Life With Ella

Ella played futsal (indoor soccer)  for the first time this winter.  Most of the girls on the team are from the Black Widows – the soccer team that Ella has been playing on since pre-school.  They had an awesome season and finished it off as the undefeated champions!  Ella’s skills have improved so much since she started playing futsal.  Here are some shots of Ella and her teammates – The Shadowbolts with their trophies.

 So much happiness everywhere!

Ella very tired after practice on Friday.

Ella and Mommy went to Ella’s first women’s college basketball game with Rachel, Liz and Isabel.  Stanford won!

 Colette sent these pics of Ella and her classmates on a field trip to the Bay Model in Sausalito.

 Ella beginning her fractions unit.

 Love this shot of Ella and Panda.

We’ve had quite an amazing two weeks.  I’m going to start with Spring Training.  We went to Scottsdale 2 weeks ago with the Giants Community Fund.  We had a great time with our friends from the fund, got to see Cindy, David, Bob, Jackie and Emma, and also got to see grandma, papa, Anne and David.  I’m going to start with Spring Training.

 Classic airplane shot.  Off we go!

Here are some pics from the pool…

 Ella always has a blast with her friend Jesse.

 Ella, Jesse and Bella have spent quite a few spring trainings together.

 and now for the throwback…

We had a very special morning on the field on Sunday morning.  We were able to watch the Giants warm up before the game.  Here are some pictures of the players.

And now some fun shots with the players and us!  We had some great selfies and photo bombs and some actually legit pics.

Here are tow shots of Ella and Jesse doing their work for the Junior Giants.

On Sunday evening, after a really fun day of baseball, we went over to cousin David and Jackie’s house to hang out with sweet cousin 2 year old Emma.  We also got to see Aunt Cindy and Uncle Bob who drove up from Tucson so that we could all get together.  I didn’t get any shots of the adults, but I did get some shots of Ella and Emma.  They were so sweet with each other.  Emma kept hanging onto Ella’s leg and Ella loved it!

On Monday morning, we had the best visitor!  Grandma and Anne drove to our hotel and we went to the Musical Instrument Museum.  I don’t have any shots of Anne, but I will include a little dancing video in my next entry.

 And this is what’s happening back in San Francisco.

Sweet mom and daughter

I have to go to sleep now,  I am very sleepy.  More tomorrow.  xoxoxoxo

Wednesday afternoon was a super happy special day for us!  AJ and Milo arrived in SF.  Once I got off work, I picked up Milo and AJ and we went to pick up Ella from school/camp…here is the first official shot of Ella and Milo together (with one of the CDS sheep in the background).

We had a low key evening – Milo was on NY time and fell asleep at around 7:00.  We are planning on having fun filled days and mellow nights because we don’t want Milo to get too used to the time change… he has school on Monday and needs to be able to wake up!

Day two was spent at Golden Gate Park and the Academy of Science.  Sunny came back from LA in the afternoon and we all had dinner at a local Chinese restaurant and celebrated the Chinese New Year.

Ella with the high climb!

 The kids were having so much fun playing soccer with each other!

 Not so sure that such cute kids really look that tough!

Some serious swinging was going on.

 Ella was catching a wave and Milo was catching the ball.

 Fun in the sand.  What is really mind blowing is that Milo was sledding in NY two days before this picture was taken.  It must feel good to be able to play outside in a t-shirt and “shorts”.

Cousins in the rain forest.

 Beautiful Ella.

 Tide pool touching zone…I don’t think this woman war ready for Milo’s questions!

 You can’t spend time at the Academy without hanging out in front of the GIANT fish tank!

 Morning fun at Dolores Park.

 These two love each other so much – it’s been wonderful watching them spend such great time together.

Bungee fun!

The kids were having fun on the piano steps and then Ella noticed that on the side of the building it said “Mirror House”.   The kids really wanted to go in and Jamie and I really didn’t, but we all went and the kids had fun – we were both totally panicked and disoriented.  Milo loved it so much that he wanted to do it again…and we did!

 Crazy people in the Mirror House.

 Playing “Schemer” right before Milo went to sleep.

Ending a beautiful day with bananagrams – and Ella and AJ having some decaf!

Here is a quick time lapse movie of Milo, Jamie and Ella going down the slide at Dolores Park.

Instead of excuses as to why I have been so slow with blog entries, I will just simply post stuff!  Ella has been loving life as usual.  2015 has brought futsal into our lives and Pineapple back into our life.  Ella continues to love school and life is beautiful.

