Kindergarten- Week 1

Ella survived her first week of kindergarten. There have been a few bumps in the road this week, but overall I would say she has done pretty good.  
I didn't expect it to be an easy transition for Ella. She has been home with me since birth. Other than preschool and Sunday school she hasn't been with strangers. The beginning of the week went really good. Ella looked a little lost when we dropped her off, but she didn't cry. As the week went on (and she became more exhausted) she started to say she didn't want to go. We unfortunately had to leave her crying with her teachers the past couple of days. Adam has went with me, and that has made it much easier. It's so nice living close to the church, because we can both go. 
Ella's teacher has been kind enough to email us late morning to let us know Ella is doing just fine. It's so nice receiving emails like the one below after having such a rough morning.

I am so pleased with her teachers and the staff at her school. They have been nothing but nice to us and reassured us that Ella will adjust.  

It's definitely going to take some time getting acclimated with this new schedule. I am used to having so much time with Ella, and now I feel like I hardly have any. Once she gets home the nights just fly by. I will definitely be taking full advantage of weekends with her. 

It's been a LONG week, but I am glad to have the first one under our belts. I'm just hoping and praying Ella has a great first year of school! 

First day of Kindergarten

Today is Ella's first day of kindergarten. She was so excited, and I hope the enthusiasm lasts all year long. I don't think she realizes yet that kindergarten is all day, five days a week. I know she will do great! 

Adam and I both went with her, but Adam walked her in. She was happy and even took a picture with her teacher.  I think Mrs. McClure is going to be a great fit for Ella. Ella told my mom, "She is old like you are." 

It made it a little easier knowing that Ella already had a friend in her class. Julie and Ella got to know each other over the summer, and it was seriously a blessing! Julia's mom sent me this picture. They are both such sweet girls! 

This is a picture we were emailed this afternoon. It's so nice that they email us pictures. She looks pretty happy to me!

I hope Ella has a great year. I can't imagine how much she will learn and how much she will change. I'm not sure where the past five years have gone, but I am so thankful we were able to spend them together. 

Summer catch up

We have been staying busy, trying to make the most of what's left of summer break. Ella starts kindergarten one week from today so this is our last week together. As much as I will miss her, I think (I hope) she is ready. She talks about it often, and even told me tonight what I could pack in her lunch box. We still have one last week to make the most of  before we get into our new routine. 
We have done a lot of fun things the past couple of weeks. 
Ella discovered a new love of miniature golf. She needs to work on her swing, but I think she did pretty good for her first time. 

Isabelle Anne Ice was born! She is so precious, and we are so happy for Aaron and Sarah! Isabelle has no idea what fun she is in for when the Bertram's and Ice's get together. Sarah is doing so well and already running again. I knew it wouldn't take her long. :) 

Ella received a new do for school. It was a good little reminder that I need to get her hair cut more than once a year. She looks so cute, especially when I curl it. 

Adam and I celebrated 11 years of dating/marriage. How can that be!? I was 21 and he was 23 when we met. Now we are just old! We went to Zuki for some sushi. Adam's love of sushi is slowly rubbing off on me. 

The fam sweated to death at the fair while the girls had a blast. The things we do for these two. 

This was the first time they both went down the slide by themselves. My mom couldn't watch. 

We went to Holiday World for one last trip before school starts. 

 Ella and I have enjoyed MANY Holiday World trips the last three years. 

My mom is a trooper. I don't see how she keeps up with these two. She does though and does it well! I hope I have as much energy as she does at 62.

If that wasn't enough fun, we just got back from Gatlinburg. More on that to come!