Johnny Appleseed

Ellie did a really cool class project in honor of Johnny Appleseed's birthday yesterday. She made a tie-dye apple. Next time you talk to her ask her what house is red, with no windows or doors but has a star inside!

Thursday is the new Friday

Caramel Apples & Pink Toes

Ellie was treated to a pedicure yesterday in the big chair! She picked this lovely glow-in-the-dark pink that she assures me is a SUMMER color since she's headed toward the Caribbean!

Tonight we shared a couple caramel apples tonight - as a special treat for a great day at school .. and an excellent spelling test!

Soccer Girls

Olivia, Lily, Ellie and Nadia

Action Shot!

Posing for a 'shot'!

And so it goes ...

When someone you know dies, you are often confronted with a multitude of thoughts and feelings. This was certainly the case when I learned on Saturday that Al has passed away overnight. He had been sick, and knew the end was near - a matter of days, months. He was my stepfather for much of my life. That doesn't mean to say that is was a good relationship. Yet when someone dies, you hope the feelings that have held you back actually die with them.

I recall the many things he brought to my life, and many things I'll never forget.

He introduced me to baseball and taught me to keep score. To this day I feel incomplete without a scorebook in hand whenever I'm at a game.
He brought hockey into my life - and I learned to love that game too.
My love of lobster and Cape Cod began with him too.
We disagreed drastically on cultural issues, and probably politics too. After awhile I lost interest in the argument.

This is what I do know.

I was keeping score at a Babe Ruth Little League game for Wise Insurance at the East Side Rec field when I first saw Bill - 30 years ago. He played for the NYRA team at the next field over.

And when I was living alone in Saratoga and went to church on Mother's Day morning in 2001 Al was sitting next to Charlie Fricano in choir. After going over to Al to say good morning, Charlie insisted he introduce me to his son, 'who'd make a great husband!'

People come into our lives and if we allow them, they change us. Sometimes for the better and sometimes not so much.

I think for me, I'll keep with me what Al brought to my life ... and I hope to leave the rest behind .....

Soccer Saturday

Ellie at school

Mrs. Carlock has shared photos of the kids during their reading time. As you can see Ellie makes the most of "Book Nook" time with something to read and something to hold onto!

Safety Tips

Ellie had an assignment last week to come up with two safety tips. Hers were, "don't play with fire," and "always wear a seatbelt." You can see here that one of her tips made the board at school!

"What sides do you want with that?"

Ellie loves her Chipotle .. we all know that. And now she has a new favorite! Smashburger.

Here she is enjoying a Daddy and Ellie lunch date yesterday at Smashburger! And when she came home she recreated a combination of Chipotle and Smashburger made of Play-doh. She asked Bill and I what we wanted on our burgers ... lettuce, tomato, avocado ... and what sides did we want with that ... you'll see black beans in one bowl and fries with ketchup in the other.

She did an awesome job!

Ellie stories

After picking Ellie up from after school care one day this week I asked her, "Ellie how was your day?"

"Good"

"Are you meeting new friends?"

"Yes"

"El, tell me about these new friends."

"Well Mommy, I like a few boys."

"Which boys, Ellie"

"Well I like Cole. He's in my class."

So then I started ... "Ellie, why do you like him? Is he nice to you? I don't want to hear you like him because he's cute!"

"No Mommy, he's nice to me on the playground."

"Oh good. That's important that you are nice to each other."

"Well..... he's cute too Mommy! Oh, and Mommy I like a kindergartener too."

"That's okay. Daddy is a year younger than Mommy."

"Mommy .... and I like 2 fifth graders. But I know you won't let me date them.."

"WHAT???"