Happy Birthday America! - Ellie

I have a very strict time by which I am to be in bed each night. Except, apparently, when many of my cousins and other children gather with family members to watch fireworks go boom. While groggy, I greatly enjoyed the evening.

By the time the fireworks started going boom, I was exhausted. I had only gotten a nap in the car. I sprawled across Grandma Peggy's lap and could only weakly utter the necessary ooh's and aah's.

By the end of the display, however, I was wide awake, but still too tired to be anything more than exceedingly obedient in getting ready for bed. The next day, we went on a walk in a place where I was promised amals. It was, by far, the most scarcely populated zoo I have ever seen. I did, however, get to push Ada's stroller, chase Daddy, and see ducks and a rock Mommy and Daddy claimed was a turtle.

 

Then we saw cousins, I swam (I will describe my current feelings towards swimming another time), and set off "baby fireworks." I even got to hold a couple, but mostly with Daddy's help.

All of this mayhem, lack of sleep, and danger was, in fact, a birthday party. I know not who America is, but she or he  seemed to have a happy birthday.

Day of Independence - Ada

I love holidays. I love most things, but holidays are exceptionally delightful. There are more people to adore me and an increase in exceptionally interesting sights to gaze upon. For example, we recently celebrated Independence Day, and it offered many wonders and much cuddling. I find little pleasure in what the holiday celebrated, as I personally value my dependence in many ways, but I recognize that others may appreciate the concept. The festivities began with what is commonly considered a fireworks show. It was as if the entire sky was the device known as a television, and was lit up with many colors. The main difference, however, was that I was permitted to view this television, and I was enthralled.

The next day was the actual Day of Independence, and I was treated to a walk. I love walks. I love seeing nature and spending time with my family. I will, occasionally, demand cuddles, but I find this to be a small accommodation that should be made for my comfort.

Later, we spent a considerable amount of time with family being cuddled. Altogether, I found the day to be a success.

Daddy Daughter Dates - Ellie

Daddy and I are dating. Mommy approves. He is quite the gentleman, and always pays. I try to make sure I always follow the primary rule of dates - Hold hands with Daddy the whole time. Our first date was quite exciting. First, we got to drive in Daddy's car, which was such a unique experience that I could barely control myself. When we arrived at the designated location, I was disappointed to not find a slide (I still have not mastered the ride down the slide, but that does not diminish my penchant for sitting at the top of the slide and cheering on the other children braver than myself) but Daddy took me on the up-down-amals instead. At first, I loved it.

 

I quickly became disinterested in the "up-down" part of the "up-down-amals" and clung to Daddy for the remainder of the ride. Then we got into some cars. Daddy put green paper into them to make them move, but I did not like that and departed quite quickly. I remained fond of the motionless vehicles for the remainder of the date.

 

When Daddy pried me from the automobiles with promises of more later, we got M&M Ice Cream. I ate but a few bites before continuing my quest for more vehicles.

  

Daddy then played with me at a park that was inside. I liked it, but I had to remind Daddy that, despite the presence of many children, we were on a date and I wanted to play with him and not the children. After that and a plethora of more cars, Daddy convinced me to depart with promises of playing with my own car at home. On the way, we saw the "up-down-amals." Daddy directed my gaze towards a seat betwixt the amals that I could sit upon that would go around like them but not go up and down. Daddy offered this as an option, and I accepted. I waited patiently in line, and enjoyed the whole ride. Then we went home.

 

Then, just the other night, Daddy and I went on another Daddy Daughter Date.

We got a hot dog, bread, fries, catsup, ranch, and M&M ice cream. After eating, we went to the park. When we went home, Daddy taught me a new aspect of dates. He told me to always hug at the end of a date. I kissed him. He asked me if I had fun on my date, and I gave my newest phrase for agreement: "Yeah, sure."

