Lucky #7

Yesterday, Ellie turned 7. She is growing so much and can still completely exasperate me, but she is such a joy to have around. She is so smart and has energy that is infectious. Since her birthday was on a Saturday this year, we had a lazy Saturday morning. We let her open gifts, had a Waffle House breakfast, and just enjoyed the morning. We had her birthday party yesterday afternoon at the local bowling alley. It was a blast! It was, by far, the cheapest and easiest birthday party I've ever done. AND, the kids had a great time! We ended the night watching the Dawgs pull out a win against the Gamecocks. It was a great day!

It's hard to believe that Ellie is 7. I think I say it every year on the blog, but the night of her birth still seems like yesterday. I can't blink these days, it's going by way too fast! I love her so much and hope that her intense enthusiasm stays with her throughout her life! I'll post her stats later. (if they even have any - how long do they do stats at the pediatricians office?)

Ellie woke up to gifts waiting on her

Birthday girl!

A gift from Sa and Gramps - a book titled "Ellie"

Emma and Mack gave Ellie a book light, so she could read her books in bed at night. Emma came up with this gift, which was really a great idea. Although, I've had to put limits on the staying up and reading (even though I secretly love that she is doing it - as it is one of my favorite things to do!) It's just hard for her to rise and shine at 6:30am when she's been up until 10pm reading. 

Really into reading the cards this year.

Rainbow loom kit from Mommy and Daddy. She's been begging for this for over a year and I finally gave in.  

Cowgirl boots from Daddy

And, the gift she has BEGGED for - a clip on fan that she can put on her bed to "help me sleep at night" 

Time for the party!

Ellie requested a cookie cake this year. I wonder where she got that from? 

Just getting warmed up

Emma managed to get the ball into the gutter 3 or more times. And yes, they had the rails in the gutters so the balls couldn't go in there. 

From L to R: Henderson, Sam, Emma

Tierney, Holden, Henderson, Ellie

Action shot

They decided as soon as we started getting teams together that boys would play against girls

Worth had to give Emma pointers because she was throwing the 6 lb. ball like a baseball. Pretty impressive, actually. 

Birthday girl determined to beat the boys

Great Form

Emma starting to figure this out

Mack taking a water break. He ran the entire bowling alley for a solid hour.

Tripp (to the right of Ellie) is hilarious in this picture

Singing "Happy Birthday!"

I forgot candles of course. Thank goodness my mom came through and had 3 candles randomly in her car. The bowling alley had matches. Phew!

We couldn't get the cake and ice cream passed out fast enough

Devouring is an understatement

Mack found a seat. (If you can find him in the picture)

Not sure what we were discussing here, but Ellie was very excited about it. 

My 7 year old before church this morning. 

Love this beautiful girl!