Happy 6th Birthday, Ella

Sorry I am late. I was off yesterday and just now am getting around to writing …

It was 6 years ago yesterday that my first and only daughter was born. At that time, I remember the excitement and all of the unknowns. Six years later, she has blossomed into such an amazing little girl. She is smart as a whip, a friend to all, a comedian in the making, and everything a dad could want in a daughter!

I got to spend the majority of the day with her, which was awesome. Her school has a program called Watch DOGS. Dads, big brothers, uncles, grandpas, etc … can volunteer at the school for the day. I signed up for her birthday and a day a month afterward.

I got to spend the morning in her classroom before shuffling to a couple other rooms later in the day. I also got to eat lunch with her, which she thought was cool. I got to go through the line with her, order some dry chicken tenders and then go out to recess with her.

After school, she had girl scouts. My wife took her there. Her cookie orders were in. We have a lot of cookies to deliver!

After girl scouts, she got to choose where she wanted to eat dinner. She chose Applebee’s. She wore her birthday hat there, so they all new it was her birthday. When she found out that she got a free dessert, she was so excited. She had to order the Triple Chocolate Meltdown.

After chowing down dinner and dessert, we made our way home. Normally, the kids are in bed early, but dinner took us a bit longer. You would think that a full meal and dessert would have filled her up. Well, she reminded us that she hadn’t had her cake yet.

Nana made her a Wicked cake, which fit the theme from the Daddy Daughter Dance last weekend.

We wrapped up the night by singing her happy birthday and, of course, having a piece of cake. I love the way this picture came out.

As I tucked her in last night, she told me it was the “best birthday ever!” I was so glad to be able to spend the day with her and that the family all got to share in her special day.

I hope that it was a day she will never forget!