Life With Ella

Ella had her last t ball game and then we had an all t-ball picnic and trophy ceremony.  The kids who showed up had a blast.  It was a great season.  Ella is very proud of her very first trophy.  Here are some pics from today. Ella really wanted to play catcher and she did a great job in the first inning! Ella had quite a swing today. Ella was having a great time with her buddy Luke in the outfield. Playing around with Rosie. Team pictures. Beautiful Ella and her baseball trophy.

School is almost out for the summer and that means something monumental for Ella.  Tuesday will be Ella’s last day as a preschooler.  It is very exciting and very emotional for us.  Friday was the Leaping Lizard’s last assembly.  It’s amazing how far Ella has come.  Ella spent the first 4 months at school crying at assembly including crying through the first Leaping Lizard assembly. Watch the video below and see how confident Ella is now.  Ms. Alicia is the greatest!  We feel so lucky that she was/is such an important part of Ella’s life.  Grandma and papa were supposed to fly in on Thursday night at around 9:00 but their flight was delayed by 8 hours!  They finally made it here at 4:00 am.  Ella finally fell asleep on Thursday night but woke up super early to go snuggle with grandma and papa.  We all love having you guys here.  We picked up Ella early from school on Friday and at Ella’s request, went to Nordstrom for lunch.  After lunch, we all relaxed so that we would have enough energy for the ballgame at night.  The 5 of us went to the game and had a great time.  The Giants won a very tight game in the 9th inning and then watched a beautiful fireworks show.  We got home at around 11:30 which was way too late for all of us but the night was so worth it!  Today, papa had to go to meetings, mommy did her volunteering to collect baseball gloves for the Junior Giants, and grandma, Ella and I hung around the house.  Ella has a little cold and we want her to get some good rest.  We went out for lunch with some cousins who were in town and Abigail joined us.  It was a really nice lunch.  Ella hung out and watched movies with grandma and papa for the rest of the afternoon.  Tonight, grandma and papa went out to a dinner with some doctors and the 3 of us hung out at home and relaxed.  We all need rest this weekend.  Grandma and papa’s trip was super short but it was so wonderful to see them.  We love you guys! Ella and Ms. Alicia on Friday before the assembly.  We love you Ms. Alicia! Hi Ella! The assembly is about to start. Ella and most of the LEaping Lizards. Drumroll please… Our beautiful happy girl. After our lunch at Nordstrom. Walking down the famous hallway with papa. Heading into the game. Pure happiness and love all the way around. All bundeled and ready to win a ballgame! 7th inning stretch.  Take me out to the ballgame. Beautiful women. A very happy Ella chillin on mommy watching the fireworks.Now for the assembly video.

Tonight, we were finishing up dinner and Ella went over to sit on Sunny’s lap.  While on Sunny’s lap, Ella noticed that Sunny put eyelashes on a drawing that Ella did of a manatee.   Ella was not very happy about it at all.  “Why did you do that mommy?  You drew on my picture without asking!”  “I’m really sorry Ella.   I thought the eyelashes looked nice on your manatee” responded mommy.  Ella started breathing heavy and getting all bent out of shape.  She crossed out her manatee with eyelashes, turned the page in her notebook and began to draw another manatee.  She was pissed.  Then she started writing something with a lot of emotion.  She was sounding things out like crazy.  Here it is… Here is the translation.  The first part is the part on the right…”Ella – Bad mommy.  Can you say sorry two times?”  She then held it up to mommy and she said, “OK Ella – I already said I was sorry but I will say it again.  I’m sorry, I apologize, I’m sorry.”  Then Ella wrote on the other side…”Good.  I accept your apology.  Thank you.  You’re welcome.”

We had a very full long great day today.  This morning, we met Debby, Toby and Rachel for brunch.  We had a great time, but Ella had one thing on her mind…her ballet recital.  Every once in a while, she would look at us and ask, “Are we going to be late?”  We reassured her that we had about 4 hours to get to the recital, but she was so excited!  We got to the Disney Family Museum where the recital was, about 45 minutes early.  Ella was so happy to be there.  Helen, Stella and Juliet joined us there to watch Ella.  Ella’s regular ballet teacher was out of town and another teacher was leading the kids in their dance.  They didn’t have a dress rehearsal and only rehearsed their dance at the ballet studio.  You’ll notice on the video that the kids basically did the majority of their dance to a wall rather than to the audience.  When they rehearsed at the studio, the teacher had them do this part to a wall that she called the audience.  Guess the kids took her literally.  You’ll also see Ella in the video trying to help the other kids figure out what to do…she loves pointing that finger!  After the recital, we went over to a Giants Community Fund event where Ella got a World Series poster signed by Brian “Fear the Beard” Wilson, our closing pitcher. Our little ballerina outside of the museum. One last pose before the tiara goes on. Mommy the expert tiara securer! The costume is complete! Getting a feel for the stage. Ella, your moms love you so much! Practicing her swan. Ella with two of her buddies from ballet class. Watching a professional dancer do a dance from Swan Lake before they went on stage. Shots taken during Ella’s performance. Brian Wilson signing Ella’s poster.

