Life With Ella

We went to Ella’s back to school night tonight.  I think she’s going to have a terrific year and that by the end of the year, she will be an incredible reader and writer (among other things).  While we were in the classroom, I took a few pics of some of Ella’s artwork.

 This is Ella’s dream classroom.  It’s a pool with a diving board and slide and of course 2 disco balls.

 Ella’s self portrait.  She realized that  her brads were pretty short!

 Ella’s hope is to get better at science.

 The real true beauty.

Our weeks are full of work and school and our weekends are full of activities and love.  We had Stella, Juliet and KJ over for our traditional Friday night movie night.  The kids watched Aladin.  Ella will be performing Aladin during her musical theatre class.  She really loves it.  On saturday, it was Ella’s first soccer practice.  The girls seemed to have a great time. TOnight was erev Rosh Hasanah.  Becca, Ru, Jaeden and the doggies came over for an amazing brisket dinner cooked by mommy the pro!  Great meal babe!  It was a really sweet night.  Time to go to sleep.

 Friday night movie night.

 Fun fun fun at soccer practice.  Ella did seem like she was having a great time.

Serious Ella lights the candles.

Wishing everyone a sweet, happy, healthy New Year.

I know it’s not an excuse, but life is busy!  Ella spent last week at Wheel Kids camp.  She became an incredibly confident bike rider.  On the second day, they rode all the way from the Marina to AT&T park and then went to the Ferry Building.  Another day, they took their bikes on the ferry and went to Alameda, rode around and went to the USS Hornet.  Ella loved that trip.  Another day they went back to the Ferry Building and then the last day, they rode around the Presidio.  Over the long weekend, we went to the Russian River. We had a lot of fun but unfortunately, I didn’t take any pictures.  We put panda in the river and he started moving his legs and swimming before he touched the water.  Very cute.  Today was Ella’s first day of 1st grade.  She took it all in stride and loved her first day.  She was so happy to see her buddies and said that she liked her teachers.  After school, Ella started Musical Theatre classes.  She said that she loved that too!  Ella is a true lover of life.  What a pleasure.

Ella and Panda are best buddies.

Ella helping the counselors bring out the bikes at Wheel Kids.

Our little biker.

 Ella indulging me and letting me take a pic on the way to school.

Comparing teeth lost over the summer.

 So happy to see Emmi on the yard.

 Lining up!

 Have a great day beautiful.

Doris was in town with her beautiful family this week and we got to see them tonight at the ballgame.  We all had a great time – especially Ella who got to see her buddies from NJ.  To top that, the Giants won!  Here are some pics.

 Ella waiting for her friends to come.

 Hanging with Willie.

 Ella seems to be watching something on the jumbotron.

 All the beautiful grandchildren…Kara the beautiful daughter and Doris, the beautiful grandma.

 All the kids loving Ella.

Ella started gymnastics camp this week.  Stella and Juliet are going also.  Ella has been having so much fun with the girls.  Being at camp with each other every day for the past 2 weeks has been a really special time for Ella.  I don’t have any pictures of Ella actually doing gymnastics but I do have some morning shots of Ella in her gymnastics get-ups.  On Friday, I’ll videotape the showcase.

 Beautiful sleepy faced gymnast!  Ella showed me a few flips on the bars today when I picked her up.  I was impressed.

I’m going back almost a week here.  On Saturday, we went to Julie and Justin’s wedding.  It was at the DeYoung Museum and it was a beautiful ceremony and party.  As we were getting ready for the wedding, Ella said a few funny things.  First, Sunny was getting ready and she was putting on mascara.  Ella told her not to put it on.  Then I was all dressed up and ready to go and Ella said, “Look at you Miss Fancypants”.  I asked her if she liked the way I looked and she said, “Not really”.  I told her to pretend that it was Halloween and that I am going as Miss Fancypants.  I guess Ella loves us just the way we are and she doesn’t like us to “change”.  We had a great time together.  Here are some pics from Saturday.

 Miss Fancypants and Ella.

 Mommy mascara, Ella and Miss Fancypants.

 Outside of the museum in Golden Gate Park.

 Beautiful backdrop.

 Here are Emily and sweet KJ.  He was the ring bearer.

 Stell and Juliet were beautiful flower girls.

 The happy couple.

 Ella and her flower girl sisters.

 Alexis and a bunch of beautiful girls.

 Ella busy working with glow necklaces.

 Some serious dancing.

 Olympic glow rings.

 Ella climbing the structure at the Friends school where she is at dance camp with Stella and Juliet.  They are working really hard this week and tomorrow they have a little performance.  Unfortunately, I have to miss it because I’ll be at work, but Sunny is going and filming it for me.  Can’t wait to post the movies.