Ellie

Here is our sweet, smart, beautiful Ellie belle update.

She's doing well. Her biggest news is she is right in the middle of her first full year of school.

First day of Year 1

All of the other children in Ellie's class started Reception together the year before, so I wasn't completely sure what the transition would be like for her.

A little one-on-one time for Mom & Ellie

I was pleased to see that - though exhausted at the end of the day - she caught on quickly.

She was awarded "star of the week" the first week

I had a wonderful parent/teacher conference with Ellie's teacher where I learned she was excelling in just about every area. Her teacher seemed as surprised and excited as I was (her teacher had been a little concerned that, having missed Reception, Ellie would be perpetually behind the others). She really loves school, and Robert and I love seeing her horizons expanded with growing knowledge of the amazing world her Creator made and sustains.

One of her first writing assignments

Our beautiful walk home on nice days

In her enthusiasm for writing, she leaves the sweetest messages all over the house and can often be found writing notes to her teacher, parents and friends.

Presenting Daddy with an entire shopping bag of hand-written notes for his birthday!

She loves to read to us and recount concepts she's learning at school.

She would craft and "make" all day long if she could.

Making "Thankful Turkeys"

We decided to have Ellie to attend one after school club, and (though there were several other clubs she probably would have enjoyed more) we "helped" her choose football. Now, in the US, all good little children play soccer when they're 5 and 6 years old, so we assumed it would be similar in the UK.

Out of about 20 kids that showed up on day 1, Ellie was the only girl. And that sweet girl ran and kicked her little heart out, and then politely asked, "Do I have to go to football every week??"

We encouraged her to see the season through, even though she truly hated going. She never even sniffed a goal, but at the end of the season she received the special award for the player that showed the best sportsmanship, listened to instruction, and tried their best.

And we just gushed with pride and gladly bought her ANY ice cream she wanted.

She loves to make up plays and pretend - I have a new appreciation for the never-ending creativity of my big sister (the eldest of FOUR girls).

She jumps at the opportunity to sing on stage.

She's actually becoming REALLY helpful in the kitchen these days.

And did I mention she's a stellar big sister?

We're pretty grateful for the lively, tender-hearted, cautious and caring gift of a daughter she is to our family!

NOTE: I do realize these updates present a pretty rosy picture of our amazing but imperfect daughter, who has struggles that accompany her strengths like the rest of us. Thank you for understanding as I try to share appropriately about her in this public space.