Preschool!

Ella has officially started her academic career! Today was her first days of preschool. I am so excited for this school year! We didn't even know if we could sent her to preschool this year because every place I knew about was so expensive. I wasn't interested in doing a joy school or anything like that because it just isn't my thing. I didn't want to teach her myself because she doesn't listen to me and/or believe me when I try to teach her something. But, she listens to others and does really well in her primary class. And plus, I wanted her to benefit from going somewhere else and meeting new friends to get her ready for kindergarten next year.

I was so thankful when a friend recommended an inexpensive preschool! It is a price we can afford (and not $55/week like the local school district, which I find ridiculous). And even though I didn't know the teacher, I felt it would be good for Ella.

Ella has been so excited since we told her about going to school. She got to pick out her backpack herself and helped pick out a new outfit for the first day. She has known about preschool for about a month, but last night right before bed, it really hit her and she got so scared and nervous! I talked to her about what will happen and when she asked if she can play at school and I told her she would, she started feeling better, and went right to sleep.

This morning, she was very excited! She kept asking about every 20 minutes if leaving to go to school yet. So finally at 8:10, we left. We got there at the same time as two of her classmates. Of course she was shy going in, but I think she warmed up pretty quickly.

It was so weird at home without her here and not even within 15 minutes of me. But Caleb really enjoyed the time alone. He hardly ever gets time alone with us so this will be good for him too.

When we go there to pick her up, her class was just coming out to wait for parents. Her teacher brought her over and told us she did great and that she had an award she colored. Of course being the stubborn girl she is, she did not want to show us her award. She even said she left it at her school. She just wanted to show us on her time.

So Ella's first day of school went great! And she even wants to go back!

Happy Birthday, Ella!

Okay, so this is two and a half months late, but I'm finally getting around to posting about Ella's birthday.

On June 16th, Ella turned four years old! This was an interesting/special birthday because she shared it with her cousin Matthew's baptism! His birthday is the day before hers and the stake baptism date fell on her birthday. Another neat thing is that because of the baptism, my brother and his family were able to be here for her little party! They live in California and we only get to see them a few times a year.

These are some pictures from her party. She was so excited about all her gifts!

Ella is growing up so fast! She is such a caring and good little girl. And she is so funny! I just crack up at all the silly things she does and says. I am so thankful for her and am so glad she is a part of our family. I love her so much! I just wish she wouldn't grow up so fast.