When Daddy's Away, The Girls Will Play!

Jordan was out of town from Wednesday until Sunday, so us girls had a LOT of together time.  On Thursday, Hannah slept at Softa's and had one last dinner in the sukkah.  Friday, we had a busy day starting at swimming (Ella) with Grandma Joanie and Softa, school for Hannah, and Benihana for dinner (Hannah's pick for being a great girl for mom).  Saturday was another packed day with swimming (Hannah), the Zoo with Sam and Melting Pot with Mina for dinner (again, Hannah's pick for being a good girl).  We stayed busy on Sunday too with the Roeper All School Picnic and a birthday dinner for Sam's grandma Roseanne.  We had a wonderful girls weekend, but are so excited to have daddy home.  Thanks to all of the ladies that helped us out!

Suckers from Sam

Wearing Glasses with Mina

 Blurry, but Loving the Melting Pot Chocolate!

Cookie Decorating at the Roeper All School Picnic

And of course bouncing...

And the train ride...

And some tattoos - all of the same things she did at last year's picnic!

Finally reunited with Daddy just in time for bedtime books.  They read a new book that we got at the picnic book sale - we buy a big bag full every year.

Heidelberg Project Field Trip

Hannah's class decided to visit the Heidelberg Project downtown since they are currently studying famous artists.  Here are some pictures from the field trip, and of course Hannah is with her best buddy Sophia and her mom in every picture!  I am so glad that Hannah has found such a close friend.  Hannah is already trying to negotiate a sleepover at Sophia's.  Sophia's dad seemed open, but I told him that from experience it's a BAD idea!  Maybe next year when the girls are older.

To build off their field trip, Hannah's teachers asked that we bring in some old shoes for a special project.  I can't wait to see what they create!

Birthday at School

Ella's teacher just gave me these great photos of Ella's birthday celebration at school.  She brought in ice cream sandwiches for all of her buddies.  And apparently she kept her dino hat on all day!

Happy 1st, Luke!

Eating the M&M centerpieces.

Sliding with Addy

Sliding sisters

 

 The birthday boy!

 Frosting styling gel

 Ella giving Luke the stink eye - is she scared he's going to touch her, or jealous of all of his cakes?

 

 Playing party games

Busy Days at School

Hannah's class continues to be so busy!  It has been a great start to the year.

This week they had pirate day where Hannah and friends made swords, walked the plank and went on a treasure hunt around the campus.  She also had a conservation day where they learned about conservation and actually got to see butterflies emerge from their cocoons with two visiting conservationists.  And today was peace day where they had a guest teacher for morning Yoga, and then had a peace day all school assembly.

Peace Day Yoga and Assembly

Pirate Day!

 

Pirate Day Treasure Hunt

Conservation Day

First Head Injury

We had an eventful Friday morning when we went to drop Hannah at school.  Ella threw herself backwards on the pavement, and blood was gushing out of the back of her head.  I immediately panicked, grabbed a mom that was walking in, asked her opinion - we both decided to call 911.  She took Hannah to her classroom and sent out the head of Hannah's school and some other teachers to help me, and we waited for the ambulance to arrive.  I applied pressure to Ella's head, and by the time the ambulance arrived it had stopped bleeding.  Ella was very calm and brave while they checked her, and they gave us the all clear to head to the doctor's office instead of Beaumont.  Thankfully, our neighbor Kelly (an ER pediatrician at Beaumont) was home and came to check her out.  I felt much better getting confirmation that she thought she would be just fine.  My poor little girl is sleeping it off now.  She has a good size lump on her head, but was thrilled to get to take some Tylenol before nap.

The pictures are after most of the blood had been wiped away, but you get the picture...  It was not pretty.

Back to School Night

We had back to school night and got to check out some of Hannah's beautiful artwork in the classroom. She did a three tiered stick and string sculpture, a birthday balloon and some dot paintings for their dot unit.

The kids were asked what they wanted to be in the future, and Hannah said "Future Everything."  They also asked them what they want to get better at, and she said "Monkey Bars."

The parents were asked to write out some hopes and dreams for their kids, and a special note for them to read in the morning.

We got to hear about a typical day at school:

• Yoga and PE Wake Up
• Special Classes - French, Art, Science, Dance, Music, PE, Tinkering
• Group Meeting 
• Leader Presentations
• Word of the Day
• Math/English Concepts through Play
• Snack
• Outdoor Play
• Lunch
• Rest Time
• Snack
• Special Projects 

Slide at School

The kids aren't allowed to go on the play structure at school until they are two, so yesterday was a big day for Ella.  Aunt Sara got a video of Ella and Miss Linda at the slide - one of MANY times she went down it yesterday.

Two!

It is so hard to believe that our baby Ella is two years old today!  She is definitely entering the terrible twos, but the sweetest terrible two year old ever.  99% of the time she is so loving and very polite (please and thank you, sorry, etc.).  The other 1% we hear "NO" or "stop mommy," or just a flat out throw yourself to the ground old fashioned tantrum.  Even at her worst, she is a pretty easy girl.

Ella at 2 years old:

• Favorite Show: Dora (Obsessed), Bubble Guppies, Caillou and Chuggington
• Favorite Books: Brown Bear, Brown Bear (read by Hannah), Hop on Pop, Very Hungry Caterpillar
• Favorite Apparel: Jewels - this girl loves her jewels
• Favorite Songs: Itsy Bitsy Spider, Wheels on the Bus, Twinkle Twinkle, Old MacDonald
• Favorite Food: Danimals Strawberry yogurt drink, M&Ms and cheese tortellini
• Favorite Sayings: 
• I do it 
• I got it (miss independent)
• My ____ (insert anything here) - Hannah has taught her well
• Not Hannah's, Ella's! (again, applies to pretty much everything).
• Share Hannah! (noticing a theme?)
• I need coolie! (every minor injury)
• I need band aid (reserved for more serious injuries, but has to wear 2-3 and on her stomach regardless of the area injured)

Ella is a great climber, and can pretty much keep up with Hannah at anything gross motor.  She is also a puzzle whiz and can complete pretty complex puzzles.  Ella is a champion eater and eats almost anything we put in front of her.  She refuses to sit in a high chair or booster, and instead stands on her chair at the table.  Ella complains all clothes are too tight (learned from big sister Hannah) and hates having her hair done.  She is obsessed with band aids and wears them frequently.  Ella loves greeting people and saying goodbyes.  Each morning when I get her from her crib she says, "good morning mommy, morning Barney, morning Roxy, goodbye binky, goodbye Dora" (Dora nightlight) and as we pass my bedroom "hi daddy".  She is mostly sweet but will occasionally push or hit.  She then immediately pats you gently and says, "sorry mommy" with this really sweet concerned look.

We are having such a wonderful time watching our little girl grow up.  We can't wait to see what the next year brings with our sweet baby Ella!  Happy Birthday, E!!!

 The birthday girl on birthday morning

Big sister showing her hip hop dance moves (she started hip hop dance class today)

Dropping off her bag at school - check out her dino hat!

Morning welcome from Miss Peggy and Miss Shelly