Life With Ella

Ella played in her very first soccer game today.  It was a really hot day today and after about the first 15 minutes of game play, most of the team turned into wet noodles.  Ella did a really great job. The team that the girls played were really prepared to play soccer – our girls were not really prepared to play a real game.  The whole thing was a great learning experience for everyone.  I had Ella go in at the end to substitute for a kid who looked like she was going to fall over and Ella got really mad at me.  Every time I cheered her on or told her to go after the ball, she put her fingers in her ears.  She said that she didn’t like soccer because the other team kept scoring goals and her team hardly got any.  Ella scored 2 goals – one for her team and one for the other team.  Hopefully she’ll give it another try.  After the soccer game, we came home and relaxed for about 2 hours, then we headed off to Half Moon Bay where one of Ella’s friends from school had a swimming birthday party.  Ella had a blast at the party…it was a pool party and she went down this really big slide.  At first she wanted me to catch her at the bottom but by the end she said, “I can do it on my own” and she did!  Ella fell asleep in the car on the way home but we had one last stop to make.  We stopped over to see Stella and Juliet at Justin and Julie’s new place.  Things were great until there was a “sharing” issue and Ella couldn’t handle not being shared with.  She said that she just wanted to go home which is rare for Ella.  I think she’s just processing the whole thing about the girls not going to be next door.  We’re just going to ride the wave with her. On the way to the soccer field. Looks like Ella is going to kick the other team’s ass… C’mon girls – let’s get em. It’s hot out here! Action shots. Forming a Black Widow wall. Coach Mommy! Ella doing her “throw in”. Taking a little break. I think she was pretty much done at this point. Still hanging in there. Still working hard! Mid to post meltdown.  Ella was telling mommy that she was mad at me.

Today was a great day for Ella and then she and Brickelle had an evening play date.  Ella was so excited about it.  This is the first time that they have really hung out since earlier in the summer.  Sunny made clams, we had a chicken from Costco, rice pilaf and broccoli.  This was the first time that Brickelle ever had clams and she loved them.  After dinner, the girls got dressed up.  Brickelle put on a Belle dress and Ella put on her Hannah Montana costume.  They wore Hannah Montana and Annie wigs and posed for pictures.  They had so much fun.  After the posing and dressing and stuff, they settled down and watched the Hannah Montana movie.  I think Ella had a great night.  Last night we found out that Stella, Juliet, KJ, Helen and Ron are re-locating to Noe Valley for 8 months.  It’s only about 12 minutes from us, but our lives are going to change.  It’s not going to be so easy to just go next door and hang out.  I am very sad about this.  Ella hasn’t really verbalized her feelings, but tonight when we heard them come home at around 9:30, Ella ran out into the hallway to greet them.  She noticed that Juliet was crying.  She walked up to her and said, “Are you crying because you’re leaving me?”  Talk about subconscious thinking or maybe it’s conscious.  Anyway, we’re all going to be very sad.  Now we have to actually make plans with our “family” next door! This is from Thursday.  Ella had some pretty hot braids that Ms. Alicia made  for her.  Maybe Ms. Alicia will give me some lessons on doing this to Ella’s hair.  What do you think Alicia?  I’ll teach you iMovie, you teach me braids. Brickelle ate her very first clam tonight and loved it. And the fun begins. No – they weren’t having any fun at all. 2 happy girls watching the Hannah Montana movie.

The Black Widows are officially a team with some pretty hot shirts.  The kids had their second practice today after school.  Ella loves being on the team.  She’s actually pretty good.  Ella does a great job following directions and she is a good dribbler and shooter during drills.  The problem is, once they do practice games, Ella hangs back and cheers people on.  She’s so sweet and so enthusiastic, but she rarely gets in the mix.  Maybe it’s a good thing because it’s usually a bunch of kids just kicking whatever they can kick.  Their first game is Saturday – I can’t wait to see what happens. Ella getting her morning hug from Brickelle.  Brickelle is in Kindergarten this year so the girls are in separate buildings.  Lately, Ella has been asking to see Brickelle before school starts.  When we arrive at school, we look for Brickelle on the structure or on the yard and then Ella and Brickelle hug and go on with their day.  We couldn’t find Brickelle the other morning and Ella was pretty upset.  Ms. Alicia helped Ella find Brickelle later on during the day.  It’s really beautiful the way the girls love each other. Ella and her friend Maya before soccer practice. Front and back of Ella’s jersey. Thinking… Water break. Pretty sweet…Ella is on the end all the way to the left. Learning the “throw in” move.

