Ella and Bennett

There's this blog I once started...

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Mon, 06 Oct 2014 01:37:00 +0000

Blog? What blog? I think I forgot I even had a blog. Once upon a time I was a stay at home mom with just one sweet precious baby girl. I'd take pictures of her and then I'd upload them immediately. I heard about these blogs and started my own as a place to share all those pictures with my family. I was pretty good at it for a while. Then life and busy-ness started to happen. Somewhere along the line we let our lives get filled with stuff. We go from here to there back to here and then over to there to pick up girl then over to that place to pick up boy and so forth. Now here I am back to work teaching full time, barely ever taking pictures and rarely uploading them. Tonight as I finish exporting Ella's birthday party pictures I thought to myself maybe you should update that blog. Uh, January 13, 2013, you were a long time ago. A lot has happened since then. We've gone on some fun trips. Said good-bye to my sweet and always happy grandpa George. Gone to so many soccer games and quite a few baseball games, led some Brownie meetings, sent Ella off to camp, gotten sick, had surgery, laughed, cried, laughed some more…and we got a pool! Those are just some highlights. Here are some recent pictures…

We all started school. The three of us are all in the same building which happens to be three doors down from our house. Not a bad commute!

Ella turns 9!

For her 9th birthday Ella had a few friends over for an evening swim party. She had a lot of fun swimming, listening to music and there was a lot of screaming. Sorry to all the neighbors. It's hard to believe she'll be double digits next year. I love this last picture. They really are so sweet to each…when they are not tormenting each other which is most of the time.

Well, friends, that is about all I have for now. I am not sure when the next post will be. It could be in a month. Not making any promises though. Might be in two years...

Snowy School Day

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 19:54:00 +0000

A couple weeks ago, on a Tuesday, January 15th to be exact, it started snowing just before it was time for Ella to go to school. I drove her to school that morning. She will never be able to tell her kids the story, "I had to walk miles in the snow to school..." Once Bennett and I were back home the snow started coming down a little harder and it was sticking. So, I grabbed my new camera that I'm still trying to learn and started taking some pictures! Bennett has grown to love the snow. He really despised it a few years ago!!

Snowing & Happy

Pretty snow fall

frozen fingers

Christmas, part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 21:12:00 +0000

Christmas Eve

We had a great Christmas this year! The kids had a short and simple list for Santa this year. They each asked for a new bike. Santa followed through. Unfortunately, Ella's bike is a little too big for her so she has decided to continue riding her old bike despite the fact that it has Disney princesses on it until she grows a couple more inches. Chris's parents spent the night with us on Christmas Eve. We had a nice evening with them. The kids left out cookies for Santa and opened one gift. On Christmas we went to Erin's for a big celebration. All of the Crawfords were there. Lots of fun! On the way we drove in the SNOW! What a fun Christmas present for the kids. It was a wonderful day celebrating.

Opening tickets to Taylor Swift!!!

His new bike!

Driving to Erin's

Stinker

Bennett loves Stevie! Little Parker, too

Ella & Gabby

We got home to a few more inches in Allen :)

Way, way behind but here's a post about Christmas, Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 19:59:00 +0000

So, it's now January 2013. A lot has happened since Bennett started pre-school. You could say we've been busy around here. I rarely have a chance to sit down at the computer. I don't even upload my pictures very often. I am just uploading pictures from Christmas today, January 12th. Anyhow, I thought I'd post a few pictures from Bennett's program. He was a darling star!

Bennett starts Pre-K

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 14:46:00 +0000

Today both kids are back in school. Finally! This is Bennett's year of Pre-K or is it? Since we're most likely sending him back to the same school next year for TK I guess we'll go ahead and call it Pre-K. He has the same teacher Ella had in the 4's and then a new one with her. We couldn't ask for a better teacher! Meet the teacher was Wednesday and he didn't want to leave. He had friends in his class from last year and kids from his class two years ago that were only going T/Th last year. I think it'll be a great year! Ella is so excited he has Mrs. Bartalone. She already requested to go read to his class and of course Mrs. B said, "Yes! Please bring her one day." Ella read to the 4's last year, too. My little teacher in the making. This morning he went right to a table and started coloring at a table without even saying bye to me. Such a big boy. I did go say bye to him. :)

He actually posed

This is more like him

Silly all the time

Silly silly boy

Have a great weekend!

