Happy, Happy Birthday Baby!

Happy Birthday to my sweet baby girl Ella! I can't believe it's been six years since you joined our family!

For being such a tiny, petite girl now, you made your entrance to the world in a huge way! You were 9 lbs, 7 oz, and 2 weeks early! You were off the charts! I was so happy to bring you home on my birthday- what a fabulous birthday present!


This has been a great year for you. You went to Kindergarten this year, and it was so fun being at the same school together. I loved peeking into your room and seeing you hard at work, or chatting with your friends! You came out of your shell this year and made lot of really good friends.

You also showed us what a smart girl you are. You learned to read (at your own pace, of course) and we found that you are very good at math! Of course, we knew you would love art and music- PE, well that's another story!

You still do everything when you feel like it. That's how you have been your whole life and I don't expect that to change anytime soon- if ever! I have a funny story about GT testing for you when you are older! You are a girl who knows what you want and when you want it. That will get you far in life, so stick to it!

You make me smile everyday, and I am so glad that God chose me to be your mother! I love you! Happy Birthday!

She's How Old??? What???

I absolutely cannot believe that my baby is five! Where has the time gone? By the way, the girls are aging, but I am not! :)

We had to celebrate Ella's birthday a day early because of the crazy Sunday that we had on her actual birthday. First, we had our regular 2 services to sing at, followed by a dinner to help out the breast cancer walkers, followed by a long band practice, followed by our Turning Point service. Plus, we were going on vacation the next day so I also had to pack! Whew, I'm tired just thinking about it now! So, Ella got to open her presents from us and eat her cake a little early.


Do you like her new haircut? That is the fix to her cutting one side of her hair into a mullet. I cried when it happened, but the professional haircut is growing on me.


Ready to open presents!


She's a girl after my own heart... SHOES!!!


Ella feeding her baby she named MacKenzie.


Ella got a Hannah Montana Dance Like a Rockstar video that came with a Hannah Montana wig. Somehow, Madison ended up with the new wig, while Ella got one of the old ones (can you tell?)

Happy birthday Ella!

(Stay tuned for a birthday party post coming soon!)

The Graduate

Ella is officially grown-up. She decided that about two weeks before her preschool graduation. She really did look grown-up on the stage in her cap and cat (her words, not mine!) I was pleasantly surprised! Plus, while other kids on the stage were ripping each other's caps off, she sat with her legs crossed, told other people to be quiet and told other kids to wave at their parents. She forgot to strike her pose after getting her certificate, but she went right back to her mark and smiled! It was really cute. So, next year, Madison, Ella and I will all be a the same school! I can't wait to drive to one place in the morning (and of course I will enjoy not writing the check for childcare each month!)

Before the graduation


She can always find the camera (and the light!)


Singing her heart out!


The Tiger class


Something was funny!


Getting her diploma from Mrs. Crissy


Mrs. Tricia- the Tiger teacher


Ella with Mrs. Lesa and Mrs. Crissy


Sisterly love (for the moment anyway!)


Grandma and Grandpa even came in for the big occasion!



Finally, enjoy the video of Ella "helping" her classmates and getting her diploma!

Ella's Graduation from Kristen Simpson on Vimeo.

Ella's Baptism

Ella told her babysitter that she would have to wear goggles when she got baptized. She doesn't want the water to hurt her eyes.

She might be considering converting to a religion that sprinkles...

Or maybe she'll just bring her equipment for the big day!

My Little Bedhead

Ella's hair has always been...interesting. I'm too lazy to look for pictures tonight, but trust me when I say that from 6-18 months, some section of her hair was always sticking up. While her hair is a beautiful color, it is very fine and does not always want to lay correctly. So it was no surprise when we woke up to this...

After a lot of water, some clips and a little hairspray, we ended up with this!

I'm Sick and Tired of People Being Sick and Tired!

