Ellie stories

I really like to get to the end of the week, and Ellie has had a good week.  And by this I don't just mean behavior that's approved by grown-ups.  What I truly appreciate is that she's growing and learning before our eyes.  At seven years old she knows who she is, understands the challenges and continue to make strides in learning and evolving.

She's funny, smart, curious, witty, inquisitive, kind, helpful and pretty amazing!

Wednesday in her school (and many in her district) they had a Code Red Drill.  They've explained that to the kids to mean:  a time when we have a gas leak or an intruder in the building.  They have a plan, they execute on their plan and the kids listen and follow instructions.  In this instance they take them to a nearby church.

Things have certainly come a long way from my time as an elementary student.  We had the ordinary fire drills and then the drills where we'd go to the cafeteria at St. Peter's Elementary school and sit under the lunch tables with our hands on our heads.  But we never talked about, or even thought about an intruder that might enter the school.

Things have changed.

I talked to Ellie on Wednesday morning to remind her that the Code Red drill was that morning.  I reminded her the importance of listening.  It was a good time to talk about 'look for the helpers'.  I told her there would be plenty of helpers since this was a drill - and again the importance of listening.

This was her response.  Verbatim.  "Mommy that's going to be a stretch for me.  I'm a talkative girl!"

Oh, the beauty of self-awareness!  Yes, you are my dear - and you also have to be a listening girl!

On Thursday when I picked her up I had mint M&Ms for her.  She was thrilled and ate them on the way home.  I needed to stop for a prescription and when we got out she said, "Mommy if I give you two M&Ms would you give me two hugs and kisses?"

"Ellie I will give you hugs and kisses whenever you want, and whenever I can sneak them in!  In fact, why don't I have one candy and you have the other.  Is that a deal?"

"No Mommy, I made the deal and you can have the candy!"

Lots of conversation and hugs and kisses in the CVS parking lot were part of my best parts of the day.

Friday was first trimester progress report time!  Parent/Teacher conferences are coming up in October so this was a great time to share some progress.  She's been in school over a month ...

Her reading level and her 'learner characteristics' were shared.  From following directions to actively participating in class to demonstrates self-control in words and actions - she is 'consistently observed' as demonstrating those characteristics.  In other words we didn't see an area to work on behavior-wise.  She's also progressed already in her reading level ... so, so proud of this amazing young lady!

Family shots from the Orchard

September 2013 - Family photo

Hmmm, two peas in a pod? No, two nuts!

She loves these cut-off head things to stand behind and have her picture taken!!

Me and my girl!

Daddy and his little princess

Half Birthday Adventure

Ellie is 7 1/2 today.  I know, how can that be already?  But I assure you, it is!  Halfway to 8 years old ... So off we went first thing this morning to Speer, IL (about 1 hour and 20 minutes North West of here) to Tanner's Orchard.  Lots of pumpkins, apples, donuts, cider and much more!

Ellie wanted to go through the Corn Maze and visit the animals first.  Although we convinced her that at our 9:30 arrival time - it seemed perfect for an apple cider donut and another cup of coffee.  Since donuts were involved she was easily convinced!

We trekked through the orchards, the corn maze, the animals and the pumpkins.  We had a full day in our 2 1/2 hours there.  And we left with lots of treats too!  Including tonight's dessert - caramel apples!

What a terrific, sunny weekend we had .. and for the first day of Fall we took full advantage of our gorgeous fall weather!

Sitting on a big pumpkin!

Surrounded by pumpkins!

Ellie's friend, Billy the goat!

Entering the Corn Maze

Another pumpkin!

Panning for gemstones - she loved this part!

Special Treat!

After game de-brief with Coach Frank - Ellie says, "He's like family!"

After game treat for a great game - and goal scored!

Ellie had a terrific game today - she played a strong defensive game and scored a goal as well.  She is getting more and more skilled with her ball control and dribbling each game.  Her team outmatched the other team today and they were terrific sports about it.

We celebrated with a special treat at a self-serve frozen yogurt place called Cocomero.  You put your own yogurt from the machine in the cup and then choose all your own toppings from fresh fruit, candies, nuts and even Fruity Pebbles cereal.

The container is weighed at the end ... and that was a fortune for the 3 of us!  It was truly a special treat!  And well deserved by our special girl!

Happy Birthday Papa!

Today is Papa's birthday and we'll celebrate his day from afar ... knowing that he's enjoying his day is what counts!  We know he's one to celebrate even when it's not a birthday, makes it even more special to remember him on his special day!

Papa and Ellie - Thanksgiving 2012

Swim Accomplishment!

This was a rare night where both Bill and I were there for Ellie's Wednesday night swim lesson.  For the most part Bill takes her to swim.  Tonight I left work on time and managed to meet up with them as she was leaving after school care ... and went to swim with them!

She did awesome!  And not just because she's my kid!  She was swimming so well and for so long.  The instructor worked them hard... up and down the lane time after time.  Freestyle, backstroke, side kick, one after another.  

And with a red, proud face at the end of the night she received her next sticker from Miss Heather!  She gets to ring the bell and everyone at the pool claps to acknowledge her accomplishment.  She did awesome!

Sitting on the side of the pool waiting to jump in!

So happy to have accomplished another swim skill!

Sunday supper

Today's weather from yesterday's sunshine and cool breeze.  We awoke to clouds, knowing the rain wasn't too far away.  To me, the cooler weather and even rain are an invitation to make a pot of soup and sauce with meatballs.  It makes this week's meals so much easier to have pots in the fridge ready to heat.

