School shirt day

The last Friday of every month is school shirt day where the kids are supposed to show school pride and wear their school shirts. I knew this, but it slipped my memory this morning until Ellie reminded me. Then our conversation went like this.

"oh yeah! Thanks for the reminder Ellie, let's go put your shirt on."

"no. I don't like my shirt I wanna wear my dress."

"Ellie, it's pink, we can wear it over your dress and it will match."

"I don't like pink. I only like purple!"

"but Ellie, all your friends will be wearing their shirts."

"Mommy, you said that just because my friends did something doesn't mean I have to do it too! I don't wanna wear my shirt!"

Okay. I'm not going to win this argument. So we went to school without her school shirt.

At school she saw all her friends in shirts. Her teacher asked where we shirt was, and I relayed the argument of this morning. Her teacher laughed and said, "you definitely have a smart one here!"

Her teacher said that she had some extras if Ellie changed her mind. After about 2 minutes of thinking about it...she changed her mind.










The extra her teacher had was blue and too big for Ellie. Which Ellie wasn't happy about and said she wished she had her own pink shirt. Consequences.

Happy Friday!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Suitcase Baby takes a field trip

Today is sharing day. For the past 3 or 4 sharing days, Ellie has taken Rapunzel. Today she wanted to take Baby Sister. And there was crying, throwing of items, pouting and tantrums when I said no. We have strict rules regarding Baby Sister and red blanket. If anything was to happen to either of those, or if a friend looked at them the wrong way...or wanted to play with them...there would be a disaster. So they stay home and don't get to go to school.

But Suitcase Baby is free to go to school.




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

It's foggy!

Ellie immediately noticed that it was foggy out and we couldn't see the sun. She was kinda fascinated about what we could and couldn't see. "I can't see those trees mommy" "I can't see the tower at school".




She wanted a picture with the fog. Hopefully it looks okay.

At school she was a little sad to see me leave (her usual act). But her friend Lauren...who appeared to be having a tough morning herself, gave Ellie a hug and invites her to play with her. I think these two are pretty good friends.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Early morning

I get to drive to Beverly Hills this morning...with traffic it takes about 75 minutes. Ugh. That means Ellie goes to school early. 7:00am early.

We were both tired, cranky and grumpy this morning. To try and lighten the mood I started singing the "whole stole the cookies from the cookie jar". Ellie apparently didn't like that because she said to me, "mommy, stop singing. Your singing makes me want to poop."

Well then. I knew my voice wasn't the best, but that's harsh kid!

Once at school Ellie enjoyed her yogurt.




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Reunited!

The big truck came from Boston yesterday with all of our belongings. Ellie, in particular, was VERY happy to see some of her most cherished toys. Among that list was the baby crib and baby stroller.

As soon as boxes started coming off the truck she was asking if the baby stroller or baby crib was in them. Nick started digging through boxes as soon as it was relatively safe to do so.

And we found the crib and stroller. So happy. Ellie wouldn't leave the stroller at the house last night. This morning, she came into our room pushing the stroller with baby. Happiness.










- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Swimming lesson day

Friday means swimming lessons. Nick will pick Ellie up a little early and take her to the aquatic center for her lesson. Last week, and lately when swimming at the apartment pool, Ellie complains about her hair in her face. So today, nick and Ellie both requested a braid for Ellie to stop the wet, wayward hair from getting in her face.

Knowing Ellie has a lot of flyaways that would fall out of the braid by lesson time...I tried to get a little creative with her hair.



The bonus...when she takes the pony tail out during nap, her teachers said they would be more than happy to put it back in.




She was happy. She thanked me for giving her pretty hair. She was also VERY happy at all the compliments and interest she got at school.

Here's to keeping the pony in till swimming lessons!












- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Early bird...

...gets the yogurt!

We got to school right at 7am today as the teacher was unlocking the doors. So early morning... So early, we took breakfast to school. Ellie's coveted yogurt cup. She was excited to show me where spoons and napkins were.










- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Creepy good memory

Well, Nick went grocery shopping yesterday and Ellie was most excited to see the yogurt cups (single serving Greek yogurt). "Mommy, I'm a big girl now. I don't want squishy yogurt, I want to eat yogurt from the cup." Well then. I guess Ellie has decided she is too mature for squishy yogurt now.

On the way to school we saw a crossing guard who was helping kids cross the street. Ellie informed me it was a stop sign but asked why the man was holding it. I started to explain the merits of a crossing guard and she interrupted me and said, "like in Boston when the lady would help me and daddy cross the street to catch the bus?" yes. Exactly. Can't believe she remembers that. The last time she did that was over 5 months ago.

Then she asked why the crossing guard was there and I pointed out the elementary school. "mommy, remember when you were a little girl and went to school? You went to the same school as Aunt Susie. She is your little sister." Yes, yes I did remember and know that. Now that is a normal conversation. When she said this I got a little freaked out...

"mommy, remember the kids hands at your school, we're those yours or Aunt Susu's? Did you know those kids?"

At the front of my elementary school are tiles decorated with handprints of students (not me or Susie, this happened after we left). How she remembered that, I don't know. I don't remember talking about it last time we stopped by there at least a few months ago. I was impressed.

Then at school, she showed me "silly walking" (aka walking on her heels).











And here are a couple bonus photos of Nick and Ellie at a petting zoo from last Friday night.











Ellie didn't like the attention from all the animals.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Silly Stuff

Me again.

I wound up taking the day off work because I haven't felt too well the past couple days. (I got whatever it was Ann and Ellie had over the weekend that caused upset stomachs and more.)

So.. I got to take Ellie to school again this morning. She was excited to bring her Rapunzel doll for "Sharing Day" (same as Show & Tell).. and then when we got to school she told me that people say to Rapunzel, "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let your hair down." Then she let her own hair down while pretending to hang upside down from the little coat rack by the front door.



