~Elyssa's Birthday Photo Shoot~

ALL HAIL TO THE BIRTHDAY PRINCESS!

On January 18th our little lady turned 3.  THREE!  Or if you ask her she turned "Free!"  

(Still working on that th sound. It always makes me chuckle.)  Yes, little girl, you are three and you are free... 

Free to be whoever you want to be!  

Free to be Rapunzel if that is who you choose to be!

That's one of the beautiful things about being Three!  

(Notice the frying pan in hand, purple dress, with her trusty sidekick lizard on her shoulder.  I love that she came up with this get up all on her own in her efforts to be her latest favorite princess.)

Free to be giggly, happy or sad.  

Free to be calm, grouchy, even mad.  

Free to twirl, climb, dance or fly through the air.

Free to run, save the day, or cuddle up with a stack of good books in a chair.

Free to be your mothers daughter, which with your spunk you surely are.

Free to choose what you want in life, and reach The Brightest Star.

Yes, my little lady, you are free to be

 whoever you decide you want to be.

Dearest Elyssa,

      I love that you know that you are three.  I also love that you know you are FREE!  You are an agent, sometimes I'd dare say even a force, unto yourself.  When you know what you want, which you always think you do, you have the determination to get it and don't back down.  

       I love that when you play with your brother and his many friends you don't mind being the bad guy sometimes and jumping right into their games.  I love that at the same time you can follow around older girls too, learning to play their games.  I love that when Grandma Shannon asked you what princesses do you told her they "fight ghosts with pink swords of course!" You may be a beautiful princess, but you aren't going to sit around waiting for someone to rescue you.  You are ready to stand tall and take on your own adventures. 

     As you get older I am constantly reminded and surprised at how much you are your mother's daughter.  You have spunk and a curiosity and spirit of adventure that keeps you always willing and ready to learn but sometimes gets you into mischief.  You feel very excited and minutes later very dramatic... sometimes about the exact same thing!  Some would call us both Drama Queens, and in all honesty they wouldn't be that far off.  

     Though you are so very much like me you are also definitely your own little person.  Sometimes I can't believe you are so fearless!  You should have been born with gills because your love of the water and desire to breath under said water is exciting and frightening all at the same time.  

        I love that you told me your best friend was Alec.  What a lucky girl you are to have a brother for a best friend.  You treat Cordelia with love and she loves you right back.  I'm excited to see how your relationship with her develops as she gets older and copies your every move.  I think you're going to be a wonderful big sister.  Your siblings are very lucky to have you.

      Your father and I love you very much.  We so enjoy watching you learn and grow, developing your own unique personality.  You always want to be right in the middle of the action where you seem to learn and grow the best.  I love doing projects with you, cooking with you, putting away laundry with you, dancing, singing, and reading with you.  I love that I frequently see you sitting with a stack of books, soaking everything in.  You are the best little shopping buddy around, and a wonderful su-chef in the kitchen.  

    Remember I'll love you forever, princess, no matter what.  I'm so glad you came to our family and that we get to be a family forever.  I love that you are my daughter and even more so I love that I get to be your mommy.  Just like I tell you every night before bed...  Remember that you are a child of God.  Heavenly Father loves you.  Jesus loves you.  And I love you.  Happy birthday, princess.

Love always, 

Your Mommy