Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Ellie Sue at the beach. A few of my favorite pics

 Today, just a few pics of Ellie.
 Ellie is such a strong-willed little thing!  She knows what she wants to wear, where she wants to go, who she wants to be with...and pretty much doesn't stop until she gets her way or is totally shut down, but never without a fight.
 Since the summer began, she's been hanging out with "big girls" more.  I'm talking 11 year olds.
 And these are sweet 11 year olds.  But... I've noticed her mouth is a wee bit sassier when she comes home.  Has anyone experienced this!?  She sort of pops off at her mama!  OOOohhhweeee... nothing makes me hotter.
 I tell folks, and I am really not exaggerating, that Ellie is 5, but thinks she is 14.  She is always amazed that I won't let her just walk the neighborhood.
 and WHY can't she have something at every store we got to?!  "You get something at every store, so why can't I?"  (Talk about heartbroken, when this weekend at Ulta, her smart mouth got her a trip BACK to the fingernail polish to put hers up.  She was devastated!)  She laid her head down at the counter and told the check out clerk how unfair I was and she "never gets anything".  Anybody been THERE?!
 BUT... when she's sweet, she is really, really sweet.  She insists on sleeping with mama every night.  And she occasionally still wants to climb up in my lap to cuddle.
 She's my kid who perpetually wants her back scratched.  
 She is artistic, creative, very spirited, and SMART!
 In fact, I need to find out how to get her IQ tested.  I'd be interested to see!
 Ellie has little fear.  She was the 5 year old parasailer at the beach.  She'll try just about anything.  Her daddy bought her a training bike for learning two wheel bike riding, and she's been out teaching herself.  She is obstinent and persistent, which sometimes fairs well for the stubborn set.
 She will kneel down and help her sister as if she is 10 years older than her.  It's a hoot to watch this and hear her change her voice to one in which she is talking to a baby and really mentoring her! She even offers to take her to the bathroom sometimes.  I mean, she IS 13 months older than Gabs, after all.
 She is a live wire, alright.  And she will keep me on my toes for a long, long time.  I just hope I can survive these early childhood, aka "tween" for Ellie, years!
Love my sweet, smart girl.

MO

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh the smart mouth.... gotta love it!! Drives me insane!! My kids know that is one thing I will not tolerate!!!! Sweet Ellie Sue will realize really quickly to avoid the sassy....

Sam said...

Oh my! I have an 8 year old who is just like Ellie. Emma thinks if she is shopping she has to try on everything and check herself in the mirror out front. When I am shopping for me,she starts counting and tell me I only have a few minutes left! She has now starting saying duh! That is driving me crazy. I really love it when she tells me she will call her daddy and he will let her have it.
We have a lot in common. I was 40 when she was born. She was adopted and put in my arms then minute she was born. We are very blessed to have her in our lives.

Shannon said...

Bless your heart, momma. Consistency is the word. Stay consistent in discipline - with a whole lotta love.

snekcip said...

I agree w/Shannon...."consistency is the word". If Ellie is making a trip to the store w/you...always forewarn her of "the rules" before entering the store. Ellie we are getting groceries, Ellie we are "window shopping", Mommy is NOT buying for Ellie today. Make sure she understands and agrees. Then proceed to go into the store, if she starts to ask for things, remind her again of the agreement that yall made. If she makes it to the checkout w/out a meltdown...compliment her on how "good she followed the rules". If she does not follow the rules remind her that NEXT TIME she will not be allowed to "shop" with you until she can follow the rules. It always works for us and Bre AND the Grandkids LOVES to hear me compliment them on what good "listeners" they were. Just be consistent and DON'T GIVE IN!

PS Tell Ellie keep trying...she will be riding by summers end. Bre asked to take her "training wheels" off last year and we started off on the grass to "cushion her fall" and after a couple weeks she had mastered it and graduated to cement! She now rides her bike like a madwoman!! She tries defiantly to ride w/no hands to the point of me screaming "HANDS ON THE HANDLEBARS OR OFF THE BIKE YOU COME"! Sheeesh the kid thinks she is a stuntwoman seriously!! She scares me outta my wits!! She has absolutely NO FEAR!!

Kris said...

I think I told you I have the boy versions of your two - 4 boys in all. But my 10 year old has always acted older than he is and prefers the older kids, which doesn't help his mouthing off tendencies. Sure does make his sweet moments sweeter. Three days ago he insisted on learning to roller blade. He did not stop till he practically mastered it on the second day. He loves to push our buttons though, and most of the time knows when he has pushed to far. He keeps us on our toes and I love it.

Susantwilhelm said...

She is absolutely her own little self!

kimybeee said...

love the freckles on this kid!!! she is so beautiful everyday, but all tanned up with highlights in her hair is awesome!!!

I don't think the sass and independence is just an ellie thing. all kids find ways to push their parents buttons and you have one that is more mature than most 5 year olds. I am guessing that gabs is less mature than some 4 year olds with her still being so gentle and loving and not really expressing her independence yet - so you have both extremes lol lol that will be both a blessing and a curse as your kids get older.

you just love them and deal with what comes your way as it comes along. nobody likes a brat and it sounds like you are doing all the right things to curb that behavior. your kids may keep their personalities they have now or may change as they get older. when my son was gabs age he wouldn't talk to anybody - not even family. now he is president of a couple clubs, attends school board meetings and other meetings as a rep for a school program, has become good buddies with some stinkin filthy rich men in the area that has taken him under their wings and they work together on projects. if you would have told me when he was four that he would be texting with a man that owns banks and many other businesses and has put my kid in such a leadership role I would have died laughing. one of the other men is a very high profile judge. it is bizarre the connections this 17 year old kid has under his belt.

just enjoy the ride and hang on tight lol lol lol

snekcip said...

Mo, I txt you PLEASE READ!

Lisa said...

Many of her qualities will serve her very well later in life, so i'd say they just need to be redirected/harnassed in the right direction now. It does seem like you do give her all the right "outlets" for that. I totally agree with those above re consistency and setting expectations beforehand. And, don't worry about the guilt trip words "I never get anything" - we've all probably heard them - I know my daughter used them but I pretty much ignored them in public and addressed them later in the car/at home/etc to remind her of reality.

Zhohn said...

I just love Ellie! Her personality is great, she has such a love for life and fills up each and every day (Mel!). She will keep her momma young for sure! But I also know she will always love her momma unconditionally even when things aren't fair and she tells you she's mad at you.

Hallie said...

Why do you think we keep coming back and reading your blog......Spitfire Ellie and sweet sweet Gabbi.

Mama J said...

I love me some Ellie...living life large. I said before that I believe her IQ is off the charts...would be nice for you to know before she begins school...you are so blessed to have 'opposites' in your daughters. You won't be bored for sure! You are such a good Mom..

Marilyn Reynolds said...

I feel as if I know Ellie!!! and Gabby for that matter....What a sweet post about her...I absolutely love reading your blog!! I do not comment much but don't miss a day without reading it.. Thank you so much for sharing your life with us...

Beth E. said...

Ellie cracks me up! I love her creativity, humor, and her ability to live life to the fullest.

She and Gabbi are beautiful...they're just growing way too fast!

Renee said...

Consistency is the only saving grace. Glad you stuck to your guns at the store. Keep at it and she will definitely figure out you mean business.