Go Aggies!

First grade

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 22:03:00 +0000

Today Ella started first grade! I'm not sure how this happened. It really feels like summer just started but somehow our summer is officially over. At least Ella's is over. Bennett starts school next Friday. You'd think I'd be pushing them out the door but this summer flew by and these last two weeks at home I really enjoyed. I was actually a little sad to have summer come to an end. I could have had one more week at home with the kids. Ella had a great first day!! She picked out a cute new outfit and asked if it was the proper "three finger" width tank. I told her it was as long as it's her fingers, not mine. She was so excited to wear her glitter Tom's since Monday is a non-PE day. She has a few friends in her class. Her teacher is new to Norton this year but we got a good vibe from her last week and we even saw her out on a "date" Friday night but I told Ella to let her have quality time with her husband. :) Ella loved her first day of school. In fact, she was "Star Student" in her class! Wow, way to start the year and set the precedent for yourself, tiger! We'll be making sure that is how she behaves every day. Our little star will be off to soccer practice tomorrow and jazz on Wednesday while mommy registers her for softball this week. Her buddy, Sutton (below), is on her soccer team and they will hopefully be on the same softball team. This will be a busy year for us but life is an adventure and we live it to the fullest! Here's to a great year!!

Ready to go to school

Headed to school

Outside the class

Ella & Sutton

Giving hugs (the only picture I could get of Bennett)

After school (I forgot to get out my sign before school)

First day cookie

It's almost your turn, Bennett

Enjoy first grade, Ella!

Spring Recital 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Sat, 09 Jun 2012 20:50:00 +0000

Last night was Ella's recital. She was in a ballet/tap combo class again. She enjoys dancing but tap was her favorite. She has decided to take a jazz class in the fall, no more ballet. Some of her friends will be in her class again which she is excited about. The recital was cute and short. Thank goodness for that because Bennett had to go. He was good for the hour, thanks to Brooke, pretzels, a crazy lollipop I bought on the way, Skittles and Brooke's water. :) Next year Ella advances to the Big show. She'll be preforming in the night recital where the youngest dancers are six. Although it is cute to watch the little ones dance, I'm ready to watch the ballerinas and all the fun dancing I did waaayyy back in high school!

Daisy Troop - Kate, Lexi, Ella & Georgia

Monster faces

After the show

Our pretty ballerina

Sweet girl

Ella & Georgia after the show

Bennett's last day

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 02:25:00 +0000

Bennett also had a great first year of pre-school! His two teachers were wonderful! Mrs. Fields and Mrs. Lammes were great. I had really high expectations too because Ella's 3's were awesome but they left last year. I'll say my expectations were met. :) He loves going to school and he loves his friends. He has really started talking so much over the past year. We can really understand him and so can most people. His teachers love him to pieces. They would tell me almost everyday a "Bennett-ism," something funny he'd say or do. For instance, one day he walked up to Mrs. Fields and gave her a hug (she was sitting) and she turned to look at him and he kissed her right on the lips! She loves him so much she met us (and the Cains) for lunch yesterday with her daughter, Claudia. Let me say that Bennett is smitten with Claudia and has been since camp last summer. She's going into 7th grade. I'm so thankful for our pre-school and the amazing teachers. Both of our children have loved going to school and I think they are a huge reason.

I can't believe he'll be four in a few days. sigh

Here he is on the last day.

Mrs. Lammes

Mrs. Fields

B & Stasia

It has been joked all year that this is his future wife. :)

Where did the year go?