After that it was time for Ellie to sit down for circle time.. and for me to leave. But Ellie wasn't very excited about that. She didn't even want to make silly faces with me into the camera. I thought the face she *did* make was pretty funny, though...



...and when she saw me laughing she decided it was time for silly faces after all.. and laughed along with me.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Big Appetite

I got the day off again today.. since I worked Sunday morning.. so I got to take Ellie to school.

Before we left, as we were getting buckled up in the car Ellie told me she was going to "bite the garage off and eat up all the cars." And I though I gave her enough for breakfast...



Once at school I got to participate in a good, old game of "The Wheels on the Bus." Ellie thought it was funny when I tipped my hat just like the daddies on the bus.



After that Ellie was a little less upset that I had to go and she had to go to the school-time classroom. Once in there, though, and once I was out of view, she was right back to her cheerful self.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

This morning Ellie wasn't quite herself.. still getting over her little stomach bug.. but she cheered up when we got to school.

First she wanted to show me how she can buckle her bike and scooter helmet all by herself.


Then it was snack time with some of Ellie's new friends. She didn't eat such a big breakfast, and she says she likes to have snacks with her friends at the snack table, so that's what she did.


Ellie did a good job of peeling her banana and keeping the peel in a near little pile.


Then Ellie was very excited to show me the Clifford (the Big Red Dog) computer game. She liked watching Clifford pull a big doghouse float in the parade... using his tail.


She got a little upset when I left, but then I reminded her about the pizza party lunch for her friend Holden's birthday party.. and swimming lessons in the afternoon.. and she cheered up again.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Pumped for Pizza

Back at school

Despite being a little groggy an having a loose BM this morning, Ellie insisted her tummy felt well enough for school. She didn't eat much, a handful of Cheerios, but she promised she would take it easy.

Before I could say anything to the teachers Ellie told them, "my tummy isn't well do no milk for me today, only water. Also I need to take it slow. If I don't feel well, I'll tell you and you can call my mommy." yep, that's about it.

I may try and get her early today. She never had a fever, but definitely had a stomach bug or something.

She didn't feel much up to playing with friends so she stuck close to her teacher and read a catalog.







Hopefully the day goes well for her...

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sick Day

This morning as we were putting on shoes, Ellie threw up. She threw up again after we got everything all cleaned up. So I called school and told them she was staying home. Ugh.

Well, I needed to be at the new house to let the electrician in as well as the water heater guy. So we packed some toys and headed over to the new house.

Ellie was excited to see her bed...and her room.









Because there is work going on in the house, Ellie and I are hanging out outside and in the guesthouse. Fortunately she has some chalk she got as a party favor from the birthday party.










So, some glimpses on the new house as well today. She may not look it in these photos...but she isn't feeling well.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Ellie in Charge!

The nice thing about having my office in Pasadena is that Ellie and I get a bonus 30+ minutes in the morning since I don't have to commute to Burbank. So Ellie usually is at school around 8:15 am (of course that will change come November when I have a HUGE construction job starting in in BH).

Well Ellie convinced me it was "Sharing Day" and when we got to school I confirmed that Tuesday's and Thursdays were indeed sharing day at school. Ellie took Rapunzel because she wanted to show her friends that she had pretty hair like Ellie! Not that Ellie has ever had a high opinion of her hair or anything!

But as soon as Ellis dropped her stuff off at school in her cubby, Ms. Hyde declared that it was time to cleanup and she needed someone to ring the bell. Next thing I know, Ellie darts out of the room and come running back ringing a bell! Ms. Hyde looked at me and said, "That's Ellie, taking charge and enforcing the rules!".



So there. I guess Ellie has taken over the classroom. Maybe a little Aunt Susu in her??



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Everyone else's first day...

Today at school was the first day for all the new kids. There were quite a few new faces and parents at school when we got there which overwhelmed Ellie. At least she isn't the new or youngest kid anymore. Ellie can take on her favorite role of "helper" to the younger kids now.
No pictures from school, buy hopefully you enjoy these videos from the weekend.


Ellie was pretending to be a singer on stage. She had an audience all around her, in the round so to speak.
NOTE: I don't know why the second video isn't playing or didn't upload all the way. I'll have to wait to talk to Nick, because I don't know how to do all this fancy internet video stuff. Be patient. Its worth it.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Excuses...

Ugh. Ellie wasn't asleep until after 11pm last night. She was full of the excuses:

- I have a boo-boo on my back
- Im thirsty
- the little boy upstairs is making too much noise.
- I'm too excited about swimming lessons
- I needed to check that my balloon was still there (in her closet)
- I have to wash my hands because I picked my nose
- I can't sleep because the TV is on in your room
- I can't sleep because I'm thinking about the new house
- my boo-boo on my toe hurts
- I wanted to see if Daddy is sleeping
- I wanted to remind you I don't need a lunch tomorrow
- my cheeks are hot
- I don't want tangles in my pretty hair
- I need to teach Baby Sister how to swim too

...on and on! It was hard to keep a straight face when she told me she picked her nose though.

Today is going to be pretty exciting. A friend at school is celebrating a birthday which means pizza lunch and cupcakes for Ellie. And then I'm going to pick her up from school and we have swim lessons!

This morning, when I told her that Daddy is going on vacation this weekend and it was just going to be just us girls she started to cry and said, "I don't want Daddy to go on vacation because I love him so much!"



she definitely was a grump in the car and didn't want to talk. I think it was a combination of not enough sleep, excitement overload, and pissed her dad is going on vacation without her.



Once at school she was a different person! Immediately grabbing a toy and chatting up her friends. She told me all about how excited she was to practice writing today too.









- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone