She's so impressive.

Ella had two more vaccinations she needed before she could start Kindergarten, and we went to get those yesterday.  Of course she was unhappy about having to get shots when I first told her about it a couple of weeks ago, but yesterday she was as brave as she could be.  She didn't fuss, and she didn't cry.  She simply requested to bring Katherine (her Cabbage Patch doll) along for comfort, and off we went.  She was also excited about getting to paint when it was over.

We had a wee photo shoot before we left

in honor of the week before Kindergarten.

As a side note, I would not have picked out the clothes

Ella is wearing for an outing on the town, but this girl

ALWAYS wants to wear a dress and NEVER wants to wear

her tennis-shoes.  But yesterday, she picked this outfit out 

and thought it was so great, so I didn't say a word.

While in the waiting room, I told Ella I brought her a book to read.  When she started to read aloud I was amazed at her all over again.  In my ideal world, we would have time for her to practice reading every day, but of course that doesn't always happen.  Even so, the progression of her reading skills amazes me every time.

Even after we were called back to the waiting room, she showed no signs of apprehension about her shots.  She was bouncy and fun, and we read together some more.  When the nurse came in, she did as I asked her and sat in my lap, looked away and had her two shots.  They lasted a few seconds, but she didn't cry or make a sound.  Then it was over like a flash, and she was so excited about her two sparkly princess stickers.  She skipped out of the doctor's office ready for our painting adventure.  I love that girl.  She amazes me.

A Pugh Party

I get to spend the evening with this lovely couple.

A Brighter Outlook

The clouds are heavy across the sky this morning, but the clouds that were over my heart yesterday are long gone.  Whew.  I don't like days like that.  If I had written a blog post yesterday it would have sounded like I was stuck with Anne in the depths of despair.  I suppose a day like that is just a byproduct of 13-hour days of child-rearing.  Monday through Wednesday are long days with KJ having visitation, jail ministry, and college Bible study all in a row, so by the time he comes through the door at 9:45 on Wednesday night, I am more than ready for his day off on Thursday.  He switched his day off this week, however, so off he left yesterday morning.  

I think all I wanted/needed was some solitude, just a little bit of peace.  I think I would have been able to take a day of rest if James wasn't at the age of needing constant instruction and correction.  Ella is quite able to entertain herself if need be, but James is at the age of needing to be taught how to play with others.  Whatever toy Ella has always looks soo inviting to him, and he walks up and snatches it.  Then there are tears from Ella and hollering from him when I try to take it from him and return it to her.  In the morning of new grace I can laugh at these things.  

Oddly enough, the outing that snatched me out of my funk yesterday was the Open House at Ella's new school!  It's so fun going places with my big girl.  Of course, it's always been fun going places with her.  From the time she was 8 or 9 months old she has been a joy to go out in public with.  Wal-Mart and Target and the library were all grand adventures to her.  

She was so excited last night and so grown-up about getting dressed and going to see her class room, and once we got in her class room with the other children and parents and the teacher, I felt so excited, too.  I just wanted her to stay in Kindergarten forever.

My heart felt completely at ease seeing a class of only 12 children, learning that the boy sitting beside Ella was the teacher's grandson, knowing that she already knew several girls in the class; hearing the teacher talk about how her greatest joy was teaching the kids about our Savior, that if any parent had something they wanted to share with the class to let her know and she'd plan it, that we can come and eat lunch with her anytime.  I felt the reality of the school's desire to partner with parents in educating their children.  Also, I was asked to take pictures on the first day of school for a scrapbook!  Happy mommy.  I was dreading simply dropping her off to fend for herself the first day.  Now I've been given permission to be there and photograph every minute.  Cheers.

It was an exciting night, and KJ is staying home today!  This means that I am able to get out of the house and take care of some more school preparation:  vaccines.  That's not incredibly exciting, but after the shots Ella and I are going to paint ceramics, and she is super-excited about that.  This evening we will be attending a birthday party for KJ's dad.  Ella whispered in my ear on Sunday, "Big Daddy said we were invited to his birthday party!"  You know how important that is to Kindergartners.  

I'm thankful for a brighter outlook this morning.  In fact, I can see that the sun is now shining through the clouds in my backyard, too.

The Week Before Kindergarten

I've been trying to plan special activities and to spend a little extra time with Ella during this week before Kindergarten.  I've also been working everyone into an earlier bedtime since she will have to start waking up earlier to go to school.  KJ and I were laughing that I might have to start using an alarm again.  I haven't had to do that in five years.  I've always had a baby to wake me up in the morning.  I'm not sure I'll really need an alarm, though.  I went to bed on time myself last night and was up by 6:10 naturally, so I don't think it will be a problem.


