First Day of School

Today Ellie started Kindergarten! I was so afraid that she was going to "pull an Ellie" (fall on the ground, suck her thumb and refuse to move), but to my surprise she didn't. She was awesome! My little stink bug was all smiles! When the Teacher asked them to line up Ellie did not hesitate, then she went into the classroom and followed all the directions that Mrs. B gave her; hung up her backpack, found her name, and went to play on the carpet. Before I left her she gave me a kiss and smiled as I told her goodbye. I was so proud of my Ellie girl. Then when I went to pick her up she still had a smile on her face. And she even says that she will be happy to go back tomorrow! I can't believe my little girl has started school!

First day of school outfit. She's all Smiles!

Talking to Grandma Candice on the Phone before going to school.

The Tinker Bell Backpack.

Picking Mason up from her first day of school.

In front of Ellie's school.

Lining up to go inside of her classroom.

Playing with blocks.

After school... Still smiling!

I can't believe my little girl is going to school!

Hair Bow Holders

The other day I made bows for Ellie and my niece Kaleigh and sat them on top of my piano for lack of a better place to store them. I didn't want to stuff them in the same box I put all Ellie's hair things... that would really flatten them out. I decided it would be fun to make these hair bow holders, which I'm glad I did. They are really easy to make and really cute, plus Ellie's bows have a place to be stored that won't squish them. I hung Ellie's next her closet. Now we can pick out a bow to match at the same time she gets dressed.

The Bull Buck Tree

This morning we decided it would be nice to get out of the Valley for the day. We packed a picnic and headed towards an old family favorite.... Nelder Grove, located in the beautiful Sierra National Forest. I have been camping at Nelder Grove my whole life and it has wonderful trails to hike that showcase many beautiful Giant Sequoias. Brian and I decided it would be fun to take Ellie and Tanner up there so they could see the "Big Trees". It had been over five years since we had been there and I admit got us a little lost, but it was only a 20 minute detour! Once we got there we had lunch and headed off to one of the trails. We decided to take the trail that led to the Bull Buck Tree, although we cheated and entered through the exit and left the same way.... which ended up being a good idea since Tanner decided he wanted to be carried.

In front of the Bull Buck Tree.

The whole time we were hiking to the tree Ellie kept saying, "I can't see the big tree, where is it?" Then when it finally came into view she said, "Woa, that is big!"

Walking on the Trail.

The Bridge that leads to The Chimney Tree Trail. Tanner and Ellie loved this Bridge, we spent quite a bit of time here watching them as they ran back and forth.

On our way home we drove through McDonald's and got Ice Cream! Believe it or not, Tanner only got three drips on him!

It was so much fun getting out of the heat of the Valley, maybe next time we will stay a few days.