SIX

I don't know what it is about 6, but this one was harder for me to swallow.  It just sounds so... old.  Like we've suddenly crossed this threshold.  But I have to say, 6 has been beautiful thus far.  It's like she made this mature transition overnight when she turned 6.  She is so much more attached to me, less moody, so helpful, and such a big help with Marek.  I know we have challenges ahead of us, but I can look back now and say that ages 4 & 5 were the hardest for us.  Lovin' 6!!!  It's been so awesome watching our girl grow up.  She brings such joy to our lives, and such giant smiles to our hearts.

She even wore the tiara to school :-)

My word, how you've grown, Mookie!

Opening up a birthday package from the Soto gang in Buffalo...

For lunch that day, Marek and I came to eat with Sissy and brought along some doughnuts for eveyone.  Ellison is always so proud to have Marek in the room and sitting by her. :-)

Ms. Swartz's class

Ellison got a special sticker, and Ms. Swartz had her stand up for everyone to sing to her.

It was sweet how shy she was acting about it.

Back home playing Legos with Brother Bear.

At 6, Ellison is an excellent student.  She does very well in every subject, and is well behaved during class according to her teacher.  A few of Ellison's favorite things: the Legos Friends sets, painting nails, being outside, collecting things, animals (she still sleeps with about 50 of them), playing games and on the computer, and just about anything crafty.  Ellison is easy-going in that you can get her to enjoy playing with anything, as long as you play with her.  She loves having a companion.  Ellison's favorite foods are chicken nuggets from Wendy's, pasta, and breadsticks from Little Caeser's.  And she would drink white milk all the time if you let her.  Ellison still likes to have us lay with her for a few minutes while she falls asleep at night, and it's not something we sweat.  We know when she's 13 she's not gonna want us like that anymore.  Ellison is very tender-hearted, intelligent, and sweet - she's turning into quite a snuggler, much to my delight!  Ellison easily makes friends, and has a few in particular that she seems closer to in her class: Riley, Samuel, Mason, and Natalie.  But I'm glad she gets along with everyone.  One thing we love about Ellison is her faith.  She accepted Jesus in her heart from a very young age, and it's so beautiful to watch that relationship grow.  She loves going to Awana and Sunday school.

Ellison, you are such a beautiful blessing to the three of us.  We are so incredibly privileged to call you family.  We know God will use you to do great things in this world!  We love you so much, Buggie!!!

[November 5, 2012]