Ella being Ella - Which is a Fantastic Thing!

Ella is a very unique girl.  That can be said in a good or bad way.  This is a good way! She is such a sweet, thoughtful, smart and beautiful girl.  Did I mention that she is photogenic?  She loves to take pictures which is great because I love to take pictures! We make a great team!
One Spring day we decided to play outside and take some fun pictures.  Here is just a handful!  Enjoy!

Easter Time

Easter was the first holiday to come after the seperation/divorce news.  It didn't feel like a day to celebrate but we went through the motions for Ella and it was good to have family around.
Now that Ella is getting older, the Easter Bunny decided that she was ready to take on the tradition that he used to do with the Skillman kids years ago - she would have to find her basket using the clues he left her!  He left rhyming clues in different places in the house (b/c it was muddy and raining) and Ella happily followed them leading her to her basket "being COZY with RAPUNZEL" (meaning her Rapunzel blanket).  She was excited by the challenge and had fun.  She loved all of the prizes in her basket!
Then on to the Easter Egg hunt! Oh wait....it was pouring outside...so we did it inside having to be creative hiding eggs in places like Mima's plant and in shoes and silly places in the living room and kitchen.  She enjoyed that as well.
As for the picture of her with the plastic container over her face....what do you THINK she is doing?....
Well, she decided that she was an astronaut and did heavy breathing.  It cracked us all up...as only Ella could do.  After this first holiday on our own, as tough as it was, I started to feel like maybe we would be ok.

Prom Time!!!...No Ella hasn't grown that much! Danielle's Prom!

How can it be?  When I was 17, I heard the news.  Mom said "I'm pregnant!" I was like...Uh...I wanted a sister forever ago!  But I was a very proud big sister!  Danielle was 1 1/2 when I left for college.  She was about 4 when I got married and became an aunt at 11! It is unbelievable that we were at her prom!  Time really flies!  She looked beautiful and we were so glad that we made it!  We were jet-lagged but there...after about 24 hours of flying plus a 3 1/2 hour drive from St. Louis.  But...we made it! ;)  Ella had a wonderful time watching her taking pics with her friends.  She was disappointed that she didn't get to stay which to her wasn't so far-fetched since I have taken her to my proms in the past with Matt being away coaching and me being a kinda single mom.  So she would put on a pretty dress and tag along.  She got over the disappointment and was happy for her Auntie.  Can't believe Senior year is coming along already...within a few months!  I feel so old!

Time for Goodbye...

Goodbyes are super hard especially if it is for a long time.  We were working on our issues and weren't sure if we would be leaving for good or would be returning after summer.  Unfortunately, we are seperated and will be divorcing which means that the goodbye to Qatar was for good.  Matt will be staying and we will be calling Missouri home.  It was a tough day with lots of tears from all of us.  Thank goodness for technology as Matt and Ella are able to see/talk to each other daily.  It isn't the same, but it really helps.

Qatar Marine Festival : Our Last Event in Doha

Our last event in Doha was the Qatar Marine Festival.  It was a neat event with lots of exhibits and under the sea creatures to see and touch.  We were all impressed with the sand sculptures that were brought to life before our eyes.  There was always something to see or do in Doha and there are things we will miss...and things we won't.  Just like it was an experience with Highs and Lows. But it was definitely an experience.

Ella's Friends From All Over the World!

Our time in Qatar not only gave us a neat experience in international travel but also gave us the opportunity to meet great friends from all over the world! Ella's Birthday was a great opportunity to get all of these friends together.  It felt like a gathering of the United Nations! It was amazing to watch kids from all different countries playing together with all of the craziness in the world right now! Thanks to technology, Ella and I are in touch with almost all of these great people.  Ella and I are able to have "pen pals" without all of the waiting time for letters to arrive.  We keep in touch with them via email, facebook and skype.  What a wonderful world...full of wonderful people!

She Can't Be 6...Already!!!

Can't believe that our girl is 6...already! The time has flown by! Ella has grown into such an amazing girl!  She is so mature and sweet and beautiful.  We couldn't ask for a better daughter!

She wanted a pool party and in Qatar we could do that.  It was in the 80's and was a beautiful warm day...but...the pool was freezing!  She invited friends from school and our building and Mommy and Daddy's friends.  It was a diverse group from the U.S., South Africa, Venezuela, Pakistan, Mexico and Qatar.  All such awesome kids!

Matt BBQ'd by the pool and made a couple of GIANT cupcakes that were delicious.  Everyone had a great time!  Matt fell asleep instantly in his chair after a long day and Ella and I snuck off to play and go through all of the cool stuff she got!...and take a Mommy/Ella pic! :)  More pics of her and her friends to come!