Monday I painted Ella's toenails (that's an important thing to take care of before school starts, don't you think?), and we went to Wal-Mart to purchase a thermos.  She picked out one shaped like a Crayola crayon.  Very apropos.  

Yesterday we went to the library for story time.  For some reason they didn't actually have story time yesterday so after a trip to the fountain, returning books, and picking out new books and movies, it was time to take our leave.  James was not using his library voice.

Since Ella's mom has made photography a habit, Ella has taken to saying things like, "Why don't I lean up against this tree and you take my picture?"  On an agreeable day she's quite the little model. 

During James' nap we did a little scrap-booking.  She's getting very good with her glue stick.   

It is hard to think of letting my girl out of my oversight from 8-3 p.m. every day, but it has done wonders for my prayer life.  I don't think I've ever prayed so much before this.  I'm praying for Ella, for her friends, and for her teacher.  Focusing on rational requests helps keep irrational fears at bay.  It is definitely going to be a big transition for our family, but I am hoping it will be good one.  

Beautiful

There was Eru, the One, who in Arda is called Iluvatar; and he made first the Ainur, the Holy Ones, that were the offspring of his thought, and they were with him before aught else was made.  And he spoke to them, propounding to them themes of music; and they sang before him, and he was glad...


But now Iluvatar sat and hearkened, and for a great while it seemed good to him, for in the music there were no flaws.  But as the theme progressed, it came into the heart of Melkor to interweave matters of his own imagining that were not in accord with the theme of Iluvatar; for he sought therein to increase the power and glory of the part assigned to himself...for desire grew hot within him to bring into Being things of his own...


Some of these thoughts he [Melkor] now wove into his music, and straightway discord arose about him, and many that sang nigh him grew despondent, and their thought was disturbed and their music faltered...then the discord of Melkor spread ever wider, and the melodies which had been heard before foundered in a sea of turbulent sound...


Then Iluvatar arose, and the Ainur perceived that he smiled; and he lifted up his left hand, and a new theme began amid the storm, like and yet unlike to the former theme, and it gathered power and had new beauty.  But the discord of Melkor rose in uproar and contended with it, and again there was a war of sound more violent than before...


Then Iluvatar spoke, and he said:  'Mighty are the Ainur, and mightiest among them is Melkor; but that he may know, and all the Ainur, that I am Iluvatar, those things that ye have sung, I will show them forth, that ye may see what ye have done.  And thou, Melkor, shalt see that no theme may be played that hath not its uttermost source in me, nor can any alter the music in my despite.  For he that attempteth this shall prove but mine instrument in the devising of things more wonderful, which he himself hath not imagined.'  (from Tolkien's Silmarillion)


Does that story sound like another story you know?  Another story you're a part of perhaps? I'm so thankful for the great redemptive work of Christ that is changing all the horrible effects of the fall into a glorious and good end.  Be encouraged.

But You, O LORD, are a shield about me,

My Glory, and the One who lifts my head.

- Psalm 3:3 -

A Pleasant Man

His picture may have been removed from my blog, but his words remain. Here's hoping to be a little bit more like Elwood each and every day.

Together at Home

Today begins a new month, and that means a lot of things in my mind as I make plans for the months ahead.  It means we're one month out from Ella's birthday, which means it's time for me to get busy planning her "awesome surprise" birthday party and making her "really good" birthday dvd.  Those were her stipulations this year.  It means I'm two months out from doing the same thing for James; however, he is not old enough to give any stipulations yet.


Most eminently, this week means we're one week out before the beginning of Kindergarten.  Kindergarten.  This is the last full week at home I will have with Ella until her Thanksgiving break.  It is the end of nearly five years of 24/7 care of my daughter.  It's made me think about my first full week in charge of her.

She fit just right on our sofa pillows,

and she loved sleeping there.

Looking over at the girl on my couch,

I can hardly believe this is really her.

I guess she slept a lot that first week.

I didn't.

She even slept in Uncle Kam's lap when he came over.

She was the sweetest little girl ever,

and she still is.

She's not a baby any longer, though, and she's ready for school.  She's ready for daily interaction with friends and structured times of learning that are hard for me to provide with little man constantly interrupting.  Although I will say, I think I've been able to teach her a lot.  The first grade teacher who conducted Ella's entrance interview at the school last week was very impressed with her reading skills.  I took a moment to pat us both on the back.  :)  

Now it's time for last minute preparations, getting into an earlier bedtime routine, and making lots of fun "last week" memories.  I'm excited.