Life With Ella

Pumpkin Patch Field Trip and Friday Night Movie Night

October 17th, 2009

Today I went on my first field trip with Ella’s class. We took the kids to a pumpkin patch in the city. The kids actually had a great time even though the place was totally crowded and the line was too long for the hay ride. The kids made the most of the experience. It must have been fun being in a totally different place with all of their classmates. Ella had a great time. She was so excited about the pumpkin patch trip that she woke up at 6:00 this morning! It was a lot of fun and I was happy that all the kids made it back in one piece. Here are some pictures from the class trip.

Ella walking out with her buddy Cassi and Brickelle on the other side of Cassi for the CDS assembly before the field trip.

The Leaping Lizard class taking a picture facing the sun. The kids were really cooperative.

This is Clark. He was our car buddy. Ella and Clark were great today.

Tonight is Friday night movie night and Ella couldn’t wait to get home and change her clothes. She changed into her Kiki dress and her Kiki bow. The girls and Helen and Ron and KJ came over for clams before the movie.

Here’s Kiki!

The girls having dinner.

Watching A Bug’s Life.

KJ flying and the girls trying to catch him.

Juliet and her baby brother.

Ron fooling around and sitting on Ella’s lap.

Ella gets to hold KJ…he wasn’t really into being held by yet another little person, but he tolerated Ella and Ella loved every minute of it!

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Happy Birthday AJ and costume changes

October 16th, 2009

Happy Birthday AJ/Jamie. We love you and can’t wait to see you next week. We’ll celebrate when you get here. Ella has a birthday song for you at the end of this post.

Not too much to report here with Ella. She is very excited about a field trip with her class to a pumpkin patch tomorrow. I’m sure I’ll get some great pictures. Today Ella changed her clothes 4 times today (including her nightgown). I think she needs to have a career on the stage. Every time she changed her outfit, she morphed into that person. I of course had to play her counterpart. The most embarrassing part of the evening for me was when people in our building heard me talking like the beast from Beauty and the Beast. Mommy is coming home tomorrow. We can’t wait to see you. Ella saved you a gumball…well she actually saved a gumball for Belle’s father but you know that’s you! LOVE YOU BABY.

Ella on her way to school this morning.

Ella on the phone with mommy at Blush tonight. She was walking around like a little teenager. We’re really in for it. The costume before that was Cinderella…she changed after her bath.

Ella’s version of a fish face.

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Conflict resolution

October 15th, 2009

This morning, I took Ella to school and hung out in the classroom before school started. Ella was having fun jumping on the trampoline with her friends and I was chatting with Alicia. All of a sudden, Ella came over to me crying, trying to explain something. I looked at her and said, “Ella – you need to do whatever you do when you have a problem in class…I can’t really do anything”. Alicia stepped in, knelt down to Ella, took her hands and said, “Ella – take a deep breath and tell me what you want to say. Remember to try to stop crying and breathe”. Ella took a deep breath and tried to stop crying really hard and said, “Remy told me that she was after Bella on the trampoline but I was really after Bella”. Alicia then said, “Why don’t you ask Remy if you could go in front of her”. Ella, in a whimper said, “Remy, can I go in front of you?” Remy looked at Ella and said, “Go ahead”. Ella walked over and it was business as usual. Great job everyone.

Ella and Alicia having their conversation.

Ella gets her spot back.

Remy and Ella responding to something going on in the bathroom.

Sunny went out of town for 2 days on a business trip. We love you and miss you and hope that you have a great trip. Tonight I gave Ella a piece of chocolate after dinner and she loved it. I was eating mine and she asked me if she could have it. I told her that I wanted to eat it and then she said, “I have an idea – let’s split it.” She was so cute that I had to share it. Then she told me that I needed to go back to the store and get another one for mommy and that she wanted to give it to her when she came back from Texas. So sweet. Ella and I went to Blush after dinner with the Kim/Arena clan.

I had dinner with Cinderella.

Ella and Stella walking to Blush.

The whole gang minus the mommies.

Ella leading her buddies home.

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At the ballet…

October 13th, 2009

I am very tired but want to post Ella’s 5th ballet class movie. Ella didn’t have school today so Alicia couldn’t do her hair…Ella had to settle for me doing it. She told me that I did a good job, but probably not as good as Alicia. Ella was once again enchanting in the class and she just has such a good time.

Look at the sweet little ballerinas.

Saying goodnight in cozy pajamas.

Here’s the movie…

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Sunday at Fairyland and With Friends

October 13th, 2009

Yay! Lauren/Mama is home! and she as I knew she would fixed the problem I had with getting the pictures on here–so here goes Grandma and anyone else who visits this terrific site!

