Happy BirthWEEK

Yep, that's right Happy BirthWEEK.  Ella had a whole week full of birthday celebrations.  She's one super extra special lucky little girl!!  Thank you to the all the Crawfords for coming over to celebrate the weekend before her birthday.  We had fun hanging out and eating fajitas.  She sure loves her gifts from everyone!  Her actual birthday fell on a Thursday which is soccer practice day.  As soon as she got home she wanted to open her presents but had to impatiently wait for daddy.  If I'm not mistaken as soon as she got the green light his boss called so he missed it all. :(  Off we went to soccer with cupcakes to share.  Then back home for the dinner she requested: ribs and corn on the cob.  Her favorite dinner!  Then on Saturday we had some really great seats to the Rangers game (thank you Scott and Laura) and finally on Sunday, her much anticipated ALL girl bowling party.  She plans her parties a year in advance and had been asking for a bowling party for a year so bowling it was.  When it came time to actually plan it she asked for it to be all girls.  I guess we're at that age.  Then of course the week after school starts and invitations are going out she asks, "Mom can I invite Collin?"  The printed invitations say "The girls are going bowling..."  Sorry sweetheart!  I'm pretty sure the party was a hit for all the girls.  Everyone seemed to have a great time!  However, I think we'll do something on a smaller scale next year like maybe a slumber party with just a few girls!!

the first celebration

On her actual birthday she apparently wore the same dress with a different top.

Julie's (American Girl) dogs

After soccer blowing out a candle on her real birthday

Let's BOWL

Pizza time

Ella and Georgia with Ava in the back

The cake!  Ella picked this out online and I had a lady make it.  The top was strawberry and the bottom vanilla.  It was yummy.  The favors were matching sugar cookies.  

Sweet Wylie!

Ella and gifts

Dancing to the card from Taylor!  

Happy 6th birthday to my BIG girl!

Boosterthon 2011

Kindergarten is full of firsts.  Today was another first for Ella!  She participated in her first Boosterthon fundraiser at her school.  This is a great way to raise money for schools without buying anything!  The goal is to run 25-35 laps in a set time and ask for pledges.  Ella made some calls and then made a poster that I emailed to ask for the rest. :)  The money raised goes towards technology and new playground equipment.  I think they are wanting a facelift to the current playground.  They had all kinds of challenges and received prizes, like balls, water bottles, sun glasses, etc (all things to keep them moving).  The kindergarten grade level was in the lead for the most pledges as of the end of the day yesterday.  Her class  has earned slipper day, crazy sock day, pajama day, movie/popcorn day.... These kids are so excited.  She really does appreciate all the support!  The principals have to be the best sports.  They come to the race in costumes and cheer on the kids and then something about getting duct taped to the walls.  I'll have to hear more about that tomorrow when I'm in the library.  This year they came out in Angry Bird costumes!!!  It was such a great event and so fun to watch all the kids.

Oh, yeah, Ella ran all 35 laps!!!!  She even had a few minutes to spare.  She is definitely a Crawford and making her daddy smile from ear to ear!

FYI: 1 lap = 1/16 of a mile
Ella ran 2.19 miles
I think she might run the Tinkerbell instead of me!!

Enjoy a few photos I took....

Angry Birds!

Classes lined up listening to Dynamite Dave's instructions... 

 Walking their first lap (Ella has the pink ribbon - only for about two laps)

 There she goes...

 Coach Mandy marking her shirt - they had to have their shirts marked after each lap.  Ella really didn't want to slow down though.

 Keep it moving, girl!!

 Loving it!

Water break - he had them slow down and skip, walk, etc every 5 minutes or so.

Getting pink cheeks

 She found Ava, briefly.  She had to keep moving.

Getting pretty sweaty.

 "Put your hands up" dancing to the lyrics

 Final lap!!!!!

Cooling down with time to spare :)

Ok, so maybe more than a few photos but isn't she too cute!  Such a good sport.  How could I stop?!?

Way to go Ella!!!

Gospel Gang

This past Sunday was Ella's first time to sing in church for the fall.  She moved up to the Luke choir (K-1st).  Unfortunately Chris and I didn't get to attend the service and see them sing.  They sang at the 11:00 service and her party started at 11:45 so we had to take the cake to the bowling alley.  This video is from the church's website taken the Sunday prior at run throughs. Ella is on the top row on the right side.

Another year has gone by...

I feel like I just blinked and she was spitting out her baby food, stressing me out, trying to figure out why she wouldn't eat.  Or, she was just playing in the leaves in the backyard on Marquita.  Maybe we had just gotten home from a Mommy and Me gymnastics class with little brother in tow in the infant carrier.  I was teaching her how to write her letters, the incorrect way since D'Nealian is the proper way these days, or possibly how to read.  But, no, today I blink and open my (teary) eyes to my budding, bright, beautiful six year old daughter.  She's one of the sweetest, kindest, warm-hearted but yet stubborn, impatient, sassy little girls I know.  She loves her family with all her heart and is so excited to see everyone, even her brother...until he pushes her buttons.  In case you're wondering, buttons are pushed quickly.  She loves her friends.  Sometimes a little too much.  I have to remind sweet Ella that family comes first from time to time.  She LOVES, loves, loves school.  Every morning the alarm goes off and she pops out of bed ready to go!  I sure hope her positive attitude towards school sustains throughout the years.  Most importantly she loves Jesus.  I'm so proud that every year she has talked about Christmas being about Jesus' birthday, not Santa and most recently we've been reading Bible verses every morning before school.  She runs downstairs so we can read them and discuss.  I love her eagerness to learn!  Ella has such a positive outlook on life that one can not help but smile when around her.

Ella you are certainly the most perfect daughter I could ask for.  I am so thankful for you everyday and know you are a blessing to me and your daddy, and Bennett, too.  We love you to the moon and back.  I know life has such wonderful things planned for you and I can't wait to see you continue blossom.

Happy Birthday, Ella Bella!

That's right, I'll always be right there in your eyes everywhere you look (if you look closely you can see me in her pupils)!

Ella and her BFF Ava

Bennett is a Pre-schooler

Last Friday Bennett started school, pre-school!  He's moved up from MDO to the pre-school world.  He's in Ella's old classroom but has new teachers.  He's going three days a week just like she did.  On Meet the Teacher day he was rather clingy to me and didn't leave my side until he spotted some super hero-ish toys.  After that he made himself right at home and didn't want to leave.  His friend, Stasia, from last year is in his class and Lila who's older sister is Georgia (Ella's good friend) is in his class.  Other than those two girls none of his friends made it into his class.  I wasn't sure what to expect Friday morning...would he cry like he does every Sunday we go to church (same building) or walk right in.  He walked right in with a wave and, "Bye mom."  What a big boy!  When I arrived at 2:00 to pick him up he was still asleep on his nap mat...something I hadn't seen in about six weeks at home.  He has had a great first two days of school.  I'm sure this will be a great year!  We love our teachers at pre-school!!

Ready to go!

These were taken before Ella left for school.