6 Year Interview

My girl still calls me "Mommy." She is a mix of sweet and messy, sassy and shy, prissy and tomboy. She's growing up fast these days, but she still loves to cuddle her stuffed animals. She wants so badly to be independent, yet she rarely wants to leave my side. She's reflective and deep. We butt heads more than I care to admit - sometimes because we are so different, and sometimes because we are so much alike. She can drive me crazy in two minutes, but the second she's off on her own I miss her and want to go find her. She is well loved by everyone in the family - and she loves being the center of attention. She loves to have her picture taken. I never have to ask her to pose in any way because she's always got a pose of her own. Getting her to look at the camera, though, can be a challenge. This girl has a big heart for other people, prays for Kenya and Haiti often, loves most foods, and is generally peppy and perky with a smile to share. She's sensitive and creative; quirky and silly. She has the best cackle laugh EVER!! My girl is my girl. :)

One of my favorite traditions is the yearly interview with my kiddos. It's fun to watch how they change interests as they grow. I love the things my 6 year old girl has to say:

(M)ama: What do you want to be when you grow up?

(E)lla(Beth): A chef.

(M): Why do you want to be a chef?

(EB): Because I like to cook and make new recipes!

(M): What is your favorite thing God has made?

(EB): Dirt.

(M): What is it you like about dirt?

(EB): I like that I can add water to it and make mud. (Ewww. We are SO different in some areas.)

(M): What is your favorite color?

(EB): Purple.

(M): What is your favorite food?

(EB): Shrimp.

(M): What is something you don't like to eat?

(EB): I don't like hotdog buns with my hotdog. (News to me...)

(M): What is your favorite song?

(EB): Anything by Taylor Swift!!! (Lots of excitement!!!)

(M): What are you looking forward to about being 6?

(EB): Being a bigger girl and doing things on my own. (Oh dear. She really is growing up.)

(M): What is your favorite thing to do?

(EB): Get muddy!!! (And her clothes have the stains to prove it.)

(M): What is your favorite thing to wear?

(EB): Either dresses or mud clothes. (Such a paradox, this girl.)

(M): What is your favorite TV show?

(EB): "Call of the Wildman" aka: "Turtleman" (If you have never seen this, please do yourself a favor and google it. It's hilarious, hillybilly, and it cracks me up that this is her favorite thing to watch!)

(M): Who is your favorite friend?

(EB): Kaitlin

(M): What is your favorite thing to do with Mama?

(EB): Spend time just you and me. Oh, and painting our nails. :)

(M): What is your favorite thing to do with Daddy?

(EB): Go camping.

(M): Do you like school?

(EB): Y-E-S, yes!!! (Whew...at least she can spell!;) )

(M): What is your favorite thing about school?

(EB): Art. I love making things!

(M): What is your favorite thing about Landon?

(EB): How he treats me and how he shares with me. (Melt.)

(M): What is your favorite thing about Porter?

(EB): He's just so cute, and I really like when he smiles at me.

(M): Where is your favorite place to go?

(EB): Menchie's.

(M): What does Daddy do all day?

(EB): Most of the time he works.

(M): What does Mama do all day?

(EB): Feed Porter, change diapers, take care of us, feed us, help us with school. (Well, at least it doesn't go unnoticed!)

(M): What is your favorite restaurant?

(EB): Golden Corral (My least favorite. By far.)

(M): What do you like to eat on your birthday?

(EB): Ham and Pineapple pizza.

(M): I love you, Sweet Pea.

(EB): I love you, too-oo-oo-oo!

And she is 6!

I can not believe that my girl is SIX years old!! But she is, and we have had a great time celebrating her this week!!!

It starts with waking up to streamers hanging from the door.

We had a family pool part this year. Fun and simple. :)

I can't believe I have a little girl who is BIG enough to swim in the deep end. Crazy!!

And no 2012 pool party is complete without Olympic competitions.

There was the diving competition.

The back dive competition.

The full twist.

The jack knife.

The tiny fella was so tired, but kept holding out on his nap so as not to miss any of the excitement.

 Time for pizza, cupcakes, and presents!

It's funny to me how Ella Beth loves to be the center of attention, but when she's expected to do something (like blow out candles, perform in some way, etc), she gets embarrassed or shy. 

Presents!!!

Can't wait to take this kite to the beach. :)

Wishing for cooler weather.

And her big gift from Mama and Daddy - a real guitar. She wanted a red guitar like Taylor Swift, so we got her a Lauren 1/2 guitar. Hoping that she enjoys playing and taking lessons. :)

But when asked to strum a few chords...she gets shy again. ;)

Family shots. :)

I wanted to have something small to give Ella Beth on her actual birthday. And what better way to get excited about school starting than to give the kiddos...

classroom pets?!?!?

 Say hello to Skippy

and Spirit. :)

We invited some close friends over for cupcake decorating on her actual birthday, too. I am all about simple these days, and this was the perfect way to go. It was fun and easy - and the kiddos had a great time!

The birthday girl with her first cupcake.

Kaitlin

Isabelle

Miss Amber and Scarlett

And we even allowed boys to participate. Just at a separate table. ;)

Then the boys went and made a total disaster out of Landon's room with guns, trains, tools, and his dirty clothes (???) while the girls were treated to manicures. :)

Jocelyn spent the night, and the girls played girly things all night.

Ella Beth has been asking to feed Porter a bottle for 4 months. I told her that she could feed him one on her birthday, and she didn't forget.

And Landon wanted a turn.

And so did Jocelyn.

Porter wasn't so sure about being passed around during his bedtime feeding, but he endured it. ;)

It was such fun celebrating our BIG girl. Love her to pieces. :)

Multitudes on Monday

1217. no rain on a day when a little girl wants a pool party

1218. Landon's "dive" into the pool

1219. three healthy children

1220. successfully taking three children to church all by myself

1221. Color Wonder markers

1222. Clorox 2 (for when Color Wonder markers aren't used)

1223. slowing down

1224. taking time off from school to re-group and re-focus

1225. Do-A-Dot markers

1226. the anticipation of surprising my kiddos with an AWESOME surprise

1227. country cooked green beans

1228. white corn

1229. watching a storm roll in as the leaves rustle on the trees

1230. baking cupcakes with the older two kiddos while the tiny one naps

1231. an adaptable baby boy who is such a trooper

1232. Mimi - who so generously provides great gifts and fun "pick me ups"

1233. Nana - who helps me remember the details as I prepare for a birthday party

1234. watching videos of Ella Beth as a baby...since she's about to be a truly big girl of SIX!

Hebrews 12:28-29, "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,  for our 'God is a consuming fire.'”