Life With Ella

Ella, Stella and Juliet were in Rock band Land Camp this week.  They all worked really hard on writing a story, making it into a song and then performing it.  We had the pleasure and honor to see their performance today.  They were all outstanding!  Ella rocked the drums and Stella and Juliet rocked the vocals.  Here’s the video.  More pics later.

Ella, Stella and Juliet are in Rock Band Land Camp this week.  They are having  blast!  Ella loves having the girls at her school and the girls are meeting lots of Ella’s friends.  The band has a concert tomorrow (today if you’re reading this on Friday) and papa is coming to town in the afternoon.  He is going to get to see the performance and Ella is so excited for papa to see her and of course for Ella to see papa.  In a few days, we get to see the rest of the beautiful family – grandma, AJ, Milo and so many wonderful friends.  We’ll miss mommy but she’ll be joining us for a very long weekend so that is amazing.  Back to the music…last week, when we went to Benihana with Kristen and Emmi, Kristen got the girls little note pads.  They both started writing like crazy once we sat down.  Emma wrote a really sweet letter to Ella about being friends forever even though sometimes they get mad at each other, they really do love each other.  Ella said that she was writing a song but she didn’t want us to see it.  Of course, I snuck and read it and then was so blown away that I took a picture of it.  Here it is:

It says, “I love the sweet love that I, every morning wake up with.  It’s so rare for some people but I am going to fly.  I am going to fly but maybe temporary.  Whether I am shaped like a domino it doesn’t matter so I am going to fly,  I am”.  Deep stuff.  I admitted that I read it and she was a little mad but also really happy that I loved it so much.  She won’t tell me the melody.

When I went to pick the girls up from camp the other day, I couldn’t find them until I headed over to the farm.  They were all working hard raking hay.  Here are a few iPhone shots.

 OUr little urban farmers.

 In the beginning of the week, Panda ripped his fingernail almost off.  He had to get it removed.  Here he is post surgery.  He was pretty doped up, but still very sweet.

 Here is Ella seriously rehearsing her song from Friday.  She’s actually going to be drumming during this song.

We went to Gilroy Gardens today with Ella’s friend Marlowe and Marlowe’s mom.  We had a great time.  It warms my heart to see that Ella is still into going on silly kid’s rides with plenty of excitement.  It was really hot there today – 99º!  Here are some pics from the day.

 Beautiful Ella at the beginning of the day.

 Marlowe and Ella about to hit their first ride.

 The bouncing fish ride.

 See the little thrill in Ella’s face.

 On the artichoke ride.

 The caterpillar.

 Sweet Ella drove me around the track.  She was very serious about her driving.

I am super tired but wanted to post this.  Ella came to work with me today.  She had a blast.  She especially loved the 6th grade class.  She played drums with them, sang a few songs and interacted with them on such a mature level.  The kids love Ella.  After work, we met Ella’s friend Marlowe and her mom at Lucy Strike for some afternoon bowling.  After bowling, we met mommy ar the burger joint for dinner.  it was a really full day.

 Ella and some of my 6th graders.

 Here they are singing “Beautiful”

 Ella and the 6th s Grade group.  They were terrific.

 At Lucky Strike with Marlowe.

 Ella is quite the little bowler!

The Burger JOint with Marlowe.

 We started our weekend about to get a puppy and ended the weekend getting a small orange Prius.   It was time to give up the city car and we needed a second one.  It’s pretty cool!  This weekend, Ella Stella, Juliet and KJ friday night movie night and then the girls slept over.  It gets easier for them every week.  On Saturday, Ella had taekwondo, and then a birthday party and then she went and slept at Stella and Juliet’s.  Rumor has it, they had a blast.  Sunny and I spent some lovely time together and had dinner at Lucky Strike.  We didn’t bowl. but we had a lot of fun!  Today, Ella spent a big part of the day with helen and Ron (thanks you so much) while Sunny and I bought a second car.  Time to say goodbye to the city car.  After the car, Ella a had a playmate with her buddy Hannah from ballet.  Tonight we had a great dinner at Moki’s with Kate.  The end.

 Ella an Friday in the rain.  She loved her puddles.  Check out how deep the water was?!

 A very serious part of the sleep over.

SO much fun at Taekwondo.

Fun fun fun at Pump it up!

 We bought a new car today…an orange Prius.  It will be great second car.

Goodnight.

I want to share some video I shot during ELla’s winter performance.  It was absolutely beautiful and sweet and very meaningful for the kids.  We are off on our vacation adventure tomorrow and we can’t wait!

Happy thanksgiving everyone out there.  Hope everyone got what they needed today.  We had a great day.  We leisurely woke up, watched the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, went to see Happy Feet 2 in 3-D IMAX (a little too much) and then went out for dinner at the Crab house.  What a wonderful day to all be together.  We were home by 6 and we were all ready to go to sleep!  Ella played some games and we laughed and talked.  Now I am very tired.  Too tired to post this so I have also added Friday.  We can’t believe how the time has flown by.  It’s been so fantastic having grandma and papa here all week.  We love you guys.  Can’t wait for our family vacation in December.

Having a blast at Happy Feet 2.

 You can’t tell from these shots, but Ella did some seriously high jumping today.

 We all loved out delicious early dinner at the Crab House.  We all wore our bibs proudly.

Jesse and Heather came by for breakfast today and brought one of their dogs Shirley.  Ella loved getting to hold her.

 This afternoon, we went back to Pier 39 because Ella wanted to go to the aquarium with grandma and papa.  It’s funny how much Ella loves that place.

 Tonight we had dinner at Benihana.  These last few shots are of the people in the last shot singing happy birthday to Papa.  Check out Ella in these pictures.  She was seriously cracking up.  Papa was a great sport.  He normally would not like being the center of attention, but he just rolled with it.

 The Benihana family photo.

 After dinner, ELla, grandma and mommy played Wii Just Dance.  A great time had by all.

Happy birthday sweet Sweet Ella.  You are so wonderful.  you are such an amazing person.  We love you so much and can’t wait to celebrate you!

You are the greatest.

hopefully this will work…

 Ella with her friend Tessa at school.

 Ella with two of her favorite friends, Leo and Luke.

 Trick or treating in our hook before meeting up with Stella, Juliet and KJ.

 Ella took this one of herself.

 Ella was sporting a double braid today.

 Ella and her favorites!

 The prince and his royal cat.

 Ella and Juliet having a blast together.

 Action shot on 24th Street.  Ella bumped into one of her classmates who hung out with the girls for a little while.

Ella and her thrid grade friend Gracie.

When we have conversations with Ella, you can just see how much she is learning and growing and soaking everything up.  Her vocabulary is increasing every day.  This may have to do with the fact that Ella watches My Little Pony over and over and over and those ponies have really good vocabularies.  Whatever it is, it’s really wonderful to be a part of!  Here are some shots from ballet today.  Ella loved class and was really into it.