Letters to Ella -- 2nd Edition

Dear Ella,

Last week I had the privilege of spending an entire week with you and your daddy in Disney World, just us.  Wow is that place amazing.  I hope that you remember it when you get older.  It was such a great time.  There is something so magical about that place.  I'm baffled by it, but you just can't help but be happy there.  Well most of us were that way.  You found ways to be unhappy, if only momentarily, but I think it was just your age.

You were super happy and fun and then would turn rotten in two seconds flat.  You made me laugh.  Some moments made me tear up.  I love spending time with you and was so happy we were able to take a vacation like this with you when you were an age where you get so excited over things.

We did everything we could while we were there.  We saw so many princesses it was unnatural.  You only talked to half of them.  For some reason you would side eye or freeze completely with the other half.  You wouldn't talk to Tinkerbell.  You barely talked to Rapunzel.  You and Cinderella discussed your "slippers."  And you would barely smile for Anna & Elsa.  But you talked most to the evil stepsisters and stepmother from Cinderella which you were convinced were nice.  And they were.  They were very nice to you.  I kind of loved them with you. 

You were exhausted, comical, lovely, and frustrating... a great combination if you ask me.  You kept us on our toes.  You surprised us.  You found favorites and we realized that there are something's out there that do scare you.  You'd be scared in the moment and then tell us you were only a little scared later and that you really liked it.  You picked up on things we didn't think you'd notice and you even noticed and remembered details that we didn't over the few days we were there.

It was so much fun to see your face.  Even when you were scared.  Or only a little scared as you said.  We rode "It's A Small World" 4x while we were there and the last 3 I just watched your face and expressions.  You would sing every moment you could get.  You even sang through the fireworks!  At the top of your lungs and people started looking at you.  We tried to shush you a little but then realized it didn't really matter.  Always sing when you want to!  It's a good thing...
It was such an amazing trip that I can't wait to take you somewhere else new again!  Even though for the last three days you've asked to go back to Disneyworld, I think we'll try to find something new. 
Love,
Mom

Letters to Ella { 1 }

Dear Ella,

Wow.  You are growing so fast I can't even believe it.  You are two!  And you are so smart and funny and all the other things moms will say about their little ones.  But you really are.  You really are very smart... picking up everything we say and do, having full conversations with me and your dad (and starting your own!).  You are aware of everything going on around you and you just love every bit of it.

You are so funny.  So funny.  I laugh at you everyday.  In a good way.  Yesterday Louie had gotten into some trash and it was all over the floor and you walked in and said "Damn Dogs!"  I had to bite my tongue not to laugh.  You swear Princess Jasmine is an ice skater.  You say silly things all the time.  You laugh when others laugh loud so they will hear you and laugh more.  You love to be the little clown.  I hope you keep all of this humor.  I hope nothing dashes it down.  Humor can help you through a lot of things and times.  I hope nothing breaks you of your comic-ness.

You know you are cute.  So stinking cute.  You look adorable in whatever you have on, or even if you are defying us in getting dressed, your little tushie looks pretty cute running around all over!  Your smile is sweet and perfect.  Your smile makes others smile.  My mini model.  You love wearing dresses and dancing.  Compliments come all the time on just how cute you are.  But don't let that get to you... I hope you don't get a big head.  Beauty is not everything.  There is so much that goes into beauty that is more than what we see on the surface.  Not all Beautiful People are Beautiful People.  I hope that you become a Beautiful person.  Even more than you already are. 

You are strong and defiant in more ways than one!  You love to climb and jump and slide.  You have very little fear.  Some is good. Last night you were jumping off your bed.  And when you are ok, you let us know by saying "I'm ok Mom/Dad."  We just hear thuds and wait for your ok that you are ok.  You are in gymnastics now and that wears me out. I wish it would wear you out, but you might be one of the strongest in the class.  And I'm not lying -- your father and I already talked about how we would tell you if you sucked at something ;) Don't let your defiance and stubbornness get in the way.  You will grow out of certain aspects of it, but I hope to instill in you the knowing of when to obey and listen rather than question.  Continue to question!  Don't always just take things as they are.  Questioning is something good.  It's how we grow and learn.  But don't do it out of spite or anger. 

You are smart and kind.  I hope that your father and I can continue to give you what you need.  We will not always give you what you want.  I hope you don't fully remember these first couple years because you got a lot of what you wanted.  Everyone should want a little bit.  I think it makes you work harder for things in the end.  Handing it all to you would be in an injustice to you.  You are smart and you will learn that there is always a means to an end.  If you want something bad enough, you will find a way to get it.  If you need it, we will provide.  Remember that not everyone has everything.  Certain things in our lives are a privilege and just know that there might be a friend of yours who doesn't have that.  Be conscious of that.  Money doesn't grow on trees and not everyone is as fortunate as the rest. 

I will do my best to make your life wonderful.  But know that along the way I will attempt to teach you about life.  About hard work.  About love.  About family.  About fun.  About others.  About gratitude.  About respect.  And about many many other things.  Life will not always be easy.  And I hope it's not.  But I hope it's easier than mine.  I hope to give that to you.  I hope to be able to keep your life worry-less and fun but not so much that you become carefree and unaware.  You probably think you have it tough now, but believe me, there will be many more tears in about 14 years.

We love you.
xoxo,
Mommy