And Ellie was ready to jump in and help.  You'll see from the photos she took an active roll in the meatballs and the pasta making.  And for the soup she was my chopped veggie collector .. as she scooped them up and added them to the pot - baked potato soup!

When 3pm rolled around we were all ready for Sunday supper of fresh pasta and meatballs.  And then they crew was off to play a few games of Wii baseball.

Her debut (so she tells me) at mixing the meatball meat!

Kneading the pasta dough ... of course involved a spelling lesson in the difference between 'needing' and 'kneading'

Solo kneading of the dough - she's happy to have her hands in it

Finished product - fresh pasta with meatballs!

Two helpings later - she's still doing her best!

First Soccer Saturday

Today was Ellie's first soccer game of the Fall season.  And what a difference a few practices make.  She's dribbling better and now playing forward instead of defense all the time.  She hustled the entire game - 4 quarters!  So proud of her effort and sportsmanship!

Pre-game photo op

Warming up with ball control practice

Helping get all the soccer balls out of the goal 

Action shot - she's got her  hands in the air ready to kick

Whew!  Good game - but exhausting!

She's sticks close to Coach Frank who always has an encouraging word for her hard work!

A prayer

Last night was Ellie's first night of second grade religious education.  This is a big year for this second grader as she prepares for First Reconciliation and First Communion!  She got this wonderful prayer to practice.  We filmed her saying it this morning as she practiced.

When she went to school she learned about what 9/11 means and what it means to remember on this day.  She told me stories of what she learned.  She knew more than I expected about planes, people dying and buildings crumbling.

I thought it was a good time to tell her the story of her father, and the kind of man he is.  I told her on the morning of 9/11 I was on a plane from Albany to Atlanta.  And when I landed all the planes were grounded.  People were confused and sad.  I told her although Daddy and I weren't married, he got in a car and drove the 14 hours from Albany to Atlanta to make sure I was safe, and drive me home.

She cried.

She hugged me and ran to her Daddy and hugged him.  She said she was so happy he saved me.

We talked about how we remember today, and how we take care of each other. Always.

Here's Ellie saying her prayer.  She asked if I would post it today, for September 11th so it could be a prayer for all the people that died.  And for the people still here who loved them.

I thought that was a wonderful idea.

Pasta!

Today we decided would be a good day to make fresh pasta.  You know the kind with semolina flour and the pasta machine?  We have the Kitchenaid attachment that attaches to my mixer. It rolls the dough into strips and then we made the dough strips into linguine.

It was wonderful!

It was a family project - and then it was dinner.  We ate it with shrimp, lemon and garlic.  What a great dinner to end a great weekend!

Short week!

The return to work and school after a holiday weekend brings it's benefits and challenges.  Yes, it was wonderful to have a 3-day weekend ... and then the next 4 days seem to get all residual of what didn't happen on the day off!

Whew!

Ellie resumed normal activities - school, soccer, library, swim.

Her soccer practice is always fun to watch.  She's a good listener to Coach Frank, and is becoming quite a good dribbler and passer.

Here's a memorable shot from practice this week!

New friends!

Hannah and Ellie - awaiting dessert!

That's one of the wonderful things about Ellie, she is so open to new friends and new experiences.  She has made a new friend in Hannah - and they sure did have fun.

One of Bill's co-workers, Laura invited us over for a BBQ on Sunday afternoon.  Bill traveled to Dallas with her two weeks ago, and they realized we all live in the same neighborhood and kids go to the same elementary school.  This made for a good opportunity to get the families together over the long holiday weekend.

Laura and her husband, Chris are from Pennsylvania - and we've learned that being from the East Coast  is a built in kinship of sorts.  They have a son, Ethan a 6th grader and Hannah a 4th grader at Grove.  She and Ellie became fast friends!  Ellie came prepared with woven bracelets she made for Hannah and Miss Laura.  After introductions, the girls were off to explore Hannah's things!

Laura and Chris also invited another couple, new to Bloomington and from the East Coast.  Bill and Kristin arrived from Pennsylvania about 4 months ago - he's from NYC and she's from NJ originally.  So we were all at home with other NY Yankee fans - others to commiserate after yesterday's tough loss!

The kids had fun, and the adults shared stories and Bloomington advice.  It truly was a good time had by all!

Labor Day Weekend

Ellie enjoying her root beer float after the morning at the pool

Ellie's collection of baseball cards - Jeter right on top!

How can it possibly be Labor Day weekend already?

Well, Ellie's been back in school for two weeks already, and the calendar is telling us it's so ... September is here! The pool closes this weekend, even though the temperatures are still in the 90's.  I guess you have to draw the line somewhere, right?

So for one final time Ellie visited the pool yesterday with a special visit to Smashburger for lunch on the way home.  She enjoyed a root beer float, which is a holiday weekend treat.  And after a bit of a rest, she decided she would sort through all her baseball cards.

A friend of mine at work has two boys, Will (9) and James (5) who also collect baseball cards.  We've decided that they can swap doubles!  She made her plan yesterday was to sort by team and put the doubles aside.  We made two awesome piles for them.  I gotta say we stacked the decks though.  Since Will is a Cardinals fan, and James a Yankees fan we made sure those cards were put in the right piles!

Ellie cannot wait to keep getting cards.  She counted them and arrived at a total of over 100 even after the doubles were removed!  She asked if she could find a Babe Ruth card, and I explained why that would be nearly impossible.  And then she wanted to know 'how does someone get into the Hall of Fame anyway?"  So with that explanation we talked about Cooperstown and how we would take her there on one of the trips back home.  We might have to wait until Jeter goes in to really go to an induction, but we could take her to Cooperstown anytime we're back in NY.