Yup, she lost another tooth!

And that makes 6.  Four across the bottom and two front teeth up top.  She was happy to lose it and said she heard that if you're scared for it to come out you might get a $25 bill.  I assured her that was a rumor since there was no such thing as a $25 bill.  "Well, it could be a $20 then."

Such a negotiator!

Another day at the pool

After a very busy week for Ellie with starting school, Bill busy in Dallas for work and me being a solo parent with lots of evening activities for us while he was away ... we decided today was a pool day!

We enjoyed the pool for several hours today, and it was just gorgeous!  Back  home in time to clean up and watch the 114th running of the Travers in Saratoga.  Made us miss home.

Here's the young lady taking time away from the pool in the beach house enjoying some lunch!

Brown, little berry - she is!

First Day of Second Grade

Today was a wonderfully successful day.  I was able to bring Ellie to school for her 8:45am start and pick her up at 3:30pm when her first day was done.  What a joy!

So much excitement going into school for the day to get started, and so much to tell when the day was done.  She likes Mrs. Kimmel a lot.  They have Phys Ed. every day.  They have recess before lunch.  The line to buy milk at lunch was so long she didn't have time to eat her lunch!  And on and on.

The stories were wonderful.  And so are the expressions on her face in these pictures!

Official first day of 2nd grade photo at home

At the Grove School sign - another tradition for many students

Going into the school as the doors are opening!

They assemble in line with their class awaiting their teacher to being them to the classroom.
Her friend, Reese, is at the back of the line ... used to know in NY when they were 3!!

Ended the day with dinner out with Mommy's friend Iris and this mini Root Beer Float!

Open House at School

Ellie & I went to school tonight to meet her teacher and bring all her supplies to her desk.  We met Mrs. Kimmel, her new 2nd Grade teacher.  It was SO exciting!  Lots of kids she recognized were there too.

She couldn't wait to go to bed tonight so it would be morning quicker .. so she could go to school!

Ellie with her 2nd Grade Teacher, Mrs. Kimmel

Ready at her desk to start 2nd grade - tomorrow!

It all began 12 years ago today

August 17, 2013 - 12 years after the first date
Baxter's Restaurant - Bloomington, IL

August 18, 2001 was our official first date.  Yes, we'd known each other for many years before that.  There was St. Patrick's Day in 2000 that Bill, Craig and TK were at the Parting Glass in the same area that Trina, Christine, Erin and I were standing.  Craig so profoundly said, "you should be going out with my friend, Bill!"  I gracefully declined, not seeing any interest from Bill.

Of course we go even further back to East Side Rec and Babe Ruth baseball games where as a teenager I'd follow him to the concession stand just to stand behind him ... and years before that when his family would come into the bakery and I was the little girl behind the counter bagging his family's order.

That seems like yesterday, and yet so long ago.  And so much has changed.

Jen Sarver was the one who put the idea in both our heads that we should meet to go out.  She'd arranged for us to meet at the track on Saturday, August 18, 2001 for a casual get-together.  Little did I know that when I arrived in the picnic area, Bill would be surrounded by most of his friends and family.  No pressure, really!

It was casual.  No intense talking or deep conversation to get to know one another.  We snacked on picnic food and I remember drinking a bottle of water.  And then Bill got up and began to pack things to leave.  His parents were also packing their things.  And I thought, 'hmm, I guess he didn't like me, he's leaving."

And after he got them all packed up he came over to me and said, "I have to get my parents home, but I'd like to take you to dinner tonight.  Can I get your number and I'll come pick you up?  Does 7pm work?"

And he did.  He picked me up and we went downtown.  We went to Graham's Restaurant on Putnam, which has since been 5 other restaurants most notably Doc's Steakhouse, but I digress.  We walk in the front door and the place is jammed.  Pat Graham, the owner, is standing near the hostess station.  He and Bill went to high school together so he takes good care of Bill and we're seated immediately.  "Wow, this guy is really important," I thought!

It was a good first date.  I don't remember what I ate, except I remember eating dessert. Bill ordered creme brulee.  I must have had something chocolate.  It was memorable to me because I remember being comfortable enough with him on a first day to order dessert and enjoy it.

So let's just say that not every day since has not been about dessert, but we have had our sweet moments!  And I'm so glad that 8/18/01 happened ... and the rest is history!

August something 2001 - picnic right around the time of our first date

Beginning of a big week .. on a Friday?

Today was the day that the Unit 5 schools post their class lists for the kids to find out teachers and classmates.  It's bedlam in front of the school at 4p as kids and parents storm the front windows.

Each class list is posted and parents snap photos, I even saw a woman using a telephoto lens from far away since the lines were so long to wait to get to the window!

You'll see that Ellie has Mrs. Kimmel. Although she doesn't really know her, she said she's very happy.  That makes me  happy.  No judgment.  And of all the kids in her class she knows only a few.  We talked about the opportunity that has presented to meet so many new friends!

Reese Anderson that Ellie new back in NY at age 3 is in her class, and Juhi and Kema and Pritika.  A couple of boys too, but that didn't really interest her.  No Lindsay, No Julia, no Olivia but she'll see them nonetheless.

And what I was thrilled about was that she was happy!  Me too!

