Sesame Street Live

Today we went to Sesame Street Live at River Park Center in Owensboro. We met Erin, Bree, and Mallory there. It was such a nice day for our little drive. The trees are beautiful right now. I didn't even hear a peep out of Ella on the way there. I think she enjoyed the drive too. 

We got there a little early to enjoy the play zone. 

The number of the day was "5". Ella's favorite number!

 After Sesame Street Live we went to lunch at Panera Bread. Today was our last trip as "just us girls." Erin will be having her third baby, a boy, in a few weeks. She is such a great mom, and if anyone can handle three kids I know she can. I can't wait to meet baby Blake. 

We had such a fun day, and Ella even fell asleep in the car on the way home. Next up, Halloween weekend with Leslie and Olivia at Holiday World on Sunday. Can't wait! 

First preschool field trip!

Yesterday was Ella's first field trip. My mom, Ella, and I met her class at Mayse Farm market for some fun fall activities. 

Ella was greeted by two of her little girlfriends with a hug. It was so cute to see this. I was worried with me there she might cling onto me and not play with the other kids. She was a little shy at first, but quickly loosened up!

We first went on a hayride to pick a pumpkin.

After pumpkin picking we headed back so the kids could have a snack and play.

Cute little friends!

 Going through the maze made out of straw. Ella decided to start climbing over to get to the middle. 

Up to no good;)

Ella and some of her friends running off some energy. It was so nice to see Ella joining right in with the other kids. A year ago she would have been sitting on the side lines watching. She is definitely coming out of her shell and opening up. You can see a definite change in her since she started preschool. 

Waiting patiently to go to the big slide....

Finally made it to the slide!

My big, almost four year old waiting in line for the slide. Doesn't she look so big!? I can't get over it. 

It was a great day at the pumpkin patch. I can't wait for another preschool activity!

Preschool update

Ella has already been in preschool over a month. I was worried that missing last week would make this week a little rough for her, but she did great. 

Mrs. B. told me that Ella is starting to actually talk to them now, and she looks forward to hearing her sweet voice.  That is huge for Ella. It takes her awhile to open up, but once she does, look out! 

Next week is her first field trip, and I am so excited. They are going to the pumpkin patch. I'm interested to see how she interacts with the kids in her class. I hope I can get a picture of her and her buddy Nick. I finally talked to his mom on Tuesday. She said Nick talks about Ella all the time too, and he really missed her last week. I should have known Ella's first friend at preschool would be a boy. He is very talkative so I think he is good for Ella since she is so quiet. 

I can see a big change in Ella since she has started school. I can't really explain it though. She seems a little more grown up. This past week was the first time she expressed her feelings to me. I had to get onto her, because she did not want to put her clothes on. She told me she was not happy, and that she was mad at me. It made me feel bad, but I'm sure this is not the last time she will be mad at me. 

Ella sings random songs all the time that she learns at preschool. I love to hear her sing. My favorites so far have been the peanut butter song and "we are the dinosaurs marching, marching." 

She goes to the bathroom completely on her own. That was one of my biggest worries for preschool, but it hasn't been a problem. 

Preschool has been such a great thing for Ella. It opened up a whole other world for her. I'm so proud of what a big girl she is becoming!

Vacation 2012

Last week we packed up and headed to Destin for a little fun in the sun. It was a great trip. We have had some trips with Ella in the past that were not the best, but I think this was the best vacation we have had with her thus far. She slept good and had a really good time. It was fun to see how excited she was when we got there. She wanted to head to the beach first thing so that's what we did! 

She has come a long way. Two years ago she wanted nothing to do with the sand or water. She still doesn't love the beach as much as I do, but she's getting there!

Sunday, Adam unfortunately had to work. I was really annoyed that he had to work on our first day of vacation, but it could not be helped. He ended up working 12 hours that day. Ella and I went to the pool with my mom and dad and played on the beach while Adam sat in his "hole" on his computer. These are the times when I am not thankful for the internet, laptops, and mobile phones. 

After 38 years of marriage my parents still hold hands. Sweet!

On Monday I was happy to hear Adam finished working and could actually start his vacation. He really wanted to rent a golf cart for the week. Last year we rented a scooter car for an hour, and it was so fun to ride in. We ended up getting a street legal golf cart that we could ride all around the island, except for the highway. It was a huge hit with Ella, because she didn't need her car seat. We ended up getting a lot of use out of it while we were there.  

Did I mention we took the boys with us? Sometimes I think we are a little nuts driving almost 11 hours with a three year old and two dogs, but we do it. This was their sixth trip to Florida. They are great little travelers. I wouldn't have it any other way. I love not having to worry about them while we are gone. They obviously enjoyed the trip:)

Monday afternoon Adam, Ella, and I went out to lunch and went to the aquarium. Ella loves dolphins so it's really fun for her to get to see them up close and personal. The dolphin show was her favorite thing. I started feeling pretty bad during the dolphin show. I think I had a sinus infection. I felt bad the week before we left, but I thought it would probably go away on it's own. It only got worse when we got to FL. Luckily, I was able to get a prescription called in, and I felt better within no time after taking the first dose. 

On Tuesday we hung out at the beach in the morning. This was the only day Ella was at the beach for an extended period of time. I think it's a little too hot for her taste. She is getting there though. I can't wait for the day she will want to stay at the beach all day with me. 

Tuesday night before we went to dinner I decided to try to get our Christmas card picture. It was a success! It's not easy to get a good picture with everyone looking (including the dogs), but we ended up getting one. Shew! 

My mom made this dress Ella has on. I really love the way it turned out. Adam's cousin, Erin, monogrammed it for me. I'm glad I know people who are good with sewing machines, because I am not. 

Wednesday I took Ella down to the beach by myself, but she was not happy about it. She wanted nothing to do with the sand or the water. That afternoon we decided to go to Baytowne Wharf to eat lunch and ride the carousel. Little did we know the carousel is only open on weekends. Bummer!

After a big lunch at Jim n' Nicks barbecue we decided to just grill out that night. It was really nice to just relax. 

I drove Ella around the parking lot. I didn't trust myself on the street with her by myself. I'm not the best driver;)

Adam took us for a night time drive after dinner. He looks thrilled, doesn't he?

Thursday morning my mom and I got to do a little shopping at the outlets while Adam and my dad entertained Ella. After we shopped we hit the pool for a bit until it was time to get ready for the dolphin cruise. 

 Ella was so excited to see dolphins!

They let the kids feed the birds. They were swarming the ship. 

It was really exciting to see dolphins in their natural habitat. I loved watching them. They got really close to the boat. It was fun until I started feeling a little sick. I went up top to sit down, but it didn't help. I ended up puking with about 45 minutes left in the trip. It was a horrible feeling knowing that I couldn't get off the boat. Needless to say, I will either be taking necessary precautions next time, or I will not be getting on a boat anytime soon. The dolphin cruise was a really great experience minus my illness! 

On our last day we took it easy. We made one last trip to the beach for a few pictures before heading to Baytowne Wharf so Ella could ride the carousel. 

Adam and I sat on the balcony that night after Ella went to bed, while my parents were inside watching TV. All the sudden we heard something fall and hit the floor. I looked in, and I could see my mom and dad talking about something. Come to find out, one of the shells my dad found "walked" off the counter. Thank goodness we didn't bring our little crabby friend home with us. He was returned to his rightful home that night. 

We had such a fun trip. I was sad to see it end, but it was great to get home. Every year vacation seems to get a little easier with Ella. We have come a long way since she was a baby, and we had to pack what seemed to be her entire room. I'm already looking forward to our next vacation, whenever and wherever that may be!