YUMMY SUMMER GOODNESS!

This is the loving house where Ella spent most of her time while I worked. Ella started staying with Mrs. Sheryl in January 2008. This was the perfect setting for Ella at such a young age. Mrs. Sheryl at the most had five children in her care. It was a nurturing and loving environment for our little lady to grow and learn. After a little over two years, we said goodbye to Mrs. Sheryl. Ella is ready for school and will start preschool when I return to work. We will miss the wonderful care Mrs. Sheryl provided. But as I mentioned in the last post, all things baby are gone and she is a "big girl" now. As the time approaches for her to begin preschool, I find myself getting a little emotional. I know she will love preschool and do great, and so will mommy-in time! Off to school you go...big girl!

Goodbye Mrs. Sheryl, we will miss you!

BIG GIRL!

So it is official! We are baby free. After Ella was fully potty trained, I decided it was time to convert the toddler bed to a full size bed. At that point, I was finally ready to let go of all things baby. I was surprised I was SO ready, because letting go of other things were very emotional for me. Needless to say we all LOVE Ella's new bed. Once put together, she requested one thing-PURPLE blankets. This girl LOVES purple! I picked the comforter because it is good quality, colorful, and matched her room. She picked out the purple sheets. Funny thing, there is NO purple in the comforter but that's okay! Ella is so excited about her bed. Sometimes we would let her fall asleep in our bed at night or for nap. Now she says, " I wanna go to my bed. I a big girl." And yes you are! Mommy's big girl! Lovin' it!

Where are you going?

This little girl is on a mission! She is off to find all the cool and interesting animals mommy and daddy keep telling her about and that she has only seen in books. Recently, we became zoo members. It has been a year since we took Ella to the zoo. We were excited and eager to take her again. Last time she was more interested in running than admiring the animals. This time was not any different. Well perhaps a little different. There were a few critters that stopped her in her tracks.

The gorillas were a sight to see.

Watching the cute and furry panda.

While waiting for the baby panda, she decided to act like a monkey. The picture is a little blurry, but it was SO funny seeing her do this. She did it a lot while we were at the zoo. She would just hang from a bar and swing back and forth. This girl needs to be in gymnastics.

Finally he wandered over. Ella was thrilled. She loves panda bears. Two years ago on a school field trip, I bought her a stuffed Mei Lan. Mei Lan was the first baby panda at Zoo Atlanta. Ella LOVES her Mei Lan. So seeing a real baby panda was very exciting.

Xi Lan came over and layed down right in front of Ella like he knew she loved pandas! It was a sight to see. I thought we would never get her out of there.

Our last stop was the humongous elephants. Ella really enjoyed watching them.

We had fun time at the zoo. We were exhausted at the end of the day, but glad we went. I can't wait to take her again!

Absolutely Perfect!

Mother's Day was VERY special to me this year. Jarrod was going to take Ella shopping and let her pick a gift out for me. I gave him a handful of ideas and off they went. I was very eager and excited to see what that little creative mind would select as the perfect gift. Once they returned I heard two VERY different stories...what an adventure they had! If Ella tells you the story, these are the highlights:

• Mommy present purple.
• I saw a bear, a tiger, a lion.
• I rode it but it was broken.
• I was crying.
• I saw Natalie and Athan.
• I go with Daddy.
• Mommy stayed in my room.

She will tell you this version of her story over and over and over. This adventure made an impression on her. It is SO funny to hear. Wow she is quite expressive! Now here is the REAL story according to Daddy:

• They went shopping at Target. Ella had her own idea of where to go and what to buy. She was all over the place and not very compliant.
• They could not find any of the items I suggested.
• After talking on the phone with Jarrod, Ella found the perfect gift. It was not exactly what I asked for, but it was purple. (Ella's favorite color!)
• Afterwards, they had lunch with Natalie and Nathan. Ella cried when they left the restaurant. Long story as to why.
• Last, Jarrod had to pick up his repaired lawnmower from the Ace Hardware in Woodstock. Inside the store is a VERY large stuffed bear (yes it's real). They have a mountain lion, too. Ella was mesmerized by them. Not so sure where the tiger comes in to the story.
• While waiting for help, Ella "rode" on the riding lawnmowers, but much to her dismay they would not work even when she pushed the buttons.
• When they came home, Ella told me I had a purple present. She was right!

AND yes, the present was perfect. It symbolized what Ella loves and what I love. What was the perfect gift she to carried over to Daddy? A journal. I had been wanting a journal for writing down all of Ella's funny quotes and stories. I really wanted one without lines, but Ella found a purple one with butterflies on it. Even though it had lines inside, it was Ella's favorite color. Plus I love butterflies. She also picked out a purple picture frame for me, and inside the frame was the cute picture below. Pieces of what we both love! She was very excited to hand give me my gift, and she kept saying "Mudder's Day". It was in the perfect bag picked out by her: white with purple and pink flowers. She walked over with it and pulled out each thing for me. First, the card with 3 cute kittens on the front. She pointed out her name on the inside and that it said "Mudder's Day". Next, she showed me the journal. She quickly gave me a pencil to write in it. Last, the handed me the frame and told me it was purple. I admired the gifts, and soon after Ella put them all back in the bag. Then, she began to show me my gift again. Throughout the day she would show me my gift over and over or just walk around carrying the bag on her arm like a little lady. A few times I watched her turn every blank page in the journal as if it was the best story ever. One day it will be once I fill the pages with all her cuteness. She was very excited about her adventure with Daddy, and she was very proud of her gift. Why? Because it was perfect! Simple, sweet, and perfect. Melts my heart and makes me smile. Thank you Daddy and my little angel for a wonderful Mother's Day and especially for creating a very special memory! I love you!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

We have started a NEW tradition. Every year around Mother's Day we take Ella to Leita Thompson Park Memorial Park and Rose Garden. It is small but fun to watch Ella run on the brick sidewalk and pick flowers. The pictures are given as gifts for Mother's Day.

So Happy Mother's Day to our wonderful moms: Grandma, Mimi, and Gigi!

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Easter at Grandma's

It's funny how I look blogs belonging to friends, and I am disappointed when they do not update it. Why is it funny? Because I am just as guilty of that! I must spend more time looking at other blogs and facebook than I spend updating my own. I vow to do better! With that being said, we had a great time at Grandma's for Easter. I know that was forever ago. Ella really enjoyed egg hunting and eating yummy treats. The chocolate kisses were a BIG hit! I really love exposing her to traditions I found to be SO fun when I was little. I cherish these moments!

Off we go!

Found one!

Oooooo, yummy!

What's in this one?

More candy?

I found more.

I like this game!

All done!

Me and my cousin, Natalie.

That's my candy!

Mmmmmm....

Chocolately goodness.