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 02:12:00 +0000

Kindergarten came and went just like that. At least it seems that way. I feel like just a week ago we walked our little girl down the halls for the first time and it's already been a week since school has been out! Ella had a great first year of school. She is an excellent student, social butterfly but only when the time is appropriate, people pleaser, over achiever to some degree, very bright (not because I'm her mom)... you know the typical model student. :) I hear from people all the time how pretty she is and that we are going to be in trouble in the later years. I think we're in trouble now. She was caught holding hands with her friend Colin earlier in the year. Almost all her friends in her class were boys. Finally, at the end of the year she started talking about some of the girls in her class. Her best friend was next door and she ran around with a few girls in that class but her teacher told me that in class it was Ella and a few boys. She said the click was the "smarter kids". Love it! Let's hope it stays this way - pretty and smart. Check back with me in a few years and I'll let you know how we're doing!!

Just before she left for her last day of school

Before the last week of school (3 days after Memorial Day) they had a Kindergarten Program, party and Field Day. Ella had a speaking part in the program. It was a sweet program. Here are a few pictures from the different events.

Proud parents after the Kinder Program

on the left are boys from her class; on the right is one that went to her pre-school

Ella & Mrs. Cole. We LOVE her!!!

Some girlfriends

Ava (BF) & Ella at the Kinder party

Field Day

What a great and fun year she had. In case you're wondering, I held myself together until I opened her report card on the last day. It was all good, of course, but had extra testing, all good with high marks and also included a letter from her teacher. Reading it all just made me cry. I really am one proud mommy! I love my girl to pieces!!

To SUMMER!

(taken this morning)

Queen of the Waves

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Wed, 02 May 2012 01:08:00 +0000

Ella participated in her first talent show! She and Ava sang and danced to the song "Queen of the Waves" from the movie Barbie and the Mermaid Tale. They were absolutely adorable!!
Here is a video. It's a little blurry at first but gets clear after a few seconds.

Before the show

Easter

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 20:23:00 +0000

I'm playing a catch-up. This year we celebrated Easter with a visit for the Easter Bunny overnight, of course. The kids had goodies in their baskets and eggs to find out back. Then Ella's choir was singing in church so we listened to them sing, beautifully, I might add. Then we went down to our friends, Nathan & Jill's for brunch. Our tradition for many years has been to have brunch with them on Easter. Now we get to hide eggs for the kids to find while we drink champagne. Good times! It was great day!!

Ready, set, hunt!

let's see what the bunny left us

Easter's finest

One thing we love about spring...

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:27:00 +0000

...are the pretty wildflowers. Just along the road in front of our neighborhood there are ton of them. Another thing the kids love about spring is all the ladybugs that come with the wildflowers. Ella did a project in class on ladybugs so I took the kids on a ladybug hunt. They had so much fun. I had my camera in tow in hopes of catching a cute spring photo.

Here are a few of my captured cuties.

Ella caught one right off the bat!

He's looking for something...

Sometimes they're so sweet to each other!

I just love this one

Again with the sweetness :)

And, a little sassiness, too.

Nothing says spring in Texas like Bluebonnets!!

Happy spring, y'all!

In the bath...

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:33:00 +0000

So, the other night Ella was taking a bath and I was sitting on next to her playing Draw Something or Scramble with Friends and I hear the longest water bubble sound I've heard.
I said, "Wow, Ella, you okay?"
And she said, "What, it was just a water fart?"
I said, "Water fart? As in the water farted?"
Ella, "Yeah." (with a look like duh)
Me, "Oh, I had no idea water could fart."

Like I am supposed to believe that! Such a lady she is!!!

And just because this needs a picture here's one my good friend Leslie took of her over spring break in San Antonio. Can you goes what the background is?

I'll have more time....

