Number 14: Unintentionally dressing in the same color and getting REALLY excited about it.
Ella is the youngest in this picture: A diva, a fashionista and an instigator in rallying together all vogue enough to don purple for Jesus’ birthday for a unbelievable photo-op.
When I entered the house, her initial shriek of excitement quickly silenced when I took off my coat, and lo and behold, “We’re matching!” Ella said breathlessly. “You’re wearing a purple dress! I’m wearing a purple dress!” I don’t see her for a minute as she runs the circle from the dining room all the way back to the kitchen, but I hear her singing of the glories of purple dresses from where I stand. I’m able to swing by the family room, say hello and receive many prompts to try a slice of each homemade pizza. By the time I get back to the kitchen to grab a plate, Ella has completed several laps in utter giddiness.
“Aiden got me this necklace for Christmas, and a ring but I can’t find it, and Juli’s dress is purple and Grandma is wearing purple too!”
“So is Andrew; did you see him?!” I reply, my enthusiasm more for the cheesy sausage and vegetable pizza warming in the microwave. Before the timer even dings, she is back with an update and a stroke of brilliance of thought. “He is. We are all wearing purple! Where is my mom? We need to take a picture! Come on, let’s get a picture.”
Grandma comes to my rescue at this point, convincing Ella to let me eat. Not without conversation though, as is fitting for ladies even during meals. The subjects of high heels and jewelry commence from this young but knowledgable source. I inform her that I too have a necklace only I left it in my car. Well, of course, I must wear it for the picture, but despair creeps onto her little face when she can’t retrieve it with me. After waiting all this time for me to finish eating, she must now wait for me to finish my small errand.
She has made her rounds again by the time I come through the back door, and at this point were all wondering just how much sugar she has consumed throughout the day, or if Christmas magic is intoxicating her too. She hears the door swing open and shut and races in to meet me.
“Jill! Jill! Wow. Your necklace is so beautiful. Now we can take our picture!!”
I wonder that her giggles have not yet turned to tears of joy. “Hurry, hurry!” She takes everyone by the hand that fits in her royal vision, and her mom is close behind with her camera and her smile.
Forty minutes in pursuit of these glamour shots (and a failed attempt at finding the ring she lost), and within 30 seconds we’ve snapped a few photos and were swapping jewelry. Three-and-a-half years old and she knows how to capture Christmas.
I love everything about this.