Life With Ella

Here are some photos and a video from Ella’s class today.  We switched from a late Thursday class to Tuesdays at 4:30.  She is now in a 6 – 7 year old class.  Her focus and concentration is incredible and she loves it.

A big part of kindergarten is being able to play on the yard and structure before school starts.  Ella loves this time.  She gets to hang out with friends from kindergarten and first grade.  Ella has been into jumping rope, playing helicopter, the monkey bars and hanging on the bar.  Ella is still loving school.  She seems like she’s having a blast.  Ella also gets to see Ms. Alicia on the yard who she loves like family!  We are so happy that things are going so well for Ella.  Life is beautiful.

 We can remember the time when the only way Ella could get on this bar was for us to lift her!  Can’t believe how tall she is getting.

 Ella is our little wonder woman!

 Playing helicopter.

 Jumping rope this morning.  Check out Ella’s new sneakers.

 Hanging on the monkey bars with Brickelle and Emmi.

Ella woke up at 6:30 this morning which is so rare for Ella.  She usually sleeps in on the weekends but this morning was special.  Ella woke up to find a note from the tooth fairy and 2 gold dollar coins.  The note said, “Dear Ella, Thank you for the tooth.  Love, The Tooth Fairy.”  Ella loved the note and the coins and couldn’t believe that the tooth fairy knew her name.  So sweet.  Today we took a walk to the Ferry Building, got some great fruit at the farmer’s market and then had lunch at the Java House.  This afternoon Ella went to taekwondo and Sunny and I worked out at the gym.  We had a mellow night tonight – everyone was very tired.

Searching for the perfect fruit at the farmer’s market.

 I love Ella’s new tooth missing smile.

 So we were walking home on the water, right behind the ballpark where the boats are and we hear these seagulls yelling at another bird.  The other bird yelled back and it was an intense yell.  All of a sudden, it took off flying – it had a huge wing span and then it landed high up in a tree.  In my mind I was thinking, “What the hell was that?  An ostrich? (I know they don’t fly – Ella told me!)  Ella looks up and says, “Oh my god, a heron.”  Of course, she was right!

 Ella and her buddy Lou Seal.

 Great balance!  Ella is getting to be pretty good at taekwondo.

Ella and mommy do a lot of magic together.  Here is a little video of Ella pulling a rabbit out of a hat.

Hi dad.  Hope you have a beautiful father’s day.  Thanks for being my dad.  You are the best.  I love you very much.  We have been pretty busy these past few days.  On Thursday night, we went over to our friend’s house to do music and watch the Giants game.  We ended up only watching the game which was not a fun one but we had a great time hanging with our friends.  Here is a picture from the other night when we celebrated Sunny’s end of the week birthday. That’s Emilie, Gracie, Tess, Sunny and Ella.  Sweet birthday cupcakecelebration. Ella has been jumping her little heart out these days. Ella in her new sunglasses for Hawaii. Back together with Juliet and Stella.  They were so sweet sitting there reading.Happily back together with Stella and Juliet. We hung out with Eli and family tonight.  We all had a great time.  I think Eli and Ella especially did. WHo knows what goes on in outer space?!

Ella had a very sweet rehearsal today.  The regular teacher is out for the next 2 weeks so the new teacher has to help the girls get it together.  Ella was really into it – so into her job as the leader.  We’ll see how it comes out next Sunday.  Enjoy the pics and video.

Well… here’s an e-mail that Sunny, four other parents and I got today from Alicia:Hello:I caught your kids this morning daring each other to go up to certain kids and kiss them on the lips. I talked to all 3 of them & reminded them that we had already had this conversation about not kissing each other as well as other children. Please talk to them reinforcing our rules at school of no kissing and touching each others bodies. Thank you!It turns out that 2 of Ella’s friends (one boy and one girl) were daring her to go kiss this other boy on the lips.  She was going to do it, ended up not doing it, and it’s a good thing that it didn’t happen.  Ya never know how the other kid would have reacted.  Funny things that preschoolers do.  The other night we had to talk to Ella about not licking people (like us!).  Just another crazy stage she’s going through.After school, we came home, Stella and Juliet came over to play and have their piano lessons and then we all went out to dinner.  It was a fun night – Ella was a little sensitive but she was fine. Mom, to answer your question – Ella is not too old to believe in the tooth fairy.  Who knows when it’s going to come out, but this morning, Sunny and Ella were discussing where she may be when her tooth comes out.  Sunny suggested that Ella may be in NJ for the big event.  Ella thought that was great because there is a tooth fairy pillow in NJ! Waiting in the hallway for Juliet. Nicely, quietly eating… See food!

Ella had a great day at school but after school was where all the action was.  First, I picked up Brickelle and Ella from school, took them back here, gave Brickelle her lesson and then I took Ella and Brickelle to Blush.  They were playing with these little toys and brought them everywhere with them.  They had a lot of fun.  Tonight, Ella hung out with Stella and Juliet and of course Helen and KJ.  We all went back to Blush so Ella got her Blush for the week today! Did you find Ella’s little animal? Their little friends are coming with them to Blush.Ella Stella and Juliet hopscotching to Blush. Frozen yogurt time.  Ella needs a suntan. Making a choo choo train on the way home.

The three of us went to the game today with our friend Mary.  It was pretty cold out and although we have amazing seats, we were in the shade and cold!  The Giants lost but that’s ok.  We need to lose games in order to win more.  Ella had a lot of fun.  We bumped into one of her soccer teammates and they sat together.  After the game, we came back here and I gave Ella a piano lesson.  She has finished her first piece with both hands.  She kind of amazes me with her focus and concentration.  We’ll see where it all goes.  After dinner, Stella, Juilet, KJ and Helen came by to say hi.  The girls all played well together…no need for the talking stick.The cutest Giants fan in the world. Mother and daughter walking to the ballgame. I have no idea why Ella is giving me the finger. Family love at a baseball game. Nothing like the warmth of a Giants blanket.

Here is a little video of Ella playing some pieces that she’s working on.  The first one is “This Old Man” and the second one is the beginning of Ode To Joy hands together.  It’s pretty incredible that Ella can play hands together like this.  We’re just trying to take everything slowly so she really understands what she is doing and doesn’t burn out.  She’s doing an amazing job and continues to practice at least 5 times a week.