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:20:00 +0000

...when kindergarten starts! To do things, catch up around the house, crafts with Bennett, keep this little old blog up-to-date, etc. WRONG! Where does the time go? I can't keep anything straight around here. I don't know how life gets busier and busier but it sure does. I'm not complaining. Life is good, we are all happy and healthy. Kids are great, Chris is good - working and traveling, I'm good - busy mom, running, volunteering, taken a few trips but every day just passes by so fast. At the end of the day I just think, 'I still need to do .....' However, the most important thing is that we are all happy and healthy. I'm going to do my best to try and post once a week or every other week. I've taken a few trips and another one this weekend. Maybe I'll find some time to even post some pictures from those.

I started filling out the summer calendar and it's almost full. We almost have a first grader. Slow down!!!

What's missing?

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:04:00 +0000

What do you see missing from this precious face?

She lost her first tooth last Friday and couldn't be prouder! I was away on a girls' weekend and quite sad I missed it. :( She was upstairs with Bennett for movie night and pulled it out all by herself! What a big girl. She put it in her tooth fait pillow and kept it until Sunday so I could see it!! The fairy paid a visit Sunday night. The tooth next to the missing spot it loose, too. It won't be long before they're both missing.

Christmas vacation or was is sick-ation

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:02:00 +0000

Christmas did take place 11 days ago but it's never too late to post some pictures, right?!? I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas holiday and Happy New Year. Our break was nice but full of doctor's visits. Ella kick started the break with strep throat. By the middle of the week I thought Bennett had it too so I took him in but the test came back negative. Friday and Saturday he had a high fever but Christmas he was feeling better and the next couple days, too, just a yucky couch. However, on Wednesday he took a turn for the worse. He was cranky and clingy all day. Then at 5:00 he fell asleep on the couch and his cheeks were bright red so I took his temp - 103.6. I called the nurse line and they told me to take him in. As soon as he woke up we went to Acute Kids. I thought they'd tell me bronchitis and send me off to Target with a script. When we arrived his temp was 104.4! His oxygen saturation was low and his lungs weren't clear. Well, so much for my prediction! He ended up with a case of pneumonia. :( After a shot, breathing treatment, chest x-ray, antibiotic prescription and almost sent to Children's ER we were allowed to go home with the Nebulizer and strict instructions to see his pediatrician in the morning. Thank goodness for texting because I was texting Chris the whole time and he called the pedi and scheduled Bennett an appt at 9am. The next morning his oxygen was still low so we had to go back on Friday. It finally came up two points or numbers. Her instructions were to let him go outside on Saturday and breathe deep breaths to help clear out the lung that was still clogged. She said our friends' ranch was a great idea so off we went Saturday morning. He's finally better with a little residual cough lingering but I'm going to go ahead and turn the Nebulizer back in. He wasn't a fan at first but he and "Darth Vader" became friends.

I hope your breaks were peaceful and had less trips to the doctor!

Ready to open the traditional Christmas Eve gift - a new Christmas book

Bennett got on Pop Pop's lap and said, "Awkward." It was pretty funny.

Grandma & Pop Pop stayed the night with us!

Christmas Morning!

Love the fresh out of bed look

She asked for a gumball machine...

Yea, a shirt box!

He loves his light saber!

What's next?

Bennett told Santa he wanted the Toy Story Garbage Landfill Play Set. Santa didn't disappoint!

After they were finished opening their presents they discovered two envelopes on the mantle. These took them on a scavenger hunt. Ella's said, "Go to your Daddy's office"

Another present!

She has no idea what THAT is for?!?!?

KINDLE FIRE, YEA!!!!!

Bennett's note said, "Go to the garage"

He looked right at his present and then turned to the left before he it dawned on him that there was a...

JEEP for him (& Ella to share)

They were both real excited and couldn't wait to put on clothes to go test it out! Thank goodness Daddy & Pop Pop had that thing charging all night. :) I wish I could fit in it. It looks fun!!

Happy New Year!

