End of Summer

My sweet girl, we had such an amazing summer. I taught summer school for the first four weeks, but I was done by 12:30pm every day so we always had a fun activity planned. We spent countless days at the beach. Salt Creek is probably your favorite because you love to scream when we go through the tunnel and hear your voice echo, but you love Baby Beach, Aliso Creek, and Newport as well :) As long as there is a snack bar nearby, you are one happy camper. When Daddy is with us, you love to watch him run out into the water, but then you cry because when he falls you think he's getting an "owie".

We were involved in so many activities and you had such a blast. Swimming is probably your favorite and we went to Waterworks twice a week. Your lesson is only 20 minutes, but afterwards you swim in the "play pool" for at least an hour. I always have to bribe you with an icee to get out! We shower you there because your poor hair gets rock hard with all of the chlorine and salt water in the pools. It's actually pretty hilarious. One day you jumped in too close to the steps and the lifeguard had to come talk to you. He was very sweet and explained that you needed to follow the rules for safety reasons. Your bottom lip was quivering the whole time he was talking and when he turned his back you walked to me with your head facing down to the ground and just bawled your eyes out (with your goggles still on). It was so sad, but oh so cute. Mimi said I was the exact same way as a toddler, we don't like to get into trouble. We also spent many hot afternoons at the Aliso Viejo Aquatic Center. We even had a play date with all of my high school friends. So much fun! You love playing with new friends. Ella, you are shy as can be and sometimes people wonder why you don't talk and bury your head into my legs. With people you know, we can't keep you quiet :)

We signed up for parent & me princess ballet and tap too. Daddy ended up doing a lot of the Saturday glasses with you since I had to stay off of my feet for a week or so. Apparently you had more fun with him because you always asked if he could go with you. Cousin Story did it with us as well and whenever she came in the class you would completely stop what you were doing and shriek with excitement and yell out her name. It's adorable to see how much you love her :) Thank goodness tap was on Monday mornings and that was our special time together. We had a great teacher and you loved the noise your shoes made. When those classes ended we started to go to another class in Aliso Viejo with our friends Rachele and Charm. We've bonded with them ever since we had the scare at Scooter's Jungle (one of the giant, oversized bounce houses began to deflate with both you little girls in it and you were trapped, so scary!). We also did a 4 week ballet/tap/tumbling class at the South Coast Conservatory. I loved that one, but they ended up canceling it because there was only three of you. Needless to say, we definitely exposed you to dance this summer and you loved it :)

The last four weeks of summer were a little tough. Mommy had a miscarriage and you didn't really understand what was going on :( Definitely shocked us, an emotional roller coaster to say the least. We got through it though as a family! In the end, it brought us all closer and my quality time with you seemed more precious than ever before :) We all got really sick around mid-August. You had it the worst with infections in both eyes and your right ear, a fever, and a sore throat/cough. My poor baby, you were such a trooper. Much more brave than Daddy was when he got it :) We were so lucky to have both Greif and Astor family reunions. You got to spend time with your great-grandparents and cousins in Ventura & Newport Beach which was absolutely priceless. You thought chasing cousin Emi was the coolest thing ever :) The pictures are amazing! My Aunt & Uncle rented the same house in Newport that we stayed in for 25+ years every summer. So cool to see it remodeled and filled with a younger generation.

You did so many adorable things this summer that I never want to forget. For example, whenever you see ANYTHING with letters on it you scream, "ABCD's!" You can identify the letters B, O, and X. Not sure why those particular letters, it must be your Leap Frog toy :) When you get protective over any toy or doll you say, "That's not Daddy's, no mommy's, that's Ella's!" If we are out and about running errands and you want to go home you will wine "Go mommy's house please" and if you're mad at me you change it to "Go daddy's house please". It's too funny! Daddy is a hero at the moment and can do no wrong. You run to him when he gets home or you hide so he has to come find you. When he leaves in the morning you watch him drive off through the window :( That being said, you are pretty fickle with which parent you prefer so both Daddy and I get our turns. Trying to get you to sleep at night has become a real chore. You won't stay in your toddler bed so daddy and I have been putting you in the pack 'n play to fall asleep and then move you :) At 5am every morning you wake up and come in to our bed. You usually sleep until 7am with us which is nice. Tomorrow is my first day back at school and I'm really nervous for you to go to daycare/school. You did really well on your "transition day" but Daddy has to take you on the first day since I can't be late to work. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. If you panic, Aunt Katie will be on standby :) I promise to pick you up right after school! We love you so much sweet girl!!!