Tuesday, August 2, 2011

First Day of Kindergarten

Monday July 25th was the first day of Kindergarten at San Tan Elementary. I felt like I reached a new level of Mom-hood when I had to actually start packing a real lunch and writing notes for my baby to find when she opened her lunch box.




Ella was so excited! She picked out her own outfit and shoes. hee hee.



Per tradition... here is a year by year of her first day of school. WOW... they really DO change so much from year to year. It's crazy! sniffle :'(




She was so excited to see her besties from the neighborhood when we got to the bus stop.





Look at these big girls!!



Photos with Mommy and Daddy!




There are so many of Ella's friends from the neighborhood riding with the bus with her it makes it a little easier to feel ok about her on there.



The bus is here!!



She got on the bus... and we got right in the car to race to school, LOL!!



Ryen: "Where is my SISTER!?" (as we wait for her bus to pull in)



Daddy: "Where is my Baby???" (lmao!!!)



Here she comes!! She was so excited and LOVED her bus ride!



Seriously... how priceless is this photo of her and Rachel holding hands all the way from the bus to their class lines? It was like their body language said "You're not alone. We're in this together!"



And hugs for her friend Ryan who is in her class this year!



Ready to go into class now!!



I didn't go into the classroom (I had some self control) but I did snap one photo!



I did meet her at school after it ended, to make sure there was someone to take her to the bus and that it wasn't as chaotic.




And who wouldn't love riding the bus when you get to sit like this?? (don't worry I was the first Mom there and NO ONE saw me jump on the bus for a photo! ha ha)



After school we told her we would take her out to dinner for any food she wanted. And she MADE her Daddy's dreams come true by requesting steak and baked potato!!



We hope she adjusts well and has a wonderful year. :) We love you Ella Belle. xo

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

A Kindergarten Poem

She started school this morning, And she seemed so very small. As I walked there beside her In the Kindergarten hall. And as she took her place beside the others in the class, I realized how all too soon Those first few years can pass. Remembering, I saw her as She first learned how to walk. The words that we alone made out When she began to talk. This little girl so much absorbed In learning how to write. It seems as though she must have grown To girlhood overnight. My eyes were blurred by hastily I brushed the tears away Lest by some word or sign of mine I mar her first big day. Oh how I longed to stay with her And keep her by the hand To lead her through the places That she couldn't understand. And something closely kin to fear Was mingled with my pride. I knew she would no longer be A baby by my side. But she must have her chance to live, To work her problems out, The privilege to grow and learn What life is all about. And I must share my little girl With friends and work and play; She's not a baby anymore -- She's in Kindergarten today. First Day Of Kindergarten School Poem ~Author Unknown~

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Glamorous Day Indeed!!

The day before Ella started her first day of Kindergarten I had a surprise for her. I planned an entire special day of just Ella and Mommy time. I took her to the Arizona Mills mall for a photo shoot at Glamour Shots.



She was SO excited and giddy about it. She could not WAIT to get her make up and hair done and she was in the chair loving every second of it!!






All ready for my shoot!!



Behind the scenes photos!!





Touch ups...



Playing in between shoots...




I never saw her smile so much and my heart was melting.





Her next surprise was I took her to lunch at Rainforest Cafe, which she LOVES. Funny thing is, she had just asked me the day before, when can we go back there? And I said oh not for a while honey. So when she saw we were going there she said "Mommy you fibbed me!!".



She requested the table next to the Elephants,



and had fun posing with the fish and animals.




After lunch we headed back to Glamour Shots to see all the photos Ella took. It ended up being a video slideshow set to the song "Girls Just Want to Have" by Cyndi Lauper. I was sitting there watching with Ella, who was still smiling like crazy, and just could not believe how grown up my 4 yr old looked. I literally started balling like a baby. The sales girl grabbed and my hand and was like are you OK? I was so embarrassed. I kept telling her, I'm OK, I'm OK, let's just keep watching. When she looked unsure, I explained it's not just the photos, but also that she is starting Kindergarten tomorrow and I'm a little emotional. She gave me a sympathetic nod and luckily stopped staring at me so I could cry in private. But here are the three photos below that I bought; honestly, can you blame me for crying?




Saturday, June 4, 2011

Ella's Pre-K Graduation 2011

Last night was Ella's graduation at Premier Learning Academy. They started the ceremony with a song called "God is Bigger" and Ella had a solo part to open the show. :) She was excited but nervous before it started. How cute.



Here it is below...



She was so cute in her cap and gown.




Then the kids in the class who can read were invited up to read a book for the audience. Ella was one of them. Here she is....



Her entire class also signed the alphabet while singing about it. The only unfortunate thing about having a tall kid is she is always in the back :/



Ella getting her diploma :)



She is so proud...






The girls of the graduating class



Yay Ella! She is ready for new adventures at San Tan Elementary this year!



But we are sad for Ella that she has to say goodbye to her best friend Natalie. These girls became so close at school and spent every second playing together.



Ella doesn't really understand that she will likely never see Natalie again or get to play with her anymore. I didn't have the heart to tell her. So we just made sure they said goodbye to each other and gave hugs and took photos.



And Ella said goodbye to her teacher Mrs. Debby. But not for good, cause Ella will pop into PLA a few times this Summer for some playtime and also Ryen will be going to school at PLA for the next two years. Ella loves Mrs. Debby so much and will miss her xo




We are so proud of Ella. She is getting so big way too fast!

Site Counter