Back to school shopping

Today we found a new spot in Peoria .. like they need more shopping!  They have more shopping then Bloomington/Normal .. The Shops at Grand Prairie was home to lots of great places .. Old Navy, Eddie Bauer, Coldwater Creek and more.

It was a gorgeous day to get some returns done too!

While Bill was finishing up a return Ellie and I took to the center of the shops to find a play area with a full array of Caterpillar trucks!

She can't resist having her photo taken!

So much fun!

Happy to be at the pool!

She found an extra-large tomato!

Today we had some adventures, just as I anticipated.

First the Farmer's Market produce stand.  Love their tomatoes and sweet corn.  We grabbed a few peaches and plums too.  We've made fresh salsa to go with the steaks and corn on the cob for dinner.  It truly feels like summer with all the wonderful produce.

And then the three of us were off to the pool!  Our friend, Miss Robyn was there too.  She's a new State Farm employee after Clubhouse closed so we were happy to catch up with her!  None of Ellie's friends were there so she took advantage of Mommy being in the pool with her.

Back home to enjoy the back yard while grilling the steaks and sipping Sangria.  Oh, well, that wasn't what Ellie was doing ... but she was just as happy with her new straw cup with juice!

Ah, finally Friday!

It seems Ellie has been looking forward to the weekend as much as we have.  She's gearing up for her last week of summer vacation, and excited about going back to school.  We have lots of plans starting next Friday to count things down.

NEXT WEEK:
Friday - the teachers and class lists are posted.
Saturday - Miss Shannon is coming to babysit while Mommy and Daddy go out to dinner
Sunday - Daddy is flying to Dallas for a week!
Monday - Ellie and Mommy go to Open House at school to find the new class and drop off supplies.
Tuesday - FIRST DAY OF SECOND GRADE!
Wednesday - School and then Swim Lessons
Thursday - Soccer practice
Friday - Daddy comes back home

WHEW!  I'm exhausted just thinking about it.

In the meantime, Ellie surprised me by asked for her hair to be 'flat-ironed' this morning.  Of course, I didn't do it - but I offered to use the blow dyer after we sprayed it down to flatten it out.  She chose this wonderful headband - which didn't match her tie-dye whatsoever, but that's what being 7 allows you to do!

So perhaps this weekend we'll find more adventures as we anticipate all that happens next week!

Gratitude

Josh and Ellie - happy together!

Ellie and I had a long talk at bedtime tonight about family, religion, togetherness and gratitude.  I know, such a list of topics for one bedtime tuck-in.  It began with prayers and all that we're thankful for .. and she asked about making her First Communion and what that would mean, what she would wear, who would be there.  That led us down the road of family, togetherness and ultimately gratitude.

I believe gratitude is an important element to teach her.  It's demonstrated in the way we treat each other, how we talk to each other, but also in bringing opportunities to light for her in our every day life.

And we ended it by saying our prayers to remind us of all we're grateful.  In other words, we ended in gratitude.

Ellie's Independence

"Off to the Fair!"

Today is the day that she goes to the McLean County Fair with Olivia and her family!  She was up at the crack of dawn and wanted to know when they were picking her up.  She didn't fuss when it was time to get dressed or do her hair.  She really wanted to go!

She knows her name, address, phone number, parents names and who she is with ... but of course I still worry!  So I wrote all that out and put it on a piece of paper in her pocket.  She said, "I know Mommy, this is in case I get lost."  And I said, 'But you're not going to get lost!"

And off she went hand in hand with Olivia to climb into their SUV.  It's beautiful weather and the girls talked of corn dogs and carnival rides.  I know they will have a blast!

UPDATE:
Here's a shot from the fair ... of course we got a text with the picture that she/they were behaving well too!  I just hope she comes home with both flip-flops, because she insisted she didn't want to wear sneakers and socks!

Ellie on the outside (on her belly) and Olivia on the inside one.

They're still in one piece .. Ellie on the inside, Olivia on the outside of the Sno-Bobs ride!

The singing and dancing

There are, in life, very traditional times for signing and dancing.  Dances happen at weddings, at proms,  and sometimes with your little girl in the middle of the kitchen.  Music occurs much more frequently .. at least in our family.  Ellie and I sing to the radio, Bill and Ellie sing in the car, we love a concert, a random band playing outside at Gill St., and even singing a familiar hymn at church.

I believe we don't value the joy that singing and dancing bring to our lives.  They are celebrations.  Yes, even the singing in the car and the dancing in the kitchen.  So for that reason I'm making sure that we sing and dance more often - every day if possible.  

Singing and dancing need to be more widely accepted in public .. there should be national opportunities to celebrate all that is good, at that very moment.

So here's to singing and dancing ... and to all that is good .. right this very moment!

St. Bona alum, Chris singing with the band a song he dedicated to Bill at Gaffney's!

Big Fez and the Surfamatics playing at the track

Adorable little girl enjoying her dance to the band!  We enjoyed it too!

Uncle John at the drums - with the band!

Benefit of a good haircut!

One of the things Ellie and I most look forward to about returning to Saratoga is being able to be a guest at Mimi's Hair Studio.  No one cuts our hair the way she does ... and we're so fortunate to be part of her family!  As you can see in these before and after photos ... it really makes a difference!

Friday - (before haircut) - hanging out at the track!

Saturday - ready for adventure at Grammy's house!