Hugs,

NYC....kid-free

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:39:00 +0000

You read that right. I met the hubs for a very quick weekend in NYC a few weekends ago. He was working in New Jersey and I flew up Friday. Thanks to my sweet friend, Jen and Chris' sisters, Erin & Ally, for making it all happen! We did have to miss Bennett's Christmas program but we had a great time and bought the DVD. :) Friday we went to a bar at the Edison Hotel (where the girls and I stayed our senior year in college) and then luckily grabbed a cab as we were walking and went to Cook Shop in Chelsea for dinner. After dinner we took a cab to Rockefeller Center so I we could see the TREE. It is huge. I mean bigger than I thought. How in the world do they get a tree that large? Funny enough on the way home I sat next to a very nice Captain & flight instructor for American. He lives in NJ and commutes to DFW. He told me that this year the tree was purchased from his neighbors' tree farm and it was quite a chore to get it to Rockefeller Center. Chris asked him about the new aircraft AA is supposed to be releasing. Thank goodness they are going to start retiring those MD-80's! ;) Anyhow, Saturday morning we were the ultimate tourists in New York City. We walked down to the Empire State building and met our double decker bus. I, of course, wanted to sit on the upper level so I could take pictures. Let's just say it got cold and windy. We were freezing! I never thought I'd be "that" person/tourists and the only reason we did the bus was to get the 9/11 Memorial passes but it was actually really neat. I have been to most of the spots in NYC but this was just a nice scenic drive with a little history and photo ops! I got some neat pictures. Over the short weekend Chris and I did not get one picture together. After we got off of the bus my legs were so cold my thighs were numb. We got off a stop early and walked up a couple blocks to the Memorial to try and warm up. The Memorial is neat. It isn't quite complete. I'm sure once the museum opens it'll be even better but they have done a really nice job. AFter we left the Memorial we started walking towards SoHo and grabbed pizza and then ended up walking all the way back to Times Square, over three miles. We were so tired. I almost didn't wake up from my nap in time for dinner! We had an early dinner at Gallo Nero which was very small and good. Then we headed to the Gershwin Theatre for Wicked. Oh my, it was awesome! I loved it and Chris did, too! We had a quick trip but it was really fun!

Next month we're off to LA for my Half marathon. Please start praying if you haven't already because I don't know how I'm going to do it!!!

Some pictures from NYC:

Trying to get to dinner Friday night this was a big inconvenience!

The Tree

Times Square at night

St. Patrick's Cathedral

Empire State Building

View from the street corner - one tall building!

A neat building

NYC streets - might be my favorite picture

A fire had taken this cafe and building early in the morning - so sad.

Washington Square Arch

Santa

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:48:00 +0000

Oh, little blog of mine it seems like I have forgotten about you. So much has happened since I last wrote. I just can't keep my head above water these days! Instead of trying to catch up I'll just tell you about today:
It's a few days before Christmas. Ella's friend, Ava, spent the night last night even though Ella is getting over strep throat. They played all morning and we had our neighbor, JR, come over, too. Whew! Late this afternoon Chris and I took the kids to see Santa, finally. At Watters Creek there is no line. It's so fast. We've been three years now. This is also the first year we didn't have a Santa birthday party.

This year's picture:

I'll try to be better and post pictures again soon!

Merry Christmas!

Love,

Spidergirl and Spiderman ( take 2)

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:52:00 +0000

About six weeks ago we pulled out Bennett's Spiderman costume from last year. He tried it on and it fit. Ella said, "Why don't you be Spiderman and I'll be Spidergirl?" He said, "O-tay." I thought...this is too easy....only buy one costume. So, I waited a couple weeks, but they kept talking about it so I finally ordered her costume. I decided against telling Ella that the costume package read: Spidergirl - Spiderman's daughter. Ha, I thought she'd tell me to send it back!!

We had a few events to go to in costume this year. That's always nice to get your money's worth out of a costume! We went to the neighborhood carnival which was pretty fun but Ella was sick. Ella got to wear her's to ballet, our neighbor's have an annual party then to choir and Halloween. There were more options but that was enough for the kids this year!