Today was fun and sweet yet again. We went to Fairyland with the Kim-Arena clan and the girls had a good time- naturally they went on the junior Ferris wheel several times, back to back, if we let them, they would be circling around and around till sunset!–and to think not too long ago, Ella and Juliet were crying to get off that ride! After Fairyland, we met Phyllis, Hannah, Charlie, Naomi and Michael at Aunt Mary’s cafe in Oakland. Hannah and Charlie work at the cafe — it’s a great and comfortable cafe–It was also terrific to have relaxed time together and after Ella got some good food in her–she was the bell of the ball–cracking jokes and cracking everyone up– Charlie made Ella a hot coco and made a heart with the milk foam on top– Ella got a good kick out of that–I would post pictures of the cafe part but didn’t have my camera on me and still awaiting the pictures from phyllis camera–HINT HINT PHYLL!

When we got home–Ella was good and tired and just wanted me to read to her–so we did –it was so cozy and warm after being out in the crisp weather all day–the night was completed with dinner at out friends next door and to watch the Yankees clinch the division series! Congrats Papa and Grandma and all the family back east!

Ella and I are so excited to pick Mama up at the airport tomorrow-as Ella said–“we will be all back together again soon”- we are also so excited that Grandpa and Papa, AJ and Uncle and Milo will be making their first trip West and that Uncle Jesse and Aunt Heather will be coming up to NorCal and staying with us also! We love this!

So this will probably be my last blog posting for a while, then again, I am getting a little more in the groove with this–so I may be checking in more from time to time–thanks for teaching me everything I know beautiful Lauren!

Good night all-

Sunny/Mommy

P.S. I SPOKE TOO SOON–I AM SO SORRY–FOR SOME REASON–I CAN’T UPLOAD THE PICTURES FROM TODAY–WAIT TILL THE REAL PRO GETS HOME TO TROUBLE SHOOT AND INSERT PICTURES LATER–PHEW!

sunday morning with dora, pasta and the NYtimes

Amazing picture, Ella said she wanted to write the music to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, she drew numerous lines and then asked me to draw a note, I drew one musical note and she ran with the rest! Incredible!

Chubby Bear met us at the entrance of Fairyland

Excitement

KJ dreaming about joining the girls one of these days!

the yearly tunnel crawl! Ella now needs something more challenging!

The 3 Amigas swing on!

Sweet Juliet waiting for the happy train

Adorable girls still waiting for the happy train

what a beauty–at the end of a full, fun and wonderful day!

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Greetings from the East Coast

October 12th, 2009

The weekend flew by and I had a great time. I was so happy to hear that Sunny and Ella were having a great time…going away every once in a while is a good thing. I love and missed you guys and can’t wait to see you tomorrow. Milo is a beautiful boy and it was fantastic getting to spend time with him and Jamie and getting to know Milo. Here are some pictures from my NY/NJ adventures…

On Saturday morning, Nikki B and I went to the batting cage. It was so much fun. I had some pretty good hits. I also tried pitching from the exact distance that they do in the major leagues. I pitched a few good ones.

Beautiful Milo on Saturday night. Adam came over for dinner and we spent some great time together.

Milo on Sunday morning relaxing.

Milo propped up in his pack and play holding court.

Tummy time!

This is Tess, our friends Jennie and David’s baby. I got to spend time with them today. She is a really sweet baby.

Bath time!

Here I am with beautiful Milo. Ella and Milo are going to have a lot of fun as soon as Milo is able to play.

Bed time for Milo. Goodnight sweet boy.

It was great being here. Love you mom, dad, AJ, Michael, Milo. It was great being here. I love you Sunny and Ella – can’t wait to see you tomorrow.

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Beautiful Saturday

October 11th, 2009

Today was full of fun and goodness. Started off nice and easy after a wee hour shout out from Ella– calling out for me, rather “Sporticus” (character from the Icelandic kid show called “Lazytown.) Ella said she fell out of her bed, but all was well after staying with her a while.

It was a cool overcast day and thought a movie would be fun, Ella happily agreed and then asked if we could call Brickelle and ask her if she can come with us. Akilah was game and joined in — Ella and I were happy that Akilah and Brickelle were spontaneous! So off we went on the train to meet our friends and to see Toy Story 2 and 3D to boot!–It was such a sweet and clever movie–albeit a little nauseating with the 3D but after a while I got use to it. More importantly, the girls loved it –after the movies we went to Yerba Buena Park and walked home via Whole Foods as Ella said she was “starving” and wanted whole foods chicken and for me to make rice pilaf, broccoli and asparagus–I think Ella is going through a good growth spurt as she has had a big appetite today–makes this mommy very happy!