Eating - Ada

Consuming edibles has always been a necessity with varying levels of enjoyment. On the one hand, I get to fill my stomach. On the other, the one sustenance I have been granted via bottle is the flavor of misery and tastes worse when regurgitated, which often occurs. While I keep a brave face through the experience, I fail to remain strong when I later feel the substance hurting my stomach. Lately, however, I have been allowed to ingest new, more solidified materials. These have had mixed results. The first had the same taste as my bottles, and thus held no interest for me. 

After a few attempts, I was given far more flavorful - and colorful - quasi-liquids to eat, and I was far more agreeable.

 

Why have you not been feeding this to me earlier?

Oh, I find that I have been placed upon the table. How odd.

Nurse/Doctor Ellie - Ada and Ellie

Ellie: "Ada sick."

Ada: No, I feel quite well. That is, I do not feel ill, but I do feel like I could use more cuddles. Could I just get a prescription for cuddles?

Ellie: "Ada checkup. Poke poke!"

Ada: I do not believe that will be necessary. Not one of the phrases you have said was a complete sentence. Really, I feel delightful. Could I just get that prescription? Mommy and Daddy, perhaps we should go to a physician who actually has a degree.

Ellie: "Heart."

Ada: Hehe that tickles! Oh, alright, dear sister, I will allow you to examine me, despite your lack of knowledge, skill, or gentleness - OW!

I, 'Punzel - Ellie

At times, I will crawl around on the ground.

Silly Mommy will say "Is Ellie a doggy?"

Me, indignantly standing upright, offended: "No, Ellie 'Punzel."

Mommy asks other ridiculous questions such as "Is Ellie a kid? A good girl? A girl? A child of God? Is your name Ellie?"

I always state vehemently that "I, 'Punzel."

"Who's Ada?" Mommy asks.

"Ada Ariel," I respond. Sometimes, however, she is Anna, or Elsa, or some other princess.

"Who's Mommy?" she enquires.

"Mommy Belle," which, logically, results in "Daddy Beast!" Although, I have recently admitted that "Daddy Ba'man," in which case "Ellie Supe'man."

This means that I must always "B'ush, and b'ush, and b'ush my hair." Regrettably, my hair is not as long as 'Punzel's, so I am often reduced to brushing my shoulder.

I have always been 'Punzel. 

How to Fall Asleep - Ada

There is but one way in which a princess should fall asleep. I have fallen asleep by other means than those listed, but they are few, unintentional, and against my better judgment.

1. Demand to be Held: You must be held as a princess in order to fall asleep. This must be a specific type of hold as well - tight, soft, and rocking. If any are absent, you will stay awake. 
2. Demand a Pacifier: This pacifier must be held in your mouth. If you see or feel the person holding you remove their hand from the pacifier, promptly spit it out in disgust and scream.
3. Demand to be Swaddled: A swaddle may appear to be some form of medieval torture device, but it is quite comfortable. Note: Swaddles work best if you attempt to defeat their purpose by pulling your arms out.
4. Insist on White Noise: Nothing is better than the sound of rushing water to help you sleep. If you do not fall asleep, however, it is good for inducing a strong desire to urinate.
5. Get Hot: If one is not sweating a little from the swaddle and the snuggles, one is not comfortable enough to sleep.
6. Thrash: Vicious thrashing, scratching, and screaming periodically ensures that the servant holding you is truly committed to you. It also lets them know that you are trying to sleep, lest they forget. You have your eyes closed during this endeavor, so you can only assume that they are foolishly directing their attention at something other than yourself, which is forbidden.
7. Timing: If you are not quite asleep, fake it until you are being transferred to your bed. This makes sure the servant attending to you does not gain a false hope of escaping your quarters.
8. Wake up: If you do not fall asleep, do one of two things:
1. Demand Food: Even if you are not hungry, two gulps puts you right out. Why is it my concern if the rest of the bottle is wasted?
2. Smile: If you are startled or in any other way caused to be woken up entirely, smile profusely so that the servant may notice your beauty and thus be sucked into caring for you more.