This was taken on Sunday before the party. Her fishnet tights ripped at choir.

Ready to trick-or-treat!

My favorite pic of them :)

She looks like she's ready to take flight!

Our trick-or-treating group

Spiderman, Bethany Hamilton, Spidergirl, Abby Wambach & Lily the shark

We had a great night! Tuesday I went through their candy and took a bag up to the school. A local dentist paid $1/lb and they ship to to the troops through Operation Gratitude. Less for me to nibble on!!

Happy BirthWEEK

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 17:51:00 +0000

Yep, that's right Happy BirthWEEK. Ella had a whole week full of birthday celebrations. She's one super extra special lucky little girl!! Thank you to the all the Crawfords for coming over to celebrate the weekend before her birthday. We had fun hanging out and eating fajitas. She sure loves her gifts from everyone! Her actual birthday fell on a Thursday which is soccer practice day. As soon as she got home she wanted to open her presents but had to impatiently wait for daddy. If I'm not mistaken as soon as she got the green light his boss called so he missed it all. :( Off we went to soccer with cupcakes to share. Then back home for the dinner she requested: ribs and corn on the cob. Her favorite dinner! Then on Saturday we had some really great seats to the Rangers game (thank you Scott and Laura) and finally on Sunday, her much anticipated ALL girl bowling party. She plans her parties a year in advance and had been asking for a bowling party for a year so bowling it was. When it came time to actually plan it she asked for it to be all girls. I guess we're at that age. Then of course the week after school starts and invitations are going out she asks, "Mom can I invite Collin?" The printed invitations say "The girls are going bowling..." Sorry sweetheart! I'm pretty sure the party was a hit for all the girls. Everyone seemed to have a great time! However, I think we'll do something on a smaller scale next year like maybe a slumber party with just a few girls!!

the first celebration

On her actual birthday she apparently wore the same dress with a different top.

Julie's (American Girl) dogs

After soccer blowing out a candle on her real birthday

Let's BOWL

Pizza time

Ella and Georgia with Ava in the back

The cake! Ella picked this out online and I had a lady make it. The top was strawberry and the bottom vanilla. It was yummy. The favors were matching sugar cookies.

Sweet Wylie!

Ella and gifts

Dancing to the card from Taylor!

Happy 6th birthday to my BIG girl!

Boosterthon 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:46:00 +0000

Kindergarten is full of firsts. Today was another first for Ella! She participated in her first Boosterthon fundraiser at her school. This is a great way to raise money for schools without buying anything! The goal is to run 25-35 laps in a set time and ask for pledges. Ella made some calls and then made a poster that I emailed to ask for the rest. :) The money raised goes towards technology and new playground equipment. I think they are wanting a facelift to the current playground. They had all kinds of challenges and received prizes, like balls, water bottles, sun glasses, etc (all things to keep them moving). The kindergarten grade level was in the lead for the most pledges as of the end of the day yesterday. Her class has earned slipper day, crazy sock day, pajama day, movie/popcorn day.... These kids are so excited. She really does appreciate all the support! The principals have to be the best sports. They come to the race in costumes and cheer on the kids and then something about getting duct taped to the walls. I'll have to hear more about that tomorrow when I'm in the library. This year they came out in Angry Bird costumes!!! It was such a great event and so fun to watch all the kids.

Oh, yeah, Ella ran all 35 laps!!!! She even had a few minutes to spare. She is definitely a Crawford and making her daddy smile from ear to ear!

FYI: 1 lap = 1/16 of a mile
Ella ran 2.19 miles
I think she might run the Tinkerbell instead of me!!

Enjoy a few photos I took....

Angry Birds!

Classes lined up listening to Dynamite Dave's instructions...

Walking their first lap (Ella has the pink ribbon - only for about two laps)

There she goes...

Coach Mandy marking her shirt - they had to have their shirts marked after each lap. Ella really didn't want to slow down though.

Keep it moving, girl!!

Loving it!

