Back to one of our favorite places to go with the kids... the santa barbara zoo. Such a wonderful place to go. We fed the fish; played on the grassy hill; rode the train; saw the elephants, lions and giraffes; and rode the train. A great, beautiful day. We enjoyed dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant before heading back home. 

Ella loves gymnastics and adores her teacher, Coach Courtney. Here Ella is perfecting her backbend. Next on her list is a cartwheel!

Vincent took Ella to go hit some golf balls last weekend and she loved it! Vincent loves to golf and he loves sharing his hobbies with his little loves...This is going to be their daddy/daughter weekly excursion. While I want to join them so badly, I also love that get one on one time together. I know I treasure my mommy/daughter days!

We had a playdate at out friend Kristens' house and she had carrots growing in the backyard. The kids were so excited to pull out and eat their very own carrot! :)

Last night Ella got to see 4 of her favorite big girls! And she watched 3 of them graduate high school! Congratulations Jessica, Jordan and Ashley! We're so proud of you! You all have such bright futures ahead of you! 

Love my little, big boy.

"You're never fully dressed without a smile." :)

  

What a difference a year makes. Ella has accomplished so much in this past year. She has literally gone from my little girl into my big girl. Watching her read and write just blows me away. She can count to 100 and knows all her days of the week and months in the year. She went from coloring completely outside the lines to now coloring inside the lines. She paints the most beautiful pictures on her easel. I cannot believe the transition from four to five. This was also the first year where she kept reminding me to take her to the doctor to get her 5 year old shots. I couldn't understand why considering how much she hates needles... but she explained how she is so excited to go to kindergarten and she knows she needs her shots to go. So therefore she wanted to get her shots! The day of our appointment I could tell her excitement had turned to nervousness, and she kept asking if they would hurt. So we decided to call Mackenzie and ask her if she thought they hurt when she had her well check. I have to say this could have been the cutest conversation I have ever witnessed. Mackenzie helped calm Ella's nerves. And once we got inside the office it was actually Jacob that started to get upset. He kept saying he wanted to leave and didn't want to see the doctor :) And our brave Ella kept reassuring him we weren't there for him and that it was her who needed the shots. Her well check went great. She is 40lbs and 42 inches. She grew 2 1/2 inches since last year. And then it came time for the shots... she sat on Vincents' lap and whispered in his ear that she was nervous again. (melt me) I saw in her face how brave she was trying to be and how hard she tried not to cry. I swear it may seem silly, but I was so incredibly proud of her for trying so hard to be brave. She did shed a few tears during the shots, but they were over in a second and all was good again. :) 

playtime at the play area in the mall.

Ella and I went last week together to get our nails done at the nail salon. It was a special treat for an early Mother's Day celebration. We had so much fun together just the two of us. Ella kept looking at me the entire time with a huge smile on her face and she kept giggling. It was a perfect mommy/daughter date. I love our quality time together and I cannot wait for our next one!

My beautiful family and I on Mother's Day. These two amazing kids are my life. They are my everything. I had no idea I could love like this until the day my beautiful baby girl was born. I love them so much and they make me being their mom the most fantastic and rewarding experience I could ever have.

And Happy Mother's Day to the most amazing mom in the whole wide world!!! I love you so much mom. I remember when I was a kid and you would tuck me in every night I would always say, "I love you mom. You're the best mom a kid could ever have. Sweet dreams; good night; I love you." Even though I don't get to say that to you every night now, I always think it! I LOVE YOU!!!

 

I picked Ella up from school yesterday and her, Jacob and I headed straight to Disneyland for some afternoon fun! We met up with our friends Nicole and Keane and had the best time together! Ella, Jacob and Keane all get along so well-so cute to watch the three of them. We stayed at the park until almost 10pm! We decided to stay for the World of Color show at California Adventure and I'm so glad we did... it was amazing. We've never seen it and it was awesome! Ella is still talking about it and how she can't wait to go back and watch it with her daddy.

Ella and Keane again held hands almost the entire time. :)

On Friday Ella's class had a Mother's Day Ice Cream Celebration for all the mommy's. Ella served me ice cream and even cleaned up after me! Then she gave me the best gift ever, a vase with her handprint on it and a homemade card. She was so excited the whole time and she was so proud of herself. I was so proud of her too! She has made being a mommy the best thing I have ever done in my life! Thank you my sweet love for the most special day and for making me feel so loved and special! I love being your mommy!