Life With Ella

Today was the big day of Stella’s annual gingerbread house making tea party birthday party.  Stella, Juliet and KJ came over at around 8:00 this morning so that Helen and Ron could make their place fabulous for the party.  We had a great time with the kids and they were so happy and excited for the party.  The party, of course was a great hit.  This was the first year that Ella did the gingerbread house all by herself and it looked terrific.  Ella had a great time and immediately hit it off with some of Stella’s new friends from school.  I played the piano for a little bit and we had a fun sing-along.  It was really a great party.  At around 3:00, Ella and I went and picked up Ella’s friend Emmi for a sleepover.  We came back here and they went straight to the instruments.  Emmi played the drums and Ella was singing.  We left a little while later to go to see Yogi Bear.  I thought it was ok – the kids seemed to really like it.  After the movie, we came back here, and the girls really went at it with the music.  Ella changed into her Hannah Montana dress and Emmi picked a Sleeping Beauty dress.  They were jamming to Hannah Montana.  I put a little video at the end of this entry.  We had dinner, read some books, the girls giggled and giggled and now the whole house is sleeping except me.  I hope everyone sleeps through the night. Good morning beautiful people! The girls getting ready to go to Stella’s party.  Bed jumping is a very important part of getting ready. The process and the product.  Beauty. Juliet, Stella and Ron right before Stella blew out her candle. So much love.ELla and Emmi making beautiful music together.

It’s been a few days – seems like there have been so many things going on.  Friday was Ella’s last day of school until the new year.  On Friday morning, all to the parents were invited into the classroom to see “All About Me” a culminating project.  The kids sang some songs and then presented their portfolios to us.  I am going to take some pictures of Ella’s work and put it on the blog, but for now, I’ll just say that it was a great morning.  Ella was really proud to show us her work and she did a great job showing it to us.  I can’t believe how much Ella has grown up.  A little later on in the morning, the whole school had their Winter Performance.  This is always a sweet event where most of the parents cry because the kids are so cute.  The entire pre school performed “Free To Be You And Me” with a 7th grade soloist.  It was really cute – you’ll see it at the end of the blog.  Ella loved singing the song around the house and she was really excited for the performance but as you will see, she wasn’t so into it during the performance.  She said she loved it but I couldn’t tell!  She looked squished up and unfocused, but as long as she had a good time that’s cool.  On Friday night, Sunny and I helped work a faculty appreciation party at one of the parent’s house.  It was truly a beautiful evening and the teachers and administrators loved it.  Sunny and I did coat check and it was a big job!  Ella slept over at the Kim/Arenas.  Ella had a great time of course and then in the morning, we took the girls to our place.  They played really well all morning and into the afternoon.  They are really wonderful together.  At 1:00 I took Ella to a birthday party, Helen too Juliet to get a hamburger and Sunny hung out with Stella.  After the party, we picked up Sunny and then we went to TaeKnowdo.  Ella is getting it little by little ind it’s so great to watch.  With a little more time, Ella is going to be good!  After all of the activities, we came home.  Sunny and I went out to a holiday/birthday party which was great.  Got to spend some time with people we really love.  Now we’re home and getting some rest for Sunday.  First thing in the morning, we will be taking the kids from next door to our place and entertaining them until their place is ready for Stella’s 6th birthday party!!!  How exciting.  After Stella’s party, Ella’s friend Emmi is going to come over and we’re going to take then to see Yogi Bear and then Emmi will sleep over.  On Tuesday,  I am getting my tooth pulled so Ella is going to go to camp on Tues and Wed.  I’m gonna probably need some rest. Ella presenting her portfolio to us. Here are the 3 of us checking out Ella’s work.  Thanks for the pic Alicia.After lunch having ice cream and chocolate sauce. The morning after the sleepover.  Now back over at our place. Ella and her TaeKwonDo class.  What a great experience for Ella.Now for the Free ToBe You And Me movie.

Ella woke up at around 5:30 this morning complaining that she was congested.  She was a little warm and she had about 100º fever.  We gave her some tylenol and we all went back to sleep.  We took it really easy today – Ella hung out in bed and watched a lot of Spongebob which made her really happy.   I bought the Biggest Loser Wii workout game yesterday so Sunny and I did our work outs at home today.    It’s actually a really good work out!  Ella made a card for Brickelle and was feeling much better.  We asked her if she felt well enough to go to the testing TaeKwonDo and she said that she really wanted to go.  Ella did a great job in class.  All of the kids advanced to the next level.  She was really happy to get her yellow belt with a white stripe.  The video at the end of this shows her instructor giving her the belt – he says that she paid attention better than some 9, 10, and 11 year olds.  She’s really into it and is so cute when she does her thing!  After class, we went over to Phyllis and Michaels to celebrate a late Chanukah with Michael’s grand daughter Zani.  She was supposed to come to our house on Monday night but communication was messed up and she never made it over.  We are officially calling the 11th night of Chanukah “Zanikah”.  Zani is 8 and she is really sweet with Ella.  Ella thinks she is the bomb.  It was a really fun night.  Ella was a trooper.  Tomorrow is Brickelle’s birthday party.  Ella is so excited. Ella and Casi at assembly on Friday. Getting ready to go over to our friend’s house on Friday night. Making a birthday card for Brickelle. The final product! Working on her kicks. Chillin’ at the end of class. Ella and Kyle – the two white belts ab out to move up to the first yellow belt. Getting her yellow belt. Showing respect. THe belt!  It’s very stiff right now – I have to wash it a few times to get it to stay down. Relaxing with Zani watching Toy Story 2. Zani reading a bllk to Ella. Hannah, Zani, Naomi and Ella.