New School in California!

We've landed!



We are all now in Pasadena and getting used to everything.

Today was Ellies first day at her new school.



She was pretty excited this morning...although I could tell she was a little nervous. She kept asking if there would be certain things that she was used to, like show and tell or snacktime...or friends for Ellie. She was very excited there would be swings and picnic tables.



When we arrived, her teacher met us just beyond the gate. She said, "hi Ellie...welcome toyour new school!" Ellie ran straight to her and gave her a hug!



Ellie found her cubby and put her lunchbox away.



Then she walked into one of the rooms. Turned out she wa the first kid there (at 8:00am) and she had her choice of all the toys. Ellie went straight for the doll house. Of course.



Nick started work at 6am today. Looks like on the other side of the country, I will do drop-off and Nick will have pick-up!

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Last Day at Schraffts!

This is the last morning update from Boston and Ellies last day of school at Bright Horizons Schraffts Center.



This morning started out extra special because we went to Dunkin Donuts (mommy needed a coffee) and they were generous enough to give Ellie a munchkin!



However, she also got a bagel with cream cheese and ate it on the walk to school.



Once we got to school Ellie said some good-byes to other teachers. Big hugs and kisses from Ellies toddler teacher LaVonne (aka Vonnie).



Ellie wore her special California shirt to school. She is definitely sad to leave her friends, but excited for the new school and friends in California.



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Beginning the Good-byes

Last night I wrote thank you notes to all of Ellies teachers at her current school. This morning, Ellie and I delivered them to teachers that were at school. She wasn't too impressed with the best wishes, hugs, and "we are going to miss you little blondie" that we got. She was excited to visit her old rooms and say hi to the babies.

Leslie, one of her infant teachers told me a story of how yesterday, as a parent of an infant was getting her stroller, Ellie who wa in the gym playing told this parent that she was moving to California and then her mommy was going to have a baby.

Anyway, back to today...after we visited classrooms, Ellie started to do some dot art by herself in preschool.



She also took her mermaids which Aunt Susie got her at the aquarium for show and tell.



But in the end, the draw of snack was too much and she joined her friends at the table.






In other news...our car is on a carrier and on it's way to L.A.

Confession

I don't know how Nick does this everyday. How does he come up with overall topics or stories?Cute little titles? Get Ellie to pose as much as he does? It's hard work...but he's good at it. I guess that's why he works in TV and I don't.

This morning, nothing exciting or blog worthy happened. It was a boring Wednesday morning. I couldn't even get Ellie to ham it up very well for the camera.









Well actually Ellie was excited to go to school becase it is Meara's birthday. But then she asked if Meara could come to California and be her friend at her new school. I explained that she couldn't and Ellie would make new friends...then this happened...










But when we got to school, Meara was there and the two started playing in flour.








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After a day off...back to school

Yesterday Ellie spent the day with Aunt Susie. They went to the aquarium, had lunch in the North End, and went to the library. A very educational day. Ellie told me she liked the penguins at the aquarium. Aunt Susie told me she liked watching Ellie eat cheesy pasta! The three of us went out to dinner once I finished with work.

Ellie also sweet talked her aunt into buying her some mermaids at the aquarium gift shop. Ariel and her friends are now some if Ellies favorite toys and will make it on the "toys we pack list" for our flight on Friday to California.






Because we drove to dinner and got back kinda late, we had to park not as close to our house as usual. So this morning we had a bit of a walk to the car.



It was a little chilly and Ellie elected to wear her sweater from Grandma Pam without the hood so it "doesn't hurt her in her car seat". She is quite particular about what she wears..


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"Have a good flight, Mallie!"

Yes, that's what Ellie yelled as we drive away from the airport after dropping off Nick and Mallie. Mallie wasn't so happy about the car ride, or going through security but calmed down in the waiting area (according to Nick).



In the photo above Ellie is talking to Mallie who isn't happy in her new travel crate.



Ellie tried to help carry Nicks luggage, but it was stuffe to the brim and heavy (but just under 50lbs).

After dropping Nick and Mallie off at the airport, Ellie and I headed out for a special breakfast before school.


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Horsing Around

Or, really, Ponying Around.

This morning Ellie chose to bring her new birthday present from her friend Timmy to school for Show & Tell. Over the weekend Timmy was excited to give her this My Little Pony.. that comes with her own remote-controlled car. A pretty cool toy. "But we're not bringing the car or the remote control to school because it'd be too much to carry in our hands," says Ellie.

Anyway.. at the bus stop I tried to get a picture of Ellie and her pony, but that wasn't so easy.









This will be my last post from Boston.. but stay tuned for daily updates from California!



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Shopping Trip

This morning Ellie, Baby Sister, and Suitcase Baby took a shopping trip in our basement. Ellie said she wanted to buy an airplane and a car for California.



Before we left, though, Ellie told me.. "I have to get some money." So.. she went over to the drawers you see behind her, opened one up, and pretended to take some money out.

I asked her how much money she needs to buy an airplane and a car for California and she said, "I need five monies."



I wish it was that simple. Haha...

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Pony Express?

Almost as soon as they were in, they went right back out.

Ann spent the time this morning giving Ellie a couple of pony tails that made her look very Springy, cheery, and cute. Ellie even requested them.



(Ellie entertained herself at home this morning by turning on Ann's Kindle Fire, scrolling through the apps to find the animal game she wanted to play, playing it for a bit, and then turning the Kindle back off again.)

Back to the ponies. As soon as we got to the bus stop.. out they came.



I tried to talk her out of it, and she did want to say "Thanks!" to Mommy.. but there was no stopping her.

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Happy Patriots Day!

As usual on a holiday, it was a little tricky negotiating a scaled down, but equally late / unreliable bus schedule. So.. Ellie and I had a little extra time at the bus stop this morning. Thankfully, though, since it's so nice outside, we found plenty of things to do. We took a trip back home to pick up Ellie's water bottle and her Princess Minnie for Show & Tell.. then we played a couple games of tag and hide and seek near the Grasshopper and the bus stop.






Ellie thought she could hide by closing her eyes. She said she was just joking, though.






Then.. after a mini-wipe out, Ellie held her water bottle over a boo-boo from yesterday on the playground, actually, because "the water bottle feels cold like ice."



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Smile Gallery

This morning at the bus stop Ellie told me, "I want to shoe you all my different smiles." Here's what she came up with:

"Silly Smile:"


"Close Eyes Smile:"


"No Teeth Smile:"


I think I've seen more over the years.. but maybe she's saving those for another day.

Once we were done with the smiles, we heard a loud racket coming down the street. "I think a fire truck is coming, Daddy. Maybe somebody is hurt."

"Maybe it's an ambulance," I said before spotting which emergency vehicle was on the way. I thought it sounded like an ambulance.

Sure enough, though.. Ellie was right.. "See? I told you it was a fire truck!"

Didn't look to be too much trouble at the house where the truck parked as we passed, but Ellie was fascinated nonetheless.



Once at school Ellie joined Kiernan in practicing their cutting with safety scissors.



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