Life With Ella

On Sunday, we hung around the building and played with the Kim/Arena clan.  They kids played in the bamboo garden which they all haven’t done in a while.  They climbed in the tall bamboo, played with bubbles and the bubble wand and did a lot of chalk drawing.  After their outdoor experience, we all came inside to use our new popsicle maker, the Zoku.  The kids were really into watching the whole thing.  It didn’t come out perfectly, but we’re all learning how to use it.  The kids said the popsicles tasted great.  Ella started her first day of Rock Band Land Camp with Stella and Juliet today.  They all had a great time.  Ella really had fun jamming on the drums.

 Exploring with tap shoes on.  This was their nature walk of the day.

 Check out the bubble over their heads…I wonder what it says.

 KJ was great at the bubble wand.  He did it all by himself.

 Juliet was an incredible bubble maker.  She was so patient.

 Towby chilled out with all of us.

 A very happy Ella.

 Watching the popsicles get made and the finished product.

 Ella got upset with Sunny because Sunny started to take some of Ella’s stained glass art off our window.  It was old and fading and we had discussed taking it off but I guess Ella wasn’t ready for it.  The translation of the note is:  Mommy – Ask for things before you do it when it is mine.

 Here is an up beat message from Ella…I love it, yes I do

Today we went to our first game since we have been home from NY and the Giants won!  They were on an 8 game losing streak.  It was a great game and a great day.  After the game, Ella ran the bases and she escorted auntie Pie.Family pic before the game. Ella and Snoopy today. Ella and Snoopy June 2008. Ella and Charlie Brown today. Ella and Charlie Brown July 2008. Ella and Lucy today.  Lucy wasn’t around back in the day, so I don’t have another shot like the other 2. Happy family after the Giants won!Ella and auntie Pie before and after running the bases.  Ella said that she won.

It has been an incredible three weeks.  Grandma, papa, AJ, Milo – it has been so wonderful being able to see you almost every day.  We love you guys so much and can’t wait for our next adventure in Anguilla.  It has been so great to see friends and family and to be able to have an east coast summer.  Here is the last batch of pictures.  I will describe what’s happening while I put the pictures up.  It’s getting late here and I have to wake up early. Mommy – we can’t wait to see you tomorrow afternoon!  We love you! It was a very overcast day so I decided to let Ella drive us to the park. we took the kids to a park that was about 10 minutes away from grandma and papa’s house and they had so much fun.  Ella did some serious climbing and Milo did some serious exploring. Aj and I read Ella her night time books.  We took on all the different characters.  Ella said she liked it the most when I made mistakes with the words. Ella and Iya  – the floating starfish. Taking a little break from swimming after lunch. Grandma and Ella had such a blast together at the pool. Lookin’ good papa! Hanging with AJ and Milo in the kiddie pool.  Fun times! We went to the Liberty Science Center today.  Here are Ella and Milo using the digger. Sweetness! The kids playing with different kinds of diggers. Bubble fun. Ella did a great job rock climbing. Milo played with this rice for about 1/2 hour and he had the greatest time. Ella watching on from high up!Ella and grandma always have a great time together. Cousins – such a beautiful relationship. Love love love! Normyn the wonderdog. Ella took this beautiful shot of grandma tonight.  

Time is flying.  This means that we are having an incredible time and it also means that there are only a few days left.  This is sad.  It’s been such a wonderful trip.  It’s been amazing being with our family and friends.  On Monday, we went into NY to meet up with Brickelle and her family.  We spent a lot of time in Central Park at Victorian Gardens.  It’s a small amusement park and the kids had a blast.  On Tuesday, we went to Van Saun Park with grandma, AJ and Milo.  It’s such a wonder to watch kids see animals. it’s so innocent, so exciting.  It was also really hot!  The kids were great.  Ella rode 2 ponies and Milo & Ella checked out so many different animals.  It was mommy’s last night here so we had a delicious dinner at the River Palm.  It was so great having mommy here.  We have pretty much spent the rest of our days at the pool.  Ella is becoming so amazing at the diving board and slide. Ella even dove off the diving board at the Leonia Pool!  Hopefully the weather will be good this weekend and Ella will be able to hit some golf balls with papa. Fun was had by all at the Victorian Gardens.  The only ride that the kids were a little bit scared on was that giant slide.  We were also a little bit scared watching them try to work through their fear.  There was the kindest woman who was running the ride and she took Brooklyn on her lap and had the girls hold her hands. Fun in Central Park. Milo watering AJ at the Leonia pool. Strike a pose!   Ella riding the ponies at Van Saun Park.  Mommy made sure that she was close by because Ella was thrown from a horse at Van Saun Park a few years ago.  The first horse here was acting a little strange so they switched horses for the 3rd and 4th laps.  Ella had a great time. Grandma and her beautiful grandchildren waiting for the train. AJ and Milo with his water soaked head. Cousins in love. Exploring the park. We love you mommy! Ella chillin at the pool. Check out Ella’s park outfit.  I especially love the socks. Papa, Ella and grandma before our dinner at Dante’s.  Love you guys!

We had a long hot busy beautiful day on Tuesday.  First, we went into NY to meet Milo and AJ and Milo’s Music Together class.  Once again, Ella had a lot of fun doing music and chasing Milo around the room.  Twyla was fascinated by Ella during class.  It was really sweet.  After class, I took Ella to the Highline for her surprise.  Another one of Ella’s friends from San Francisco is in NY.  Ella had no idea that Emmi and her family were in town and Emmi’s mom and I surprised the girls.  Ella and Emmi were so happy to see each other.  They embraced and smiled and posed for pictures.  Emmi’s big sister Sadie was in on the secret.  We had lunch under the Highline and then walked the Highline for about 7 blocks.  We ended up at a park in Chelsea that had lots of water coming out of the ground and walls and the girls played in the hot sun for about 2 hours! After the park, Ella and I went back to meet AJ and Milo and then we went to Washington Square Park.  Ella played and played all day and then we had a great dinner together.  What a fun filled day.  Mommy comes tomorrow and we can’t wait to have fun adventures with you!  We love you and miss you. Fun at Music Together! Ella and Milo are great at driving things together. I think this was right after a somersault. Sadie, Ella and Emmi after the big surprise. Holding hands walking down the Highline.Swinging away at Washington Square Park.A little overheated and very beautiful. Milo was very busy shoveling sand onto the slide.  

Ella and Milo are quite a duo.  Ella is so patient with Milo and Milo watches every move Ella makes.  They have been having so much fun together and it’s been so great to hang out with them and join the fun.  So far we have been to the Leonia Pool and to papa’s golf club although I didn’t get any pictures from papa’s club.  Here are some shots from the past 2 days of Ella and Milo. Cousins! Playuing together at the Leonia pool. Making fish faces at Dante’s. Hanging out with Dante himself! Love all around! Crazy cousins!One firefly for each hand.   Ella and AJ hunting for fireflies. Early morning fingerpainting. Beautiful Normyn…she’s really been through it this year.  She was attacked by a dog, had a cancerous tumor removed and was recently stung by a bee.  She’s all better now. Sweeping water on the terrace. Milo was eating the bubbles that Ella was shooting at him. Ella has officially aced the monkey bars at Fireman’s Park.Grandma and Milo taking a stroll through the park.   Papa is the best swing pusher in the world.  Milo kept screaming, “Weeeeeeeeeeee!” Two beautiful firefighters driving to put out a 4 alarm fire!