There are so many little things that Ellie does and says that leave me in awe. Or in stitches laughing. Or beaming with pride. Or, usually, all of the above. They are so magnificent that I think to myself "I don't have to write this down, there is NO WAY I could forget this. It's too memorable." The thing is, these moments, while all shockingly memorable and unique, are plentiful. And my mind is just not as good as I'd like to tell myself.
Ellie wants to talk to me every night before we fall asleep after we read a few stories, which she just loves (as do I). She always earnestly asks me "What did you do at work today?". She makes EXCELLENT conversation, and she really is curious about my work. She absolutely adores going to work with me. She loves calling people on the landline, chatting with people in the hallway, eating at my desk, and just plain "doing work" (typing gibberish in Microsoft Word, using Microsoft Paint, etc.). We have great night time conversations about our days and the people who love her, and she falls asleep (usually in my bed, though she does love her own Frozen-themed bed). Throughout the night, like a heat-seeking missile, she nudges closer and closer to me, and in the morning I'm basically falling off of the bed, but it's the best. She'll immediately launch into deliberate TALKING and questions, which is just adorable. She likes to start her day with "tickle and scratch" "at the very top" of her back and tummy. This is a simple routine that we do every night and morning, but I appreciate it each time.
Her memory astounds me...she remembers bits of events and conversations from when she was 1 year old. And she's a master of song lyrics - from Dio's "Holy Diver" to Taylor Swift, to Meghan Trainor, to "Let It Go" from Frozen - and the best is a mash-up of these, sung into the Frozen microphone.
Other things we enjoy are:
- The NeverEnding Story, Sleeping Beauty, The Princess Bride (and subsequent games based on these. She loves to be Malificent, and I'm usually Morla the old turtle).
- Going to "the bench restaurant" for some grilled corn and brisket (and beer for me)
- Painting pottery at "the pottery place" for friends and family
- The pool and the splash park!
- Making green smoothies together
- Jumping on the bed
- Playing restaurant (often at the park)
- Playing "vampires"
- Playing "bad bunnies"
- Going to the zoo, to ride the carousel, of course! And to get a treat after (and then also eat my soft serve).
There are too many things to remember. Even too many things to write down. Sometimes we'll be laying together and I'll just notice her little hand or foot. Or I'll notice a facial expression that melts my heart, or the way she'll chug a can of "fizzy water" so that Jacob can't have any. It's hard to describe the knowing look she'll get, or her preternatural knowledge of how to give side eye or IGNORE, or make you feel so so loved when she says "Goodnight, Mommy! I love you, too, Mommy!".
I took her over to enroll her in preschool today for next year! She seemed a little nervous, but excited when she saw the classrooms and other children. And she loved that it was only four blocks away from our house.
Such joy.
