Ella is 9! How did this happen? She is one year away from double-digits, as her Uncle Marty pointed out, and halfway to 18. Adulthood. Old enough to leave home, get a tattoo, and jump out of an airplane (and you know she will - Mom-Mom Lindy will have to take her). My favorite thing about Ella's 9th birthday is how much her friends seem to get her. She has had a bumpy time with peers this year, being the target of some teasing. So, when her birthday party buds presented her with adventure/fantasy books, card games, dragons, a blinged out locking diary complete with feathery pen, and a HOBBIT ROBE (I know, right?), this mama's heart was warmed. Also, there was a dragon cake. "Wait!" You are saying. "You skipped Christmas!" Yes. Yes, I did. Christmas was amazing and lovely until it wasn't. Again, we were knocked over by the generosity of our parents and other family members. We had multiple celebrations, received incredibly thoughtful gifts. and en