When I came home, Ella and Sunny were in the living room and Ella was singing one of the Hannah Montana songs.  I snuck into the hallway to watch Ella and she had the blonde wig on!  The second she saw me, she flung it off.  I guess she doesn’t want me to see her with the wig.  She’s to intense about Hannah Montana.  I did get two shots of Ella looking adorable in her costume. I WILL get her with the wig one of these days.

Today was another beautiful and moving day at the ballpark.  It was the 13th annual Strike Out Violence Day where survivors of domestic violence are honored and stand shoulder to shoulder with people who have stopped their violence and are giving back to their community.  Ella was on the field with Sunny and 2 of Ella’s classmates participated in the ceremony.  Once the ceremony was over, we went up to our seats and Ella found Stella and Juliet and was in total heaven.  After the game, which the Giants won, Ella ran the bases.  It was a really beautiful day. Ella with her buddies Luke and Leo. This was a big day for mommy who got this day started 13 years ago! Ella copping a lean on mommy. Ella and mommy on the field during the ceremony. Finding Stella right before we got to our seats. Juliet, Stella and cotton candy = heaven. Beautiful KJ and Ella. Juliet and Ella heading over to run the bases. Running the bases! Looks like Ella is getting a little tired. Remedy to fatigue…a Sees lollipop!

Tomorrow is Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement.  After a great day at school and hanging around after school, we came home and got ready for our evening together.  Tonight, Hannah and Max came over for dinner and movie night while their parents were at temple.  Ella had a really fun time with them.  When Ella gets happy and excited, she talks really loud.  She was at full volume tonight.  The kids watched the Princess and the Frog and then we all watched the end of the Giants game.  Come on Giants!  Keep our first place position.  Not good to lose games right now.  We are just going to lay low tomorrow.  Happy New Year.  May we all be sealed in the book of life. Ella with her buddy Casi at the assembly this morning. Ella and Emmi watching their buddies in a short performance. Ella lighting the shabbat candles. Let’s eat! Hannah, Max and Ella watching the Princess and the Frog.  Fun night.

Ella woke up at 4:00 am calling for me.  I went in and she told me she wanted to come into our room.  I took her back with me because I was so tired.  She seemed fine – it didn’t seem like she had a nightmare or anything.  She has done this a few times in the past few weeks.  I wonder if this is how she is reacting to Bug’s death.  Who knows – I’m not pushing it with her or asking her any questions.  I’m not going to start making things up and put them in her mind.  Anyway – she was pretty tired this morning when I woke her up, but she was still excited to go to school.  That’s a beautiful thing.  Today Ella started her ballet classes up again.  Ms. Alicia made Ella a beautiful ballerina bun that Ella loved.  Sunny took Ella to the class because I had a meeting but I forgot to give Sunny the camera so the pictures will have to wait for next week.  Today Ella’s Hannah Montana costume arrived.  Ella has been begging for it ever since she saw it in a catalog.  It arrived today and Ella wore it after her shower, through dinner and all the way up until it was bed time.  She didn’t want to wear the wig for some reason, but she did put on quite a show for Sunny and me.  She is so cute it’s crazy.  I caught some of it on video but I can’t post it until my computer comes back from the shop on Thurs.  For now, here are some cute photos. Ella on the way to school this morning…looking a little sleepy! Ella at the end of the school day looking sassy in her ballerina bun.  Too bad you can’t see it! Our little Hannah Montana.   She loves this tacky costume!

Today we started our day at the Java House to meet with a candidate who is running for supervisor in our district.  A bunch of our friends and neighbors were there.  Ella wanted to ride her bike there and the weather was beautiful so we did just that.  After the event, we went over to the Barry Bonds baseball field to meet up with some of Ella’s buddies.  We came at the tail end of her friend Leo’s birthday party.  They were having a baseball game.  Ella, even though she had on one of her sundresses, wanted to play with the guys.  She did a great job and had a lot of fun.  After the game, we went to Sports Basement and bought some gear for Ella’s upcoming soccer season.  She is so excited to be on a soccer team.  The team is called the Black Widows.  I think the jerseys are going to be hot pink with a black spider.  Tonight as Ella was falling asleep she said, “I can’t believe that I am going to be on a soccer team.  I am so excited.  I have no idea how to play soccer.”  I told her that we had no idea how to play either but we needed to figure it out because Sunny is going to be one of the coaches. Mighty Ella and her bicycle. Ella playing ball! Ella and her buddy Eli decided that they were goin gto stand on third base together. “baking” cookies!