Swings

I wonder at what age Ella will LOVE being pushed on the swing.  After a month of swinging attempts and lots of patience, we can officially announce that Ella loves the swing!  


Swing attempt on May 20, 2012.

Picture:  Daddy pushing Ella on the swing (May 20, 2012).

Video:  Ella riding daddy's shoulder at the playground in West Sacramento.

Video:  Ella walking daddy around the playground.

Swing attempt on June 7, 2012.

Picture:  Ella on the swing at Woodland playground (June 7, 2012).

Video:  Ella swinging away at the playground in Woodland (June 7, 2012).

Swing attempt on June 9, 2012.

Picture:  Ella on the swing at Fremont Park (June 9, 2012).

Video:  Ella enjoying the ride at Fremont Park (June 9, 2012).

Video:  Ella and Daddy enjoying the swing (June 9, 2012).

Swing attempt on June 21, 2012.

Picture:  Ella being pushed by Jack at Sam Combs Park (June 21, 2012).

Video:  Ella swinging away at Sam Combs Park (June 21, 2012).

Swing attempt on June 25, 2012.

Picture:  Ella

Video:  Ella loves swinging at McKinley Park (June 25, 2012).

Swing attempt on June 26, 2012.

Video:  Ella loves swinging at Miwok Playground (June 26, 2012).

Swing attempt on June 30, 2012.

Video:  Ella on the swings at McKinley Park (June 30, 2012).

Yay for swings!

It's my chair. . . .

Ella loves story time in her chair.  She'll get on her chair, sit, grab a book, and want to flip through the books.  It's so cute!  I'm so glad she's enjoying the chair and continues to enjoy her books.  We spent the afternoon with Isaac, Paige and Jack - playing with E's toys, story time, and going to the pool.

Video:  Ella enjoying story time with Paige and Jack (June 30, 2012).

Video:  Ella gets tickled by Paige (June 29, 2012).

So Ella is a little possessive with her toys and her chair.  It's pretty funny to watch her show other kids that she doesn't want them touching her things or sitting in her chair. Tien, Tom and Claire came over for dinner so the kids got to spend some time with each other.  Ella did not want Claire to go anywhere near her chair.  Pretty funny to watch her push her away.

Video:  Ella doesn't want to share her chair with Claire (June 30, 2012).

Picture:  Claire gets on Ella's chair and is very excited (June 30, 2012).

We love having our friends visit!

Ella loves Auntie Mayelle

Ella loves it when family spends the night ;)  Mayelle came to visit this past Wednesday and left yesterday evening. ;(  It was nice to see how much Ella enjoys having people give her attention and play next to her.  My favorite part was yesterday morning when Ella tapped on the guest room door to see if Mayelle was still there. So cute!

We spent most of Mayelle's visit playing, went to rec pool and dancing to music.  Good times!

Video:  Ella dancing to Auntie Mayelle's music (June 28, 2012).

Picture:  Ella trying to reach for Mayelle's phone (June 28, 2012).

We love Auntie Mayelle!

Miwok Playground and Park

This past Tuesday, June 26th, we went on a play date with Tien and Claire at Miwok Playground and Park in Elk Grove.  Ella loved playing in the bark - way too cute to watch her throw it up in the air as if it was snow.

Video:  Ella and Claire greet one another (June 26, 2012).

Video:  Ella and Claire enjoying the bark (June 26, 2012).

Overall, I think Ella's personality is bursting out and she's letting more people hold her.  It's wonderful to see her give hugs, laughs, smiles and kisses to our friends.

Picture:  Ella and Claire sharing the bark.

;)

McKinley Park Ducks & Squirrels

McKinley Park:
We had a fun day on Monday, June 25th - the park and swimming.  After we completed our morning errands, Ella napped on the car ride to pick up the Adair kids.  She loves having them in the car with her (and so do I!).  We love McKinley park and all of its creatures roaming around.  We spent a couple hours playing by the pond, chasing squirrels, and having a small picnic.  It was a fun lunch with the kids at the park.

Videos:  Ella, Paige and Jack feeding the ducks (June 25, 2012).

Video:  Ella wants to touch the ducks (June 25, 2012).

Video:  Ella walking around the play ground (June 25, 2012).

Video:  Ella chasing the squirrels (June 25, 2012).

Pictures: Ella at McKinley Park (June 25, 2012).

When we got home, Ella was thrilled to have the kids over and she loves to play with Isaac.  He has a certain charm that gets her laughing.  I love it!

Video:  Ella loves playing with Isaac (June 25, 2012).

After everyone took their afternoon nap, we joined McKenzie and Ethan at the Recreation Center for a swim.  Ella scraped her left knee while walking to the pool.  Sigh, now both of her knees are scraped up. She had a good time in the bench entrance splashing around.

Picture:  McKenzie feeding Ella grapes (June 25, 2012).

Busy but fun day!

Kids Swimming Party

We hosted our first kids swimming party with Ella this past Saturday, June 23rd for our congregation.  We had about 30 kids varying different ages come and everyone seemed to have a great time despite the breeze and semi-warm weather.  We were hoping for a hot sunny day, but it all worked out!  Ella was her usual clingy self at the beginning of the party but was more sociable towards the end.

Video:  Ella eating with the rest of the kids (June 23, 2012).

Video:  Ella at the recreation pool (June 23, 2012).

Picture:  Ella sitting and eating with the kids (June 23, 2012).

Picture:  Ella joining the kids playing with the punching balls (June 23, 2012).

Picture:  Ella with the big purple ball (June 23, 2012).

Picture:  Ella watching Wyatt playing with the ball (June 23, 2012).

Overall, we had a fun time with all the kids and their folks.  Ella behaved for most of it which was great especially since she didn't get her afternoon nap. When we got home, I notice she got her first knee scrape ;(  Doesn't seem to bother her but still breaks my heart to see her get hurt.

Picture:  Ella's first scrape on her right knee (June 24, 2012). 

Bubbles, Bubbles, Bubbles

Ella woke up from her morning nap to a lovely surprise - Gabriella and Sophia!  She just loves having her friends over to play with.  We eventually ended up going outside and Sophia blew bubbles for Ella.  I am always so amazed at how good her vision is.  She can pick up the tiniest speck on the floor!

Picture:  Sophia blowing bubbles for Ella (June 22, 2012).

Video:  Ella enjoying the front yard with Sophia and Gabriella (June 22, 2012).

After we had lunch, Ella played a little more with Sophia and Gabriella while the dogs kept trying to join the fun.  I love how friendly Ella is with the friends when she is at home.  She lets them hold her, hug her, and even chase her.  It's wonderful.

Picture:  Ella and Sophia (June 22, 2012).

Can't believe she's 14 months!