Happy Birthday to us and a few other cool things.

I have been working on this post for seven days! Sheesh. There has been so much going on as we wind up Ella's last bit of Kindergarten. Never did I think it would go this quickly. Poof - school year gone.

Ella and I had great birthday filled with ice cream sundaes with our peeps. She opted for no big party this year. Because she made my life easier, we were able to have everyone over on May 19 instead of doing it the weekend before or after. Yay for everyone! 

But before May 19, I got to hang out with my girls and create art with one of our city's best artists. 

And then we finished up our music school with Miss Cheryl. Ella and Roz are one step closer to playing the piano!

All that hard work called for ice cream cones.

Big smiles from the birthday girls before heading to school and work!

Larry and I surprised Ella at school and brought homemade brownies for both kindergarten classes. Not only did the lunch room sing happy birthday to Ella, but the little cutertons sang for me too!

I split from school to have my feet pampered a bit.

Ella came home to a special surprise from our neighbors Rey and Rosemary.

And then the chaos ensued.

She was so surprised by her scooter! Her recent Annie kick has overshadowed her ongoing requests from the months prior. She wanted a scooter and she wanted it to be a 'big girl' one.

She's not overly thrilled with the mandatory helmet wearing but she's getting better each day.

Special Delivery from her Uncle JB

Here we are - another year older with such big smiles! 

And an honorable mention to Mama Sara Ho for getting this picture of the two of us and this sweet collage below. Everyone made our birthdays perfect!

~H

5.15.15

Hoping all who celebrate had a great Mother's Day. Almost in an act of defiance, I took not one photo that day. So unlike me! I did take this the day before, however. I think it makes up for all that I may have missed.

Mother's Day morning, I had coffee served to me in bed, breakfast awaiting me in the kitchen, fresh flowers, handmade cards and Eskimo nose rubs from my girl during Ahmen.

My other child, Roz, sent me a perfect card...

 ...and Ella's teacher outdid herself this year. She compiled a book "All About my Mom" (wherein Ella listed my age as 80) and a cookbook. The recipes were completely from the students' perspectives. Ella's is hysterical - "12 minutes on hot - that's 7 degrees". I am super proud that she remembered to include instructions about washing hands before eating.

One of the best things every happened last week, too! Roz and her family have landed in their new home. Gone are the days of the 20 minute one-way trip to their house. We are now about 3 minutes away from each other and it is fantastic. Their home is fantastic! Everything is fantastic!

Ella was invited to celebrate Rufus's birthday where she was the only girl. You go, Ella. I get such a charge out of how well you hang with your male counterparts. 

Our neighbor is opening up her consign/design shop about two blocks away. We stopped in to check things out. I think you can tell by Ella's smile how proud we are of our friend. In fact, tonight I am going there with Katie and Sara to get creative while Patrick 'gets bossed' by Roz and Ella.

Happy Friday, Ella-Land!! ~H

Do you see what I see?

(Looking through her big blue marble) "It has magical powers. When the night rises, the dark powers move and they close the gateway." ~Ella April 28, 2015

Kid, you slay us. We are 21 days away from the last day of school. You have grown leaps and bounds in your sense of self since that first day of school. And we may not always see what you see but we love learning about your take on life.

You still switch hands when writing or coloring. It seems as though when one hand gets tired it is just as easy for you to trade and keep on moving.

We could not keep you off your bike if we tried. And although those training wheels are still helping you along, I bet that will change before the summer is over. There was a free bike clinic at school on Friday. A shiny new bike helmet and a tune up with your sweet friends made for big giggles. You are not a fan of the helmet basically because you can't stand much on your head as a rule.

But you look super cute in it!

These two...

You not only picked me a fantastic bouquet of violets, you arranged it in this vase because 'they all need to drink water, mom.'

 Saturday morning breakfast with Daddy-o and the band, and some of our favorite peeps from our neighborhood.

And more fun on Sunday in the 'hood.

 Ella, you would have a slumber party every day of your life if you could. You would slip your little self snugly in between your Daddy and me. We know it won't last but watching your sheer joy in being that close to us makes us fools.

We've got a big day coming up, almost 6 year old. Wiggly teeth, more angst and growing even taller are in our future. In the meantime, we are going to soak up as much of your five-year-old self as we can in the next 14 days. ~H