Friday, July 25, 2014

Fourth of July Weekend 2014

Our Fourth of July weekend started off with a fun morning at the Alameda County Fair with Grandma, Uncle Brad, Papa Goofy, and Grandma Ellie. We visited animals, played in corn, had corn dogs and ice cream cones, and watched Ella sing and dance alongside a performance by the Senior Choir. It was such a happy day!

That afternoon, Chris, Ella and I took a quick flight down to San Diego for the long weekend. We had a great time visiting his parents, brother, and grandma. As always, we shared lots of nice time around the house/backyard, good food and conversation, and a few little adventures. This time we went to the San Diego Zoo, La Jolla Shores Beach, Jeff and Erin's new place, and Cardiff for a quick visit with Kristen and family. We are so glad that we got one last trip to San Diego in before settling into baby time in the Bay Area.

3rd of July at the Alameda County Fair

First Time Having Breakfast in Bed
Courtesy of Grandma
Corn-Box! Such a Great Idea
Family Fun at the Fair: Grandma Ellie, Papa Goofy, Grandma, and UB
First Corn Dog
They are the best at the Fair...
Ella sang and danced with the Senior Choir (for their whole show).
It was adorable... She loved watching them, and they loved watching her!
Checking out the bunnies and chickens with UB
Who knew you could "cheers" with ice cream cones... ha!
Love
Thanks for my darling "Fourth of July Dress" Grandma Ellie and Papa Goofy!

4th of July in San Diego

A Garber Trip to the San Diego Zoo!
The elephants put on a great show for us as they showered themselves :)
Ella Watching Her Favorites: the Elephants
Checking Out the 1 Month Old Giraffe with Papa
"Gardening" in Nana and Papa's Backyard
Fun in the Fountain (While the Adults Enjoyed Happy Hour)
Nana and Papa's Backyard
Ella LOVED Nana's Hummus
She has my heart
One of the Many Faces of Ella
Ella introduced Grandma Barbi (and the rest of the family) to Frozen
La Jolla Shores
Closest Beach to Uncle Jeff and Erin's Apartment!
We met up with Auntie Kristen, Uncle Kurt, and Dylan while they were camping in Cardiff!
Have I mentioned Ella loves dirt?
Dylan, "That girl loves dirt"
Ella, "What dirt?"

Monday, July 21, 2014

Summer Fun, 2014

We've been having a great summer! I'd say we've been busy, but that's just our normal these days. In June I said goodbye to teaching in order to say hello to being with my kid(s) full time. While it was bittersweet to leave the classroom, my students, and my colleagues, I'm so looking forward to this next chapter. I'm soaking up these last few months as a Mommy-Daughter duo, but I have to admit I'm slowing down as we get closer to baby brother's due date. The excitement is growing-- just as much as my big belly! Ella swears there's a baby in her belly, too :)

Currently we're in the middle of remodeling our master bed and bathroom, so we're spending lots of time out of the house and around the Bay. Ella is putting phrases together and entertaining us all the while. Her speed, determination, independence, personality, expression, and vocabulary is growing every day! Lately she's been singing a lot-- sometimes songs we know and sing together and other times random words that come into her mind (both real and made-up). She LOVES Elsa and "Cinderelly," and likes to copy their moves from the movies. 

Some funny things Ella said/says:
Me, knowing Chris is about to get home for dinner: "I miss Daddy, Ella. Do you?" 
Ella: "Daddy working Mommy. It's ok."
---
Me, after Ella falls or needs something: "Ella can I help you?"
Ella, when she needs anything now: "Help you! Help you!"
---
Ella, after I put a Disney band-aid on her knee: "Boo-boo all better. Cinderelly nice. All better now."
---
Ella, after waking up in her crib: "Moommmmyy! All done now!"
---
Papa: "I like the birds on your shirt."
Ella: "No. Mingos." (as in fla-mingos) 
---
"ok Mommy" which is quite the improvement from "no way"
"what whoa" (uh oh)
"oh my gosh!"
"you soon!" (see you soon)
"back" with a wagging finger, implying "I'll be right back"
"____TIME!" (Insert park, shower, bath, dinner, diaper, sand, etc. The enthusiasm is hysterical.)
"gardening" (this refers mostly to transferring dirt and/or rocks from one place to another..)

Some of Ella's favorite songs to sing:
Itsy Bitsy Spider
Twinkle Twinkle
ABCs (comes in strong for G, P, V, and Z :))
Slippery Fish
Wheels on the Bus
E-I-E-I-O, a.k.a. Old McDonald
Anything from the Frozen soundtrack...

Here are some highlights of June and July (so far). I'm planning to post Fourth of July (here and in San Diego) soon!

Last Day of Little Hands
Mom's Favorite Coffee and Coffee Date
Last Day of School at Cumberland Elementary School
Teachers' Kids Say Goodbye to the Students!
Fun Day with Auntie Katelyn
CuriOdyssey, Burgers, Backyard Fun, and Farmers' Market!
Daddy's New Office!
Check out my badge!
First Cone
She got the hang of it really fast...
Look! Elsa Pajamas!
My Favs
Family Ice Cream Date Downtown Before Mommy's Glucose Test
No Diabetes with this pregnancy! Yay!!
Kiddie Pool Fun
Backyard Fun
Our Master Bathroom at the Moment :)
First Day of Swim Lessons
Peninsula Swim School
Half Moon Bay
Shadow Cliffs with Julia, Jocelyn and Kiddos!
The 3 Amigos: Joi, Dillon, and Ella
European Souvenirs: Ciao Bella Purse & Beatles Shirt
Thanks Gabie and Auntie Katelyn!
Waffles at Dean's Cafe
Fun Day at the Oakland Zoo with Auntie Katelyn, Grandma Ellie, and Papa Goofy
Animals, Train Ride, Picnic Lunch & Carousel :)