Life With Ella

Ella on her way to school this morning.

After Ella’s bath, she asked for her robe and she danced around and laughed.

We all had the day off today, so we decided to take Ella to Lemo’s farm for some fall fun.  We played around there, fed some goats, went on a train ride, played on a playground, and just had a blast.  Ella brought little pumpkins home for Stella and Juliet.  She loved picking the pumpkins out.  I am really tired so I am going to post some pictures.

Mommy and Ella feeding a baby goat.

Petting goats with mama.

Fooling around in front of the HUGE tire.

On the train.

Ella called this place “Tiger Lily” from Peter Pan.

Ella jumping in the bouncy house (didn’t last too long)

We ran into Ella’s old friend Ava along with her mom and sister.  It was great to see them all.

Shopping for albino pumpkins.

Ella was watching these crazy ducks swim and jump and run on water!  It was pretty funny.

Beautiful Ella/

Doing some pretend riding on the stagecoach

Introducing Ballerina Ella!

On top of tall mountain.

Mommy, Towby and Ella.

Hanging out on the top of tall mountain.

Ella is such a little character.  I don’t really have any concrete examples at the moment, but that’s the best way I can describe her.  Sunny and I took the day off for Yom Kippur and fasted and Ella went to school and had a blast.  There is a video at the end of this entry of Ella running away from us up to her classroom.  She loves school and she loves it when we come to pick her up.  Today I bought Ella a new leotard and she told me that she really loved it but she knew that it would be itchy so she actually wanted to wear a shirt under it.  This was a first.  She’s actually becoming reasonable about her clothes.  We all hung out today after school and then mommy went to temple with Becca.  Ella and I stayed home and played around, did some painting and then Ella accompanied herself on the piano with a few songs.  I’ll post them tomorrow when I have more time.  She was so cute.  After temple, we had Chinese food to break the fast.  It was a sweet night – a good way to start the new year.

Leaving to go to school.

Ella has a new job.  Alicia told us that she was really cute the other day doing the calendar.  She didn’t know which number was 8 so she just kept pretending until she got the right one.  Then Alicia had to pick Ella up in order to help her to reach the place where the tilted 8 was velcroed.

Ella waving bye bye.

I guess growing up in SF has turned Ella into a tree hugger.

Ella asked me to take a picture of her against the wall.

Ella in her new blue itchy leotard.

Ella is really loving school and she is having less and less accidents.  It’s hard to believe how stressed out we were about potty training 2 months ago!  Next step is the big girl bed.  Here are a few pictures of Ella taken yesterday and today.

Mommy and Ella on our walk last night.

Here is our happy girl.

It looks like I am giving Ella a little “be careful” lecture.

On the way to school.

Watercolor!  Ella’s favorite thing to do.

Ella and Brickelle on the swings after school.

Sunny’s dad died this morning.  He was very sick and 91 years old but that doesn’t take away the pain and sadness.  I am so grateful to Seymour because he brought Sunny into the world and the world is a much better place because of Sunny.  I think Seymour always wished that Sunny would become a mother and I am so happy that he was able to see her as a beautiful and incredible mother to Ella .  He would sometimes look at Sunny with tears in his eyes and say, “You are a wonderful mother – I knew you would be”.   Music was Seymour’s world and he was playing his horn up until about a year and 1/2 ago.  I am so happy that we were all able to hear him sound the shofar at the end of Ella’s baby naming ceremony.   He was 88 years old when he did this.  I attached a clip of that at the end of this entry.  We hope your soul is free Seymour.

An old photo of Seymour and his horn.

Meeting Ella for the first time.

Hanging out at the park together.

Mommy, Ella and grandpa Seymour.

Hey – that’s your nose!

Sunny and her dad at the baby naming.

Ella said that she had a great day at school.  As a matter of fact, today right before she went to sleep, she was on the toilet and she looked at me and said, “School is fantastic”.  We think the school is pretty fantastic too!  After school, Ella and I relaxed – watched a little Dora, and then Ella did some watercolors.  She has been letting us know what her paintings are.  Here is a mouse.

After the painting, Ella built a huge playground with her legos and put all of her friends on the playground.

Ella doesn’t have imaginary friends, she just has conversations with all of these little friends.

We watched the debate tonight – Ella was not interested at all.  She watched Peter Pan as we watched Sarah Palin not answer any questions.  Scary.  After the debate, Ella told us that she wanted to dance.  Ella danced to about 3 songs – she wanted “Independent Women” by Destiny’s Child 2 times.  She really likes the part that says, “Throw your hands up at me”.  Very cute.  After dancing Ella went straight to bed.  She’s so much fun.

Ella dancing the night away.

This is one happy kid.

Ella on her way to school this morning.

Sunny and I went to Las Vegas last weekend and had an amazing time.  Grandma and papa came here and stayed with Ella and the 3 of them had an amazing time.  We got back and celebrated Rosh Hashana together.  Happy New Year to everyone who celebrates.  It was a great trip.  We are looking forward to Thanksgiving!  Ella is doing really well at school.  We kept her home on Tuesday because she had a pretty bad cold and cough.  This morning when she woke up, we asked her if she felt well enough to go to school and she said that she wanted to go.  I think Ella’s favorite thing to do there is art.  We wish we could spy on her at school during the day.

Grandma and Ella checking out the rays at the Pier 39 aquarium

Going down the slide at the Yerba Buena park

Ella and papa taking a nap after a long fun day.

Getting ready for circle time at school.

Papa pushing and grandma catching.

Lighting the candles on Rosh Hashana

Getting ready to blow bubbles on top of tall mountain.

Check out the HUGE bubble.

About to make a big jump.

Sharing ice cream.

So peaceful taking a nap.

Getting ready to go to school today.

Ella’s new job as  lunch mat helper.

Ella had a great day today – second day in a row without having an accident.  I checked in with Alicia about the reason why Ella ripped the book (I saw one of the books – she did a tremendous job!) and she said she thought Ella was just bored.  I told her that Ella told me that she ripped it because she couldn’t go outside to the water table and Alicia started to laugh.  I had a feeling that Ella made it up but I just needed to check it out.  As a morning activity, Ella’s class visited the farm.  Ella loved seeing the sheep and chickens and she is learning how to be with them.  She couldn’t wait to bring us over to them after school.  Grandma and papa come tomorrow night and to quote Ella, “I am so excited – I can’t wait – I am very excited”.  Mommy and I are taking 2 days and going to Las Vegas while grandma and papa party with Ella.  “I can’t wait!”

Running down the hall this morning.

Ella is a table washer again.

Visiting the sheep and chickens after school.

Ella and Ms. Ngoc – another one of Ella’s amazing teachers.