Water break - he had them slow down and skip, walk, etc every 5 minutes or so.

Getting pink cheeks

She found Ava, briefly. She had to keep moving.

Getting pretty sweaty.

"Put your hands up" dancing to the lyrics

Final lap!!!!!

Cooling down with time to spare :)

Ok, so maybe more than a few photos but isn't she too cute! Such a good sport. How could I stop?!?

Way to go Ella!!!

Gospel Gang

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 18:19:00 +0000

This past Sunday was Ella's first time to sing in church for the fall. She moved up to the Luke choir (K-1st). Unfortunately Chris and I didn't get to attend the service and see them sing. They sang at the 11:00 service and her party started at 11:45 so we had to take the cake to the bowling alley. This video is from the church's website taken the Sunday prior at run throughs. Ella is on the top row on the right side.

Another year has gone by...

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 12:00:00 +0000

I feel like I just blinked and she was spitting out her baby food, stressing me out, trying to figure out why she wouldn't eat. Or, she was just playing in the leaves in the backyard on Marquita. Maybe we had just gotten home from a Mommy and Me gymnastics class with little brother in tow in the infant carrier. I was teaching her how to write her letters, the incorrect way since D'Nealian is the proper way these days, or possibly how to read. But, no, today I blink and open my (teary) eyes to my budding, bright, beautiful six year old daughter. She's one of the sweetest, kindest, warm-hearted but yet stubborn, impatient, sassy little girls I know. She loves her family with all her heart and is so excited to see everyone, even her brother...until he pushes her buttons. In case you're wondering, buttons are pushed quickly. She loves her friends. Sometimes a little too much. I have to remind sweet Ella that family comes first from time to time. She LOVES, loves, loves school. Every morning the alarm goes off and she pops out of bed ready to go! I sure hope her positive attitude towards school sustains throughout the years. Most importantly she loves Jesus. I'm so proud that every year she has talked about Christmas being about Jesus' birthday, not Santa and most recently we've been reading Bible verses every morning before school. She runs downstairs so we can read them and discuss. I love her eagerness to learn! Ella has such a positive outlook on life that one can not help but smile when around her.

Ella you are certainly the most perfect daughter I could ask for. I am so thankful for you everyday and know you are a blessing to me and your daddy, and Bennett, too. We love you to the moon and back. I know life has such wonderful things planned for you and I can't wait to see you continue blossom.

Happy Birthday, Ella Bella!

That's right, I'll always be right there in your eyes everywhere you look (if you look closely you can see me in her pupils)!

Ella and her BFF Ava

Bennett is a Pre-schooler

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 21:51:00 +0000

Last Friday Bennett started school, pre-school! He's moved up from MDO to the pre-school world. He's in Ella's old classroom but has new teachers. He's going three days a week just like she did. On Meet the Teacher day he was rather clingy to me and didn't leave my side until he spotted some super hero-ish toys. After that he made himself right at home and didn't want to leave. His friend, Stasia, from last year is in his class and Lila who's older sister is Georgia (Ella's good friend) is in his class. Other than those two girls none of his friends made it into his class. I wasn't sure what to expect Friday morning...would he cry like he does every Sunday we go to church (same building) or walk right in. He walked right in with a wave and, "Bye mom." What a big boy! When I arrived at 2:00 to pick him up he was still asleep on his nap mat...something I hadn't seen in about six weeks at home. He has had a great first two days of school. I'm sure this will be a great year! We love our teachers at pre-school!!

Ready to go!

These were taken before Ella left for school.

Let's try this again...

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 19:42:00 +0000

A few weeks ago I printed out these adorable signs for the first day of school where your kid holds up the sign and you take a picture. I even sent out an email to my other mom friends to share the cute idea. Guess what...last night I said, "Ella, I forgot to take a picture of you holding up the 'First day of Kindergarten' sign." She replies to me, "It's ok mom, you can do it tomorrow on my second first day of school." Man I love this kid!

Ella's second first day of school :)