Ellie

Stuck in the middle.  This couldn't describe Ellie better, except she flourishes on either side.  There's a part of her that tugs her toward the older kids and wanting to do what they're doing.  There's a part of her that just wants to be one of the younger ones and enjoy time with them and their toys.  There's a part of her that is beautiful and precious, and there's a side of her that is such a ham and keeps us laughing all the time.  The other day we were in the car and she was making different facial expressions as she sang and danced with the music, and I couldn't pull myself together she had me laughing so hard.  She is very concerned with what other people think, and at the same time not at all.  She doesn't want to get in trouble, but at the same time, would rather do her own thing her own way.  She seems like the quiet compliant child, but ultimately her independence shows itself.  She would much rather play than do her homework, but she has really become a much better reader this year.  She is loving dance.  She loves everything about baseball, although she's never played and I'm pretty sure didn't watch a full inning when we went to a game recently, but she loved it.  Most of the time she's my hardest child to read.  I think she keeps a lot bottled up.  At the same time, she's one of the most pleasant and fun to talk to, and she loves having conversations with people.  She'll believe anything she hears, which made for some complicated discussions during the presidential election.  I know she's growing up, but to me she still has her little girl looks.  Watching her little dimpled fingers write spelling words still just seems wrong to me.  She's stuck in the middle of our hearts, that's for sure.