Ella's Third Birthday!

We celebrated Ella's third birthday today with a fun beginning and end to the day.  We started off this morning with the kids and I eating waffles with whipped cream and strawberries in the dining room before rushing off to take Lia and Logan to school.  It was then just another day around the house until this evening when Lia and papa got home from school and my parents arrived from Issaquah.  The weather was actually nice enough for the kids to go outside and play with Ron and my mom for a few minutes while I finished up dinner.  We then ate a delicious dinner of roast beef and real mashed potatoes with all of the fixings in the dining room.  After opening gifts, we sang "Happy Birthday" to Ella before diving into her homemade Ariel cake that I had made earlier that day.  After watching her two, older siblings get to be the center of attention for their birthday parties in the last few weeks, Ella was more than happy to finally have a turn.  She was such a cute, little birthday girl today and thoroughly enjoyed all of her gifts and soaked up all of the attention.  Happy Birthday, Ella Avalon!  We sure love you to pieces!

Ella smiling at me before blowing out the single candle on her birthday waffles this morning.

Blowing away!

Ella's Ariel cake that I made for her.

Grandma and papa watching the birthday girl ride her bike.

Sweet Ella stopping to give me a smile.

Papa pushing Logan and Ella on the swings.

Ella changed and all ready for the party to start with her Merida dress and crown on.

The family gathered around the table during dinner.

Sweet Ella starting to open up her gifts.

Showing off her new Anna doll.

Lia, Logan, and mama helping Ella open her gifts.

Two adorable sisters.

Showing off Ella's new Anna gown from the movie, Frozen.

Logan was able to open up a belated birthday gift that had arrived the day before from Aunt Austin and Uncle Robbie.  Needless to say, he was absolutely thrilled and started jumping and screaming.  I just love how his belly is showing in this picture.

Logan (who had already put on his pirate costume before the party) ran upstairs to get the pirate ship we got him for his birthday so that he could play with both sets at the same time.

Ella and Lia ran upstairs after the gift opening was complete to play with Ella's new tea set on her bedroom floor.  

After getting Ella back downstairs, we sang "Happy Birthday" and watched her blow out the candles.

Lia had to help her out a bit.

Logan pretending to cut the cake with his pirate sword.  Such a funny boy.

My birthday girl enjoying her cake and ice cream.

And Logan doing the same!