Tonight while putting Ella to bed–she was extra hyper and silly and happy–I said Ella it is really late and you need to quiet down and go to sleep–she said–“I can’t mommy, I am too excited about the next day!” That was something else as we didn’t even talk about what we planned to do tomorrow–this was just another pure statement from Ella that speaks of her joy of life–Talk about pearls of wisdom from this child and how much we can learn from her!

Love you Mama–Ella made you a present today and can’t wait to give it to you! Have fun and lots of love to everyone! Ella getting ready to go the movies, she picked her outfit out, the first time in ages no dress. I promise, I didn’t coerce her!

Ella happy to have her own seat on muni

good friends 3D style

more 3 D chic–assuming the position for the movie

what better way to end a movie day than to share ice cream with your good friend?

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Loving life with Ella and Missing Mama!

October 10th, 2009

Mama took a red-eye last night to New York to visit with the family and to spend more time with Jamie and Milo. So this is my first blog attempt and let me tell you I am in awe of you Lauren on so many levels!-not only are you an amazing blogger, but doing this almost nightly even after long days at work and energetic nights at home and to do this with passion and creatively and gusto–is amazing! You’re amazing!

So on to today-It’s the first trip Lauren has taken without Ella and the first time Ella and I have spent days together alone. While Ella and I miss Mama so much, the time with Ella has been so beautiful and fun and loving. Today started out terrific, we got to school and the LL buddy’s where already in the classroom waiting for their little friends to take to the school’s assembly. It was so wonderful as Ella loves Cassi and so does Brickelle–the three of them are so sweet together.

When I picked Ella up at the end of the day–she was outside at the playground –she saw me coming and and came running and jumped up to hug and said “I knew you were coming to get me today, because Mama is in New Jersey.” Ella has been saying incredible things and clearly talking about this new experience not having Mama here 24/7–a few statement: “Mommy, can you believe it’s just the 2 of us” and Mommy, I miss Mama and love you too.” and “Mommy let’s go on the airplane and go to New Jersey”–and then right after that, “will you go swimming with me so I can show you how good I swim”–So this beautiful Ella continues to astound me with her emotional honesty and pure joy for life.

After school, We went to Becca’s work at Animal Care and Control. Becca was great, showing her usual patience and care by taking a lot of time showing Ella around. Ella wanted to see ‘ALL the Animals”– especially pet all the bunny rabbits! After spending a good hour at ACC, we went home to bathe, make brownies and rice pilaf together to take over to Stella and Juliet where we had a great dinner prepared by Helen, topped off by watching Kiki for the Friday Movie Night feature. By the way, the Yankees won game 2 in a walk off Home-run by Mark Teixeira–Happy for our New York family!

Ella and I send love and kisses to you and Papa and Grandma, Milo, AJ, Uncle Michael and all the beautiful family and friends in NY/NJ

So Mama we miss you so much and so happy you are having time to yourself and we love you so much–Good night or Good morning!

P.S. So Sorry–I have tried for over an hour to upload the pictures –not sure how this is going to show but tried–

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Fun in the morning

October 8th, 2009

This morning Ella woke up in a great mood. She told me that she wanted two braids in her hair so I attempted to make 2 braid pig tails. It was a pretty good first attempt…Ella was happy.

Before I get into the braids, I just wanted to show this picture that I took last night when Ella was sleeping. The flash didn’t bother her and she didn’t wake up. When Ella saw this she said, “Oh, so I do close my eyes when I fall asleep.”

Here are the braids. Ella does a great job washing her hands at school in the morning.

Ella on the trampoline while friends Bella, Brickelle and Remy patiently wait.

Buddies!

The girls were really having a great time.

Have you ever had so much fun at 8:15?

Really sweet kids.

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Another week at Tutu school

October 6th, 2009

Every week I say to myself that I am just going to drop Ella off at ballet school and go take a walk or have some coffee, and every week I find myself amazed by Ella’s love of the class. Her enthusiasm and attempts at being graceful just grab my heart. I can’t help but smile from ear to ear during the entire class. I made another movie – pretty much the same as the last 3 weeks but different because I think Ella’s moves are getting a little better. Of course Ms. Alicia made a beautiful bun for Ella and when Ella greeted me on the school yard this afternoon, she looked so proud and excited and just loved her hairstyle. I think she also loves her special time with Ms. Alicia on Monday afternoons. Things are great – enjoy the movie.

Ms. Alicia’s fancy work.