First Day of Kindergarten!

First day of Kinder today for Ella!  She got her same teacher from last year, who she absolutely adores (and a lot of her friends in her class), so she was super excited...but that didn't stop some tears and clinging when it was time to go in.  But after school, she said she had a great day!

Everett's First Movie!

On July 18, 2015, we took Everett to see his first movie...Minions!  Or "migmins" if you ask Everett. :)

Everett's First Angel Game

Everett went to his first Angel game on June 27th with his girlfriend Syndey!

They even got to go on the field and watch a movie!

Ella and I had girls night, and she got to choose dinner...this is what she chose...barf...

First Mani/Pedi!

Ella got her first mani/pedi for grandma's birthday!  She was SO excited!

First Lost Tooth!

Ella finally lost her first tooth today!  She is SO excited...so if you run into us this weekend, be prepared for a big smile from Ella...she wants to make sure EVERYONE sees it. :)

It has been loose forever, and Gary has been trying to pull it out, but she wouldn't let him.  Which is hilarious because the only reason it came out today is that one of her friend's dad's pulled it out in front of her classroom at school!!!  All the kids ask him to pull their teeth out!

He pulled another one of Ella's friend's teeth out today too (her second)!

BIG Day!

It was a big day on Saturday! 

First, we went to the aquarium...which doesn't seem like anything "big" since we're members.  However, we recently booked a trip to Hawaii, and they kids have never flown so we're a little worried about their ability to carry things through the airports, not ride in a stroller withough complaining, etc.  I admit, we're pretty bad about carrying everything for them and letting them ride in the stroller a lot.

Sooooo, we made them carry their own backpacks (the ones we just bought for our trip) with all their own snacks, waters and changes of clothes.  AND...we did not bring a stroller.  First time ever.

It was a huge success!  Even after making them walk all along the path and through Shoreline Village.  Ella did not complain once, and Everett only asked once to have us pick him up (until it was way past naptime, but I don't count that!) and carry his backpack, and when we said no, there was no tantrum!!  It was HEAVEN for me not having to carry all their stuff too.  Baby steps...

This guy was the star of the aquarium...

 We had lunch on the water...

And walked through Shoreline Village...

They were apparently having some kind of Native American festival so the kids got to watch an awesome Native American dance involving hoops (they loved it), and Ella, my timid little girl, went up to this guy all by herself and asked if he would take a picture with her!

She's afraid of Goofy at Disneyland but is willing to hang out with THIS guy?!

BIG NEWS NUMBER TWO: Ella can now ride a bike without training wheels!!!!!!!!!!  We are so proud of her!  I didn't get a good video because she got so much better after this one, but here it is!  Oh, and when you see Everett in a fireman's jacket and spiked helmet...don't ask.

First Day of Transitional Kindergarten

Ella had her first day of elementary school today!

I was so beyond worried about her first day.  She is very clingy when it comes to school (or anything new), and she still cried at preschool drop-off, despite having gone to the school since she was 18 months old!!

We have been talking up going to "real" school for quite a while, and she was super excited.  Still, I knew she would be the one kid who held onto my leg and cried...she's done it before.  Except, she didn't!  She was AWESOME.  She took a picture in front of her classroom door...

And lined right up with all her new friends...

Not a hint of a tear and absolutely no clinging.  Then her new teacher took them into the classroom (parents were allowed too) and asked that everyone take a seat on the rug, and she called one child up at a time to get a name sticker.  She asked that when she said, "good morning", the child respond, "good morning Mrs. S".  None of the kids did it...until Ella!!!  I was SO proud of her!!!  She walked right up to her teacher, and in a nice loud voice said, "Good Morning Mrs. S!"  Yay Ella!

Now, I've heard that a lot of times the kids are all great for the first week, and then it hits them, and they cry or cling to you the second week, but all I wanted was to make it through the first day!!

Ella's spot at the table...

Although we don't know her well yet, so far, we love her teacher- she seems so perfect for a kinder teacher, and I think Ella is going to adore her.  So happy about today!!!!!!!

Ella's First Dance Recital!

Pure cuteness (Ella is 2nd from the right)...

I was so proud of her!  She did such an amazing job- it was actually the best she ever did her routine!  You go girl!

The final bow...

Ella and Aviela before the show in the dressing room...

Ella and her teacher, Miss Alyssa...

After the show...

My Boo Boo Can Walk!

He's been taking steps since Christmas, but Everett is FINALLY walking!  He's been doing it for about the past 3 days...now we just need to get over the hump of the half crawling/ half walking stage, and my life will be SO much easier!  I LOVE when they can walk.

Ella's First Day of SOCCER!

Ella had her first day of soccer today with two of her besties, Owen and Aviela!  Like her fancy shin guards? ;)

Line up!

Time to stretch...

Time for some action...with a cheering section!

One...

Two...

THREE!