Grandma goes back to High School

In all the craziness of the party and making sure to post those pictures...I forgot to post some others.

Grandma (Bisa) went back to High School during her visit with us...my High School to be exact. She spoke to my Spanish students about her experiences in Cuba. She also visited last year and the kids love her and were glad she returned. She didn't get pics will all of the classes but here are a few.

Our Trip to the Zoo with Bisa & Biso

Even with all of the craziness of the birthday party coming, we wanted to do something fun while Bisa & Biso were visiting. We decided to use our awesome Christmas present (becoming Zoo Friends) and use some of those benefits. We had a nice afternoon at the Zoo. We love the Zoo and take every opportunity to go and to share it with everyone!! Visit soon and maybe we'll take you to the Zoo too!! :)

Ella's Birthday party!!

The day has come!! Ella's 4th Birthday! We were lucky enough to have a beautiful day..pretty windy..but beautiful. This was a concern because we took the gamble and had her party at her favorite play park...an outside party in March!!! We won the bet and it was a beautiful day!
Ella had a Giselle cake and the girls wore princess crowns and the boy wore a sherrif's badge. All the kids played lots, enjoyed cake and then on to the mountain of presents. Thank you to everyone who brought/sent a gift. That was VERY thoughtful and appreciated. We have already made thank you cards and they will be mailed soon.
A BIG thank you to Mike & Marsha who were the show stoppers in the present department. They sent her the Giselle barbie she wanted so badly! She adores it!!
Sunday was an interesting day to observe as she managed to play with just about everything...lots of time playing with her new princess & High School Musical barbies, then some time with her little princesses w/rubber dresses, reading new books, then on to bath time and her new Cinderella bath doll and Mermaid bath set, watched HSMusical 3, tried on clothes and packed her new ballet bag with her new ballerina gear and put her $ for dance lessons and her costume in ready for class. A little spoiled...well...we like to call it loved!! haha!
Time is flying by too quickly for Mommy & Daddy!! Did I mention that Daddy took her to get her ears pierced during his visit??? So grown up!! Enjoy the pics and video...again sorry about sound...bear with me!!

Ella's Birthday!

Due to the snow days, I had to work Monday and Tuesday of our Spring Break week which unfortunately fell during Ella's Birthday. Bisa & Biso came up for the week so we went out to dinner at Applebees after dance class. It was great because they made a BIG deal about it and she thought it was amazing!! Here is the video. I'm still working on the sound..bear with me...but imagine that they are yelling that it is Ella's birthday, sing their bday song and then Ella asks me (the camera) "Why are they clapping and yelling for?" - as only that adorable child can!!! :) Enjoy!

Ella's Trip to the Zoo with Daddy!

Ella & Daddy took a quick trip to the Zoo one afternoon while he was here. They had a great time! They got to break in the Zoo Friends card with a trip on the train and a visit to the Children's Zoo. They had a fun time! Just wish he could've come home under better circumstances!! I think his trip made my job a little harder than before...she misses him even more now! Secret...so do I! ;)

Sad Times for us

We got some sad news last week. Pee-Paw passed away. It was very unexpected. His heart gave out. We miss him very much. This was Ella's 1st experience with death. She handled it pretty well considering. She was very upset and went through all of her things to find the locket he gave her a few years ago. She found it and wore it everyday following his death. We are going to size down a picture of him to put in the locket. She felt much better when she realized that he is in good company up there with God and Jesus along with Grandma Lucy and Mack. She said that "Gma Lucy can give him a big hug and Pee-Paw can tell her all about me." May he rest in peace. He will be missed.

The only good thing that came about was getting to see the family and meet lots of other friends and family. Ella had a great time with Greyson. It has been awhile since we have gotten to spend time with them so it was nice. Ella would follow him around and he was a good sport about it all. :) Also, Daddy came home for the week so that was nice. Ella spent lots of time with him even a trip to the Zoo...that is the next post....