Happy birthday, Ella!

Our sweet daughter turned four yesterday! She is growing so quickly! We celebrated her birthday all week on vacation (pics to come!) and had a party for her yesterday afternoon at Mamaw and Papaw's. She was the cutest thing yesterday morning when she woke up. Our conversation went something like this:
Me: Happy birthday, Ella! It's your special day!
Ella: Am I four today?
Me: Yep, you're four. It's a special day.
Ella: So I'm not three anymore? What happened?
Me: Your birthday happened. It's your birthday today!
Ella: Am I bigger now?
She threw back the covers, looked at her legs, and said, "Yep, I'm bigger!" Then jumped out of bed, ran to Mamaw, and said, "Mamaw, I grew!!!"
haha! So precious.

Here's the birthday girl, enjoying her birthday pancakes...
It's your birthday! Of course you can have bubble gum right after breakfast!Ella and her birthday buddy
Priceless pic of Mamaw and her sweeties. haha! I love it!

Welcome to Ella's Sweet Shoppe!

Proud Momma and babies...

And my sweet peach of a niece, Laila...

More partygoers...

Kids' table...

Time for gifts! Yea, Pez machines (and an ounce of silver) from Jason and fam!

A new Mario Bros. t-shirt from Uncle Jared! He knows how much this little girl loves to play Mario Bros. on the Wii! =)

A new princess storybook and clothes from the Martins!

A pink baseball glove, bat, and ball from Payton!

Bracelet and necklace from Great-Grandma and Grandpa Martin. They also gave her five crisp one dollar bills that she can't wait to spend!

Wait! Time for a costume change! I had a feeling by the way she kept eyeing that shirt that it was going to happen. haha!

Snow White doll and movie from Kyle and Kellie...

A sand and water table from "Gram and Pap". After watching she and Cade play in the sand at the beach, I know they are going to love that thing!

Plus lots of other great gifts that I didn't get a picture of. Could have been because Carson kept asking from under the table, "Hey, can I have more sours?" (sour patch kids) haha! Anyways, thanks so much, Everyone!

Happy birthday to you! Make a wish, Baby Girl!

Time to hit the candy shop!!

Even Cade got in on the action...

These are all so fun!

I just can't even believe how quickly these last four years have flown. Our tiny baby girl is now this bright and funny preschooler that just blows us away with her sharp and creative mind. She is so full of spunk and independence, even verging on roughness at times, but has this enormously thoughtful and nurturing spirit. She's always thinking of others and wanting to do little things to make others smile and "be so happy". I'm so proud of her for that. I love you, Sweet Ella!! I'm excited to watch you grow and see what kind of fun this new year will bring!