Ellie's 6th Birthday Party

Last Saturday, February 21, 2015, we held Ellie's 6th birthday party. She invited six friends, three from preschool and three from her kindergarten class, to get manicures and pedicures at a local salon and then to play on a nearby playground and have some treats. She was really happy that all six of her friends were able to make it to her party.

The party started in the morning when everyone arrived and the nail salon. There was quite a bit of discussion, thought, and debate about what nail colors to get. Most girls ended up with pink, purple, or red or a combination of those colors for their fingernails and toes. But Ellie opted for a sparkly blue for her nails. It did bring out her eyes. Then each girl was set up in a comfy chair for some pampering.

The girls had some snacks (bagels with cream cheese and fruit) while they waited for their nails to dry. They also had some lemonade to drink. It was fun watching them interact and talk about school and friends and Frozen and siblings and their nails. Once everyone had dry nails they took a group picture...they were all so giggly and definitely full of energy.

Then we headed to a nearby playground that Ellie really likes because it has monkey bars, rings, and two bars that she can hang upside down on. And a merry-go-round type thingie. As soon as we got the playground they girls were off to expend some of their energy. Surprisingly, it seems like all of their nails survived without getting chipped.

And then it was time for cupcakes. All the girls gathered around and sang for Ellie. After she blew out her candle they all gobbled up their cupcakes. It was a great end to her birthday party and she was so happy. It really was exactly what she wanted with her best friends. She couldn't have been happier. She and all of her friends all appeared to have a great time.

Happy 6th Birthday Ellie!

Happy 6th Birthday Ellie

I cannot believe she is 6. I mean it really feels like only a year or two ago she was a baby. And now she's a kid. Not a baby girl nor a little kid. But she's a kid.

She doesn't need training wheels on her bike. She is reading and doing 1st grade level math. She's opinionated and witty; cracking jokes at her parents expense. She's responsible (send her with $10 to school and she comes back with change). She's the best big sister and really helps out with Calvin. She ties her own shoes. She has performed ballet choreography on a stage. She's starting to be a foodie (pan at chocolat or aged balsamic vinegar...yes please!). She's a social butterfly who needs her own space and quiet time. She's the queen bee. She isn't a morning person. She loves to draw.

She's 6!

I sent her to school with a platter of cookies (store bought per district regulations) and when I picked her up she had her friends singing Happy Birthday in chorus to her (apparently for the third time that afternoon!)




We went to her favorite restaurant (Domenicos) where she strayed from her usual favorite for a new favorite of fettuccine alfredo. Cousin Jimmy even joined us!

Then we came home (fortunately Cal had a 2.5 hr nap and was able to stay up past his normal bedtime for some family fun) for cake and presents.










She was super happy with all her presents, especially when she received the Playmobil hotel which she has been asking for, for a while for her birthday. She was a bit bummed that she didn't get to put it together tonight, but it's something to look forward to over the weekend.






















And of course we took some family photos.








Happy Birthday Ellen!!



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Happy Valentine's Day

This is the 15th Valentine's Day Nick and I have spent together, the first being back in Urbana in 2000. My how time flies!

I am also sharing a video that I think truly illustrates pure, unconditional love between my two kids. Calvin worships his sister and Ellie is totally enamored with her brother. The moments they play together when they think nobody else is around are truly special.

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11 months old!

I can't believe little Calvin is already 11 months old! Nor can I believe that he will be a year old in a month!!

He standing and walking while supported. He is close to actually walking, but we aren't encouraging it.













He is cuddly and a favorite of teachers at daycare. He won't sit still. He loves this little toy farm and the little animals we have more than his beloved stacking cups and balls. He's now napping once a day, but getting more daytime sleep than he was with two naps. He hates being alone but doesn't always want to interact with people (he will play by himself as long as you are in the room). He loves black beans and is a great eater. He is still nursing (here's to hoping we make a year!). He's hilarious and fun. He won't stop "talking" and sometimes sounds like he has actual words like ball or Ellie. He's a true joy!



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Outdoor Fun

It probably seems a bit insensitive to post this when Boston is bracing for yet another round of snow this year. We live in SoCal and it doesn't snow here. In fact, we rarely wear more than a thin sweater or sweatshirt in the mornings during the winter. So the fact that we have been spending more time outside lately isn't due to abnormal weather, but the fact that Ellie and Calvin have been enjoying more activities outside in our own yard.



Today we grilled out for lunch. Until it started to rain a little. But yeah, in February we ate lunch outside. Calvin stood up and creeped around the table while we ate trying to get our food. He's pretty sneaky.

Calvin received a swing from Santa. We put it up a couple weeks ago and he loves it. He could sit in that swing all day.

He likes any kinds of swing though really...

Ellie has been practicing her hula hoop quite a bit lately. Apparently a few weeks ago they had an assembly which was outside because it was a get active, its fun to play outside (not just video games) assembly and they taught the kids how to hula hoop. So Ellie has been practicing and actually getting pretty good.

Ellie also came home last week and declared that she didn't need her training wheels on her bike. Fortunately her father believed her and promptly took the training wheels off her bike. And she grabbed her helmet and started riding in circles in our backyard. Nick and I were both surprised. She hardly rides her bike at home. Except now, when she's not hula hooping, she is riding her bike. We need to find an area where she can go to long stretches of straight path (that's not up or down hills) so that she can practice more.

(as a side note, I'm pretty sure that 90% of the videos we have of Ellie, that she knew we were taking, end with "Can I see?")

Flashback :: Ellie's Dance Recital

Ellie has been taking ballet for a little over a year. We had one recital last year right before Calvin was born. That was a small recital in the studio where she had class. Perfect for her first recital.

This past December, she participated in her second ballet recital. This time, the recital was in an auditorium at Pasadena City College on a real stage (with wings and a backstage area). And the ballet school has grown so much in the past year that there were actually three different performances. The older kids (Ellie included) performed three times, while the younger kids groups each performed once.

The ballet, choreographed by her teacher, told the story of some pirates (Ellie's class) sailed into a storm and got shipwrecked on the magical Bird Island. They met some magical creatures (all performed by the younger kids) and some magical birds (the oldest kids) who were guarding a treasure (some more of the younger kids). But the birds handed over a magic feather and the pirates were able to get home. It was fun and all the kids did really well.

Ellie had a great time, spending the day with friends (her besties from preschool are in her ballet class), dancing her heart out, watching the older kids perform from backstage, getting to wear makeup (we actually bought her a lipstick just for the recital), seeing her grandparents (who came down from SB to see her perform in one show), wearing a fun pirate costume, and everything else that goes with an all-day ballet recital.

Ellie and all the rest of the kids all did so well. They were as well behaved between the shows as you could have asked 5 year olds to be. They danced so well. I was very impressed with the whole day, performance, choreography, and everything.

Ellie really enjoys ballet, and her teacher, and we are so excited to be back in ballet now after the holidays.