 Beautiful Ella growing up right before our eyes!

 Some beautiful shots that didn’t make it into the last blog.

 Futsal – indoor soccer!  Ella’s team, the “Shadowbolts” are undefeated.  Futsal has been great for Ella and hopefully she’ll be able to take her new skills and use them on the soccer field in the spring!

 Ella is love!

 Ella and Pineapple!  Becca got Pineapple back and Ella is so happy.

 Practice before futsal.

 Ella and Stella had a special after school/evening together.  We picked up Stella from school, took her to Imagiknit for a late birthday present and then Ella and Stella had their own table at Amicis.  Incredible to watch the kids grow up together.

So to continue the amazing visit with Grandma and Papa…

 We drove to Napa and had a delicious lunch and walked around the little town.

We went to Sinskey Vineyards and Ella fed the koi.  Actually, we all fed the Koi.  They were kind of like dogs!

Family photos!

 We went to the Monterey Aquarium and LOVED the jellyfish.  Ella took some beautiful shots.

 Dessert!

 Here are some super cool shots that Ella took.

 On the way to Boulevard for an incredible New Year’s Eve dinner.

Beautiful Ella and her very sophisticated appetizer!

 Three beauties!

 New Year’s Eve family selfies.

 Panda is so full of personality.

 Ella at the MLK assembly that her class led.  Videos will follow soon.

 Ella and her best buddies.

 Ella and her sweet cousins Isabella and India.

I am going to start at the beginning of the month…it all started at a very fun holiday party for the Giants Community Fund.  Check it out…

 In the very same batting cages that the Giants take batting practice in.

Sunny and Ella making the calls from the dugout – put in Bumgarner!

 Family love from the dugout.

Having some fun with the trophies!

 Ella hanging out in one of the Giants’ lockers.

Some shots from after Annie. 

 Ella with Colette after Annie.

 As Ella is getting older, she’s starting to have her own style.  She’s been into wearing her non prescription glasses lately.

 Ella made this super cool gingerbread house at Stella’s 10th birthday party.

 Up to night 5 with Chanukah.  Ella lit a match by herself for the first time.  She also shared the menorah lighting responsibilities with her best buddies.  

These guys were having a pretty intense game of dreidel.

 Ella got her red belt last week.  She now has to begin her training for the next step – a black belt!  She’ll probably stay at this level for about 3 years.  The belt looks perfect!

 On our way to the airport to pick up Grandma and Papa!

Sixth night of Chanukah.  We are all so happy that Grandma and Papa are here! 

On an adventure to Patagonia.

 A little trip to the beach across the street from Ghirardelli Square.

Last night of Chanukah.  Guess I missed a shot on night 7!  It has been a very sweet Chanukah.

 Grandma, papa and Ella’s annual trip to the Nutcracker.

Mommy and I went on a date to see Kinky Boots.

 A walk in the hood.

 Family shot in front of the MLK fountain after seeing Annie on Christmas.  We had a great day starting with Dim Sum and ending with a walk home from the movies.

 We even braved the Exploratorium the day after Christmas.

So far, we’ve had a wonderful time with Grandma and Papa.  We are headed to Napa tomorrow, Monterey on Monday and then some more SF fun throughout the week.  We love you guys.  Thank you so much for being here with us.

So much has gone on since Ella turned 9!  Two days after Ella’s birthday, we went to uncle Jesse and aunt Heather’s place and spent the weekend with them and at Disney.  Needless to say, Ella was in heaven.  She loves being with Jesse and Heather and loves Disney.  Here are some pics from our Disney weekend with our 9 year old.

 Sweet Ella on our first morning in LA…getting ready to go to Disney.

 On the monorail heading towards the Magic Kingdom.

First ride, Star Tours!  Ella was the spy on our ship!

 Next, Space Mountain.  Ella’s face is finally in the Space Mountain photo.

The Matterhorn was our next stop.  Ella LOVED it.

Next up, Alice in Wonderland.  They redid the ride and it was so much fun.

Thunder Mountain was our next ride.  It was a blast!

A fun birthday call from Goofy and a celebration with a Disney cupcake.

 Family pic on Main Street!

 On line for the Pirates of the Caribbean.

We were stuck on line in the basement of the Indiana Jones ride.

 Ella and her buddy Olaf.

 Day two – now we are complete…Heather joined us today!

Family photo on line for Toy Story.

First show taken on Soarin’.  This is our favorite ride asa a family.  It’s not great, but it’s a first!