Ella tested for her 3rd belt today and did a great job,  Here are a few pictures from today.  I actually couldn’t finish the blog last night so here it is…another entry to follow about Ella’s ballet recital. Ella on  her way to the gym. Nice Axe kick! Meditating at the end of class.Ella getting her yellow belt and one of her classmates helping her put it on.. The class with their new belts! Earlier in the day, mommy worked really hard with Ella to teach her how to tie her belt in the special way that they need to tie it.  Ella did a great job learning from mommy and mommy did a great job teaching Ella.  Ella did it perfectly.  Then she said to me, “Mama, if mommy isn’t home on a Saturday when I have TaeKwonDo, you don’t need to tie my belt, I can do it all by myself.” Ella and her instructor Steven.

Ella’s friend Emily was absent from school for about 2 weeks.  She came back on Tuesday and Ella was so happy to see her.  Emily’s mom asked if Ella wanted to hang out with Emily after school today and we did!  The girls had a great time.  We went to Bi-Rite and then hung out at this sweet playground close to the school.  Later on, Ella had her special Stella and Juliet Wednesday. What a fantastic afternoon for Ella! Ella and Emily walking Emily’s dog Kaya. Fun at the park. City kids out on a little stroll. Serious faces. I took this on Tuesday when Ella and I took a walk around the ballpark. Tonight in the hallway…Sunny pitching, Ella batting, Stella catching, KJ as the umpire.

We’ve had a fun weekend.  On Saturday night, Hannah, Naomi and Phyllis came over for lasagna and a little Wii dancing.  Everyone loved the lasagna.  Of course it was lots of fun doing the Wii dancing and Beatles Rock Band.  Ella is thoroughly enjoying the games now…she pretty much has them figured out.  Today, Sunny and I went to see Anna Deavere Smith do her show “Let Me Down Easy” at the Berkeley Rep while Ella hung out at home with Rachel.  The show was great and Ella had a lot of fun with Rachel.  Tonight, Ella’s friend Emmi came over for dinner and a sleep over.  The girls had a great time – Ella even let Emmi wear her Hannah Montana dress!  We had dinner at Amicis and then we watched Kung Fu Panda.  Tomorrow, we are all going to see Kung Fu Panda 2 at the movie theatre. Fun fun fun with friends, family and the Wii! Ella and Emmi at Amicis. Dancing in the street! These two are great laughers.Fancy dresses. Movie time!  Popcorn and Kung Fu Panda. Mommy reading the girls a goodnight story.  Sweet dreams everyone!

Tonight, Ella made lasagna (with only a little bit of direction/help from mommy).   We’re having Phyllis and the girls over tomorrow night for dinner and they will enjoy Ella’s lasagna.  I got a dental implant today so unfortunately, I won’t be able to enjoy it.  Check out Ella’s hard work and focus. This is just a sweet shot from the other day. Just a little comment here…Ella had to take a moment to watch the ballgame (Giants won 5 – 4!) More photos when they eat it tomorrow.

This morning, when Ella was eating breakfast, she realized that one of her bottom teeth was wiggly.  Ella was so excited.  She was walking around with a huge smile on her face today…like she had this secret that made her so proud.  It wasn’t much of a secret though – of course Ella told anyone who would listen and probably a few who wouldn’t listen!  Ella has been reading up a storm. It’s gotten to the point where I caught her reading a text over my shoulder! Have to watch not only what we say but what we write!  It’s really exciting.  I told her that reading was like having magical super powers…now a whole new world is ready for her to explore. The loose tooth is the one surrounded by glitter. Ella has been going wild on her dry erase board.   The HM on the very top wood part of course is for Hannah Montana.

This morning I woke up to beautiful Ella and beautiful Sunny showering me with flowers and cards and gifts.  I love you guys.  Thank you so much for such a beautiful birthday.  We started the morning with a lovely brunch with Becca and Nikki B, then Ella, Sunny, Nikki B and I went to the ballgame (Giants won in the 11th inning!) and then we met our beautiful family next door at Benihana.  After Benihana, Helen made my favorite banana pudding (Magnolia Recipe).  It’s 11:18 and I’m having a little more right now.  Thank you Helen.  I love this ritual.  Everything about the day was wonderful. Here we are at the very beginning of the game.  Ella made it for the full 4 hours! A gorgeous message from my gorgeous girls.My two beautifies. Ella hooks up with her music teacher Ms. Emilie and Ella takes her for a run around the bases.Beautiful friends and family at Benihana.  Love you guys.