7 years

 

Ella is 7.  She still seems like my little girl, but sometimes she also seems like she is so much older than her age.  I can only hope she will also be wise beyond her years.  She is still super smart, and a super reader.  She got a set of 3 chapter books (3rd or 4th grade level) for her birthday from Grandma Draper and she read them all in less than 3 days.  She loves getting books as gifts, but it has started to frustrate us because she goes through them too quickly--but I guess it means she likes them.  She has come out of her shell a lot over the past few years and I would no longer call her shy at all.  She is not loud and super-outgoing, but the shyness has disappeared for the most part.  School has really helped with that as she has needed to give a number of oral presentations in class and has had to learn to speak up and have confidence.  She is still the best big sister around and is constantly being reminded that she needs to be an example for the little ones. . .I don't know that she appreciates that reminder all that much though.  This year we have moved around bedrooms and Ella now sleeps in a room with Myla and Maggie and Hadley share the other room.  Ella and Myla seem to be developing a good bond, as Ella loves doting on her and Myla seems to enjoy being the recipient.  In her free time she loves any kind of craft project, loves to read, draw, do crosswords or Sudoku games, ride her bike, and play with friends.  She is still playing the piano and doing really well with that.  We set her up with an email account this year and she has really enjoyed emailing her grandparents and cousins on it. She is very into picking out her own accessories and the outfits that go with them. . .just like any other girl her age I suppose.  She is happy most of the time, but when she is angry she has also been known to display quite the temper. . .we will do our best to work on that one!  :)  Ella is really just a good girl, and we are blessed to be her parents and to have her in our family.

 

 

Ella's favorites at age 7:

 

Favorite color: Purple

Favorite friend(s):  Annie, Emily, and Haley

Favorite Book: Whatever After Series

Favorite Food: Pineapple

Favorite treat: Reeses Peanut Butter Cups

Favorite thing(s) to do: email, ride bikes, swim, read