Grandma and papa came in on Tuesday night while Ella was sleeping. Ella woke up to a beautiful surprise! On Wednesday, it was grandparent and special friends day at Children’s Day School. Grandma, papa and Becca joined Ella in the classroom for a little while. Ella was happy to show everyone around and read some books with grandma and papa. Becca talked to Ms. Alicia about possibly having a class pet. After school, we came back here, had lunch and played Zingo. Everyone was getting a little sleepy so Ella, grandma and papa when upstairs, layed down and watched Kung Fu Panda. Grandma was the only one who made it through the whole movie (with a few minutes of napping here and there). Mommy also napped for about 2 hours. After the nap, we all played some more and then we had a great dinner at Nama.
Becca shared her umbrella with papa on their way into Ella’s school.
Reading with grandma and papa.
At first Ella tried to get grandma to read her a book in Spanish and then she settled on the Gruffalo.
A little puddle jumping after school.
Ella and papa couldn’t stay up to watch Kung Fu Panda.
Mommy and Ella reading a new Ella the elephant book.
Running down the hallway after dinner.
Everyone working very hard to construct the best Dora playground and city.
Running to the elevator this morning.
Tender moment with mommy this morning on the way to school.
Beginning of morning circle time.
On the swings after school.
Mommy and Ella at the Oakland airport. The beginning of an incredible weekend.
Ella wearing her headphones (not plugged into anything). We weren’t even on the plane yet – she just really wanted to wear them.
On the planes still wearing her headphones (still not plugged into anything).
Reunited with cousin Clara. They picked up right where they left off last November.
Dessert!
Delicious breakfast in the hotel room.
Ella and Clara taking a little rest before we all headed out to the Desert Museum.
Ella riding on a javelina “piggy bank” in front of the Desert Museum.
Clara joined Ella on the javelina ride. It was a windy day in the desert!
Ella loved all the different cactus. She is able to name a few different types of cactus now – her favorites are the saguaro cactus and the prickly pear cactus.
Clara getting a cool shoulder ride from aunt Sunny.
There’s nothing quite like driving on a desert road.
Dan and Clara chillin’ in the pool.
Someone must have said a funny joke!
Here we all are playing in the pool.
The 3 of us!
A little poolside cuddling.
Ella loved this chair in the hotel lobby. What’s a throne without a crown?
Here we are outside the hotel waiting for our friends Fran and Judy to meet us for dinner.
Ella had a lot of fun with Fran and Judy. It was a great dinner.
We brought a kid’s aero bed with us and Ella slept like a rock in it.
Ella and Clara after we had breakfast in this place that was like an enchanted desert garden.
Ella watching her little wooden “boat” flow down the water current.
Having a nice fun swim with mommy.
Here is Clara painting Ella’s nails right before dinner at aunt Cindy’s.
Our beautiful hippie child.
Making music.
Doing art with Clara. Ella made a tire swing and Clara made a happy face.
Another peaceful night of sleep.
Here we all are – Ella was not in the mood for a group picture, but we wanted one altogether.
Saying goodbye to the desert.
Fast asleep on the plane.
Ella in the classroom this morning.
On the swings after school. Ella is such a big girl now! I can’t believe how old she looks.
Here is the happiest kid on the way to school yesterday.
Playing in the classroom before school started.
Here is the church across the street from the school. I think it’s beautiful.
Dancing the night away in her new tutu from Phyllis.
This morning by the elevator.
The leaping lizard gratitude list.
This is from yesterday (Saturday). Sunny, Becca and I went to a rally for equality in marriage. We were hanging out and listening to people speak and all of a sudden, Sunny said, “Hey, that’s us!” We looked up and there was Phyllis holding up a sign that said, “Why do you care? This is why I care”…and there was a picture of Sunny, Ella and me and then some pictures of other people who she loves. It was really sweet.
Ella running to the elevator to get to Miguel’s party.
Mommy and Ella walking into the Discovery Museum.
Walking through a tunnel.
Playing around with a bee costume on.
Ella asked the painter to paint a peacock on her arm. Another kid from her class overheard Ella asking for a peacock and he said to his mom, “Ella always paints peacocks!”
Arg!
Ella and Kaliko -Pirates in training.
Pirate coming back from the potty.
Ella took part in her first sack race. She got a lot of help from mommy during the race, but right here, she held her own.
Ella and Tate waiting to get their happy birthday cupcakes.
After the party, Ella wanted to climb the hill and ring the bell.
GOOD MORNING!
I think this will be the last of the cupcakes for a while.
Ella in the middle of the circle.
Our soccer star with a chocolate mustache and beard.
Playing around in the restaurant with Diana and Kenny.
Fooling around with the magnifying glass.
This is circle time – the first thing they do in the morning. Ms. Gladys turns on the Buenas Dias song and all the kids get into the circle.
Here is Ella at the end of school today. I think she has such a huge smile on her face because she’s going home to put on her Belle dress.
Ella in her Belle outfit.
I don’t even think I really need to say anything.
Notice the fancy magic wand.
Doing a puzzle dressed as Cinderella.
We can’t believe that you’re already 3!
Here is our big girl wearing an outfit that she got from Aunt Cindy.
Singing into her new Muno microphone.
Here is Ella this morning. Her first official picture as a 3 year old.