Holiday Concert Fun

It's so easy to get caught under by a busy Holiday Schedule. We spent 2 consecutive nights enjoying holiday concert cheer with our kids. On Monday, Dec. 15th, Austen played in the High School Holiday Concert. He plays the Sax. All of the kids did a great job!
On Tuesday, Dec. 16th, Ella & Peter showed off their stuff in the Randolph Elementary School Holiday Concert. Ella sang with the kinders, and Peter played drum in the band. We can't wait for Cora's Valentine's Show!


I don't know what it is, but I always get teary at these things. Thank goodness for the beautiful wool scarf that my MIL brought back from Ireland! It hides my brimming eyes!

Ellisms

Ella has a language all her own. We call her personal interpretation of words Ellisms. I don't think she means to change the words, but we all crack up when she does. (Quietly or else she gets super~mad at us.) We've actually incorporated some of her words into our everyday language. Here are a few examples:

Friona~her friend Riona

Monnenary Jack~Monterey Jack Cheese
GlipGloss~LipGloss
The Combo~Gerry's parents'ski condo

Framilla~Vanilla

There are more isms to share... I will fill you in every once in awhile. What will we do when she says all of these words the right way?

Way to Go Ella!!!

Little Miss Ella is well on her way to being a Black Belt! She tested successfully for her yellow stripe last week! I can tell you first hand that it's a tad nerve~wracking to stand in front of the instructors and the whole class to test for your next rank. Ella did it on her own and she did an outstanding job! See for yourself:





Here is our instructor Master Tom Chase putting Ella's new belt on her!
Both Master Tom Chase and our other instructor, Master Peter Chase (his father) are 5th Degree Black Belts. Toms daughter Jenny (our excellent babysitter) is a 2nd Degree.
Ella and I only have 9 more testings to be recommended for our Black Belts. :)

Is This Really Something a Mother Should Have to Say to Her Child?!

This is Ella. She's 5. She's bright, funny, kind and a wonderful daughter. Today I had to say something to her that I never dreamed I'd have to say as a mother. I said,
"ELLA!!!!!!!!!!!
DON'T LICK
THE CAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
That's the first time I've ever had to say that to one of my kids. Will it be the last? Stay tuned!

Ella the Graduate

For the seventh time, we were so happy to go to the School Street Montessori End of the Year Party yesterday. It was a big day for Gerry and me because Ella graduated from pre-school and is headed off to Kindergarten in the fall. We were giggling about having been there for the two years that Peter attended, the three years that Cora attended and the three years that Ella attended. Wait! that's eight... wow. (Austen attended Gifford Pre-School but has been named an honorary alum of S.S. Montessori!)

Anyway, we were treated to lots of cute songs, great conversation with fellow parents and dear friends & watching Ella get her Montessori Diploma. She also received a blue ribbon for being the "Best Monkey Bar Climber" in the class! She and Cora have shared that title for the past 4 years. You can see her in the picture wearing her brand-new-most-favorite-of-the-moment- pink dress with polka dots. Very fancy!

There aren't words to describe how amazing and wonderful our experience with Montessori has been. Carmen, Marla, Sally, Edie, Cindy & Kirsten have taught and loved our kids in such a magical way. They have shared,with so many kids in our community, the wonder of exploration, learning and good friends. Our kids and so many others in our town are very blessed to have had the chance to take their first steps into the "big world" with all of the amazing women there!

So, yesterday's ceremony was bitter sweet. I am so proud of Ella and I can see that she is really ready to start the next phase of her life. But, I have really enjoyed watching Ella grow with Carmen and her staff! I can't imagine life without a few 5 or 6 minute chats with Ella's sweet teachers. I can't imagine leaving behind the place that shared its magic with my family for all of these years. Most of all, I can't imagine the end of the days of standing by the playstructure in the Montessori yard watching one of my wee ones crossing over the Monkey Bars and yelling, "Mommy! Watch!".

Thank you, Carmen and all of you wonderful ladies. My family is a better group for having shared these years with you.

Happy Birthday, Ella!

Ella turned 5 on Saturday! It's hard to imagine, since she's our "baby"! I had a lot of those Mommy Moments all day; remembering the night she was born, the 3 sibs coming to meet her in at the hospital, wondering where the time has gone and how I've survived having so many (amazing) little ones! I think birthdays are a gift to the parents to remember how lucky they are to have the gift of their children.

We went to see Horton Hears a Who (four stars & six thumbs up!) and then came back for a sleepover here with the Famous Ashworth Four. It was a great day. Happy Birthday Ella-bean!