Since November, we have had the following illnesses in our house:

-2 fever viruses (no medication available)

-1 case of strep throat

-2 stomach viruses

-2 cases of the flu (one type A which is the medicine resistant variety)

-1 case of pneumonia

I am the only person who has not been sick this year! I am knocking on wood as I am typing this. I am sick of people being sick. Is that wrong???

Right now, Ella has a virus in which she runs a fever in the afternoon and evening, which means she is contagious the next day! I have missed more school days this year than I can count and I just started at my new school this year. Oh well, if anyone questions me, I have the doctors' notes to prove why I have been absent! :)

I sure hope she gets better soon, but isn't she cute when she sleeps?

The Third Time (was not) a Charm...

Ella, who is 4 1/2, had three chances to visit with Santa this year.

The first one came at preschool..

That is Grandpa sitting with Santa...

The next one came at church...

That is Madison with her friends...

The last chance came yesterday at Bass Pro. That's right, Springfield folks, we drove 40 miles to Bass Pro. I got to eat at Steak 'N Shake so it was well worth the drive! :)

That is Madison by herself. Ella would not even stand in line with us.

Even Steve and I got in on the fun. (Yes, I know my make-up is outrageous. It's stage make-up.)

I give up. Maybe when she's 12...

What a Difference a Week Makes

**This was a post I wrote yesterday. I was just waiting to get my pictures organized, so I didn't post it. I spoke too soon....

After 6 days of running a fever, Ella is back to normal. See below...

The one good thing about this illness is that she has learned to use a thermometer. It took four and a half years, but she no longer screams when I take it out of the drawer!



On a side note, Steve has the flu, but is doing amazingly well. He even took Madison to a party today! Go figure!

** So that's what I wrote yesterday. I wasn't singing this morning, so Steve went on to church while the girls and I slept in. I got up and was starting to get ready when Madison came down and said that she didn't feel well. That's right- you guessed it-, she's running a fever! She's actually doing ok this afternoon, but around here, you never know!

On the plus side, I have a new appetizer for Thanksgiving from the Barefoot Contessa. I also have a ton of Thanksgiving leftover ideas from the Food Network!

Santa- We're Working on it...

When Ella first met Santa, she loved him...

It was downhill from there. (I love Santa's face in this picture!)

Here is last year's picture. Who's missing?

So we're working on it. It's a good thing that Ella has such a wonderful (and bossy) big sister to help her with her fear!

So, being the bossy- I mean wonderful- mother I am, I made Ella take an oath promising to sit with Santa. Come on- I want a good picture! :)

Happy Election Day!

She Likes You... She Really, Really Likes You

Ella "writes" all the time. She uses more paper and loses more of my pens than I can count! She was writing in her journal the other day, so I asked her what it said. This is what she wrote.

And of course it ends (as all videos of her do) with her saying she wants to watch herself! She's truly a digital kind of girl! :)

Ella's "Wii" Moment... if you know what I mean!

I think Ella's reaction to yoga is quite common... and funny!

Notice what is next to her as she is exercising........

her empty bowl of brownies.............

$4 Goes a Long Way

Who new $4 could get you so much? Steve took Ella to Dollar General today to spend her birthday cash from my parents. He threw in an extra dollar to buy the lovely stroller.... which is just what she needed because she only has 3 others! :) Ella and her baby say thanks!

Ella's First Birthday (Party)

Steve and I decided that 4 was a good age to start the birthday bash thing! Madison had her first party at 4 as well.

We had Ella's party at a park in Midlothian and invited her best friends from church. The kids played while the grown-ups talked. The kids ate dirt (Oreo cookies, vanilla and chocolate pudding with gummy worms on top) while the grown-ups tried to keep dirt off the kid's clothes. JD was the best! (See below! :) Ella got great presents, including the cheerleader outfit that she asked everyone for and a Hannah Montana guitar with a microphone. We had a great time!

I can't believe my "baby" is 4!

The kids loved eating dirt..............

........especially JD!

She got her cheerleader outfit! (Thanks Kennedy and Hunter!)

Being a rock star is very hard work!

Happy Birthday Ella!