Still smiling on a very long line for the “single rider” Radiator Springs line.

 Mater and walking the streets of Cars Land!

Last pic of our Disney adventure.  Fun on the Little Mermaid ride.

Here is a list of the rides and attractions that we did on each day.

11/14/14

1.  Star Tours – Ella was the spy

2. Space Mountain

3. Matterhorn

4. Alice in Wonderland

5. Thunder Mountain

6. Mickey’s Maps

7. Peter Pan

8. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride

9. Pirates of the Caribbean

10. Indiana Jones

11. Winnie The Pooh (mommy and Ella)

12. Splash Mountain (mama and Jesse)

11/15/14

1. Toy Story

2. Soarin’

3. Radiator Springs

4. Mater

5. Little Mermaid

6. Monsters Inc

7. Abe Lincoln

8. Pinocchio

9. Soarin’

 Panda and his cousins!

Thank you Jesse and Heather for another amazing weekend.  We love you guys.

We came back from Disney heaven and then Sunny and I were treated to our own version of heaven – watching Ella thrive at school.  Ella’s class had an assembly and then treated us to an amazing project on the Ohlone people.  Ella’s class turned their classroom into a museum and all of the students acted as docents.  Ella was an amazing docent.

Here are some shots from the assembly and the classroom museum.

 Ella and her buddy Cecilia on some “lounge chairs” that they built.

Grandma arrived on Monday night so that she could go to Grandparents and special friends day at CDS.  Ella sang in the chorus for the grandparents.  Here is a great shot that grandma took of Ella and Emmi before they went on.

Here are some great shots that Colette took of Ella and grandma in the classroom.

 Grandma was the first person outside of Ella’s classroom to read her non-fiction book on Disney.  We are going to get to read it on Friday when Ella’s class has their publishing party.

Papa arrived on Tuesday night and on Wednesday, the four of us (mommy had to go to work) went to the Lawrence Science Center.  It was a beautiful day and it’s so great to have grandma and papa here.

 The smile says it all – Ella couldn’t be happier that grandma and papa are here.

Ella loved trying all of the different activities…

 These guys are quite a trio!

We’ve had some pretty fun games of Bananagrams.  The one above shows the creativity that Papa and Ella were exuding.  Not quite sure what a “fairice” is.

We had our traditional Thanksgiving dinner at the Crab House.  We love this tradition!

Ella was flipping like nobody’s business.  She was flipping forward and backward.  She was amazing!

 Thanksgiving selfie!

 Cool piano steps.

Off to the movies.

 We saw Big Hero 6.  We all loved it.

 Ella is super excited for this movie in July!

We got Ella this difficult puzzle for her birthday.  We all have been working really hard on it.  Ella solved it 3 levels high on Tuesday.  By Thursday, Mommy did it!

Fantastic job mommy!  You’re a genius.

 Papa and Panda during a game of Clue.

 Something seems very funny!

Today we went to the De Young Museum to see the Keith Haring exhibit.  It was a really cool exhibit.

Three amazing people. Love you guys!

 Ella kept saying, “I need that neon paint!”

 Deep.

 True love.  We love you guys!  See you in three weeks.

Oh Ella – HAPPY BIRTHDAY!  We love you so much.  You are such an incredible person.  We feel lucky to be your parents.  Thank you Ella, for all of the joy that you bring into our lives.  You are an amazing teacher.  You have taught us so much about life and love.  We can’t wait to celebrate with you in Disneyland!

Here are some pics from the few days.

Cecilia, Ella and Emmi before their last soccer game of the season.  Check out the fog behind them!

 Ella loves getting her soccer medals!

The 2014 Black Widows!

 Colette sent these amazing pictures to us the other day.  The class is making tule boats out of straw.  Ella wove her straw boat together with raffia.  We saw it today in the classroom.  It was really cool.

 First morning pics of our beautiful nine year old. 

While Ella was at school and I was running errands, mommy was busy at home making Ella’s cake.  Ella asked mommy for an “Olaf” cake.  Instead of doing the sane thing and ordering it, mommy decided to make it.  It turned out to be an AMAZING cake and Ella LOVED it!  Great job mommy!  Here are the pics…

I told you it was amazing!

We went to Ella’s school to celebrate her birthday, and then we picked up Stella and Juliet and we took the 3 girls to Benihana.  After dinner, the girls came back to our place and we had Olaf cake!  Not only did it look amazing, but it also tasted amazing.

Happy Birthday Beautiful Ella!  WE LOVE YOU.