My eldest child. My sanguine, social, fun loving Elena reached the 11th year of gracing our life with her never ending planning, constant chatter, and girly dreaming.
For her birthday this year we had our "traditional" French Toast breakfast. It was followed by a lunch of frozen taquitos, and her making "stained glass" cookies herself (instead of cake). She invited two friends to join us for her chosen dinner of Sergi's pizza. The afternoon was very thoughtfully scheduled by her:
45 minutes of outside play,
Hot cocoa while playing a board game
pizza, dessert, and presents,
a hair dressing competition to finish it off.
Opening a gift over breakfast.
The stained glass cookies she learned to make from Ma'ama.
The last year or so has been a slow and subtle phasing from little girl to young lady in many ways for Elena. Her fun loving side will forget everything about growing up while building a tower with her siblings, or playing some imagination game with them. But the times when she choses to sit and read a book instead, or just talk, or the time she spends fixing her hair or choosing her outfit are very slowly increasing. Perhaps it is mostly noticeable to me.
I am thankful that we have been able to let her grow at a slow pace. I am so thankful that this girl's childhood has stretched this long and she still plays dolls. There is no rush. Life will happen, she will grow up before we know it, so why rush it.
Her two dinner guests -- Bronwyn and Jessica
We are so thankful for our kind hearted and artsy girl. We're thankful for her many talents. Above all we are thankful that she makes our life complete. She is a perfect piece to the puzzle of our family and I can't even begin to imagine what great things she will accomplish for God in her life.
