I got to take your preschool photos last week, and you were a total ham, reminding me of myself when I was little.

Even though you don't correct us when we call you Ella, you consistently introduce yourself as, "Rocket the Space Racer," and are still very much into space, sharks, sea creatures, legos, Octonauts, and would rather play than do crafts.

You eat everything besides mushrooms and eggplant, love watering the plants and planting seeds, finding insects, and don't ever stop moving. You love to spin, love to swing, love to bounce, love to swim and play in water.

You love to go on adventures and will sit quietly in your carseat reading for hours.

You still love kitties best of all and love it when I tell you what Squirrel is thinking.

You laugh out loud and quickly memorize the Gerald and Piggy books by Mo Willems (they are hilarious and he's a genius).

Your teacher is impressed by how well you retain information. It’s true, you know everything.

I am impressed by how well you play, both independently and with friends. You are generous and kind with your friends (and are still learning to be gentle with humans smaller than you).

You exude confidence and are so capable and are a natural leader. Your joy lights up a room, and when you're excited about something you'll start to bounce in anticipation of getting the words out. You have started stuttering again, and I think it's because your mouth is having a hard time catching up with your brain, but I am confident it will in time.

ELLA, YOU ARE A JOY.