Ella's lesson learned.... or Mama's lesson learned??

Ella woke up this morning with a big wad of gum stuck in her hair. My punishment was to make her try to get it out herself for a while. After 2 minutes of trying she was back and no gum. Stupidly, I asked her what she did but I could already tell. She cut it out. So, I guess I learned MY lesson.

ERB, 8-19-11, 4 years old.

Time To Hit The Books. First Day of School 2011

Emma is a 4th grader in Mrs. Case's class. Eva Grace is a 2nd grader in Mrs. McCall's class (Emma's teacher from last year).

A lot of prep work goes into the first day of school. Our backpacks were picked out and monogrammed with bling. Eva Grace believes you can't have enough sparkles, which is obvious by her unphotographable backpack. Our nails were also painted, favorite outfits picked out by each girl, teacher's gifts packed, and prayers said. Thankfully, all the school supplies were delivered at Open Houses, which were all 3 on the same night, at mostly the same times, in three opposite ends of towns!

Ella started Tuesday at Concordia. Her preschool from last year closed but most of her girl friends from there came to Concordia too! (Anders, Ella, Bella, Kaleigh).

One of her best little girlfriends, Ella Mae, is also in her class this year. And, Theron Johnson, Eliza Ramsey and Caroline Box are right next door! (Notice her lunchbox. She didn't get a backpack but was very proud of her new lunchbox!).

Teacher gifts this year...

Our Anniversary gift from the girls...

Today is our Anniversary (12 years). The girls have been planning something special for days now. Burt and I both knew they were up to something but had no idea all the thought and detail they were putting into it.

After 2 days of jotting notes in a notebook, the plan was almost complete. Today was game day and the big secret was in the house. Burt and I were locked in our bedroom all afternoon, girls' orders. We could hear the girls cleaning and excuting their big plan. At 5:30 we had strict orders to leave the house, They had called Uncle Adam to come over and watch them. We had to be dressed up in "romantic clothes" and be back at 6:30 on the dot, "not early, nor late." Apparently Burt didn't pass the dress code because he had to change clothes, ha!!! We did as we were told and left, Adam was there beginning to cook super (one of his 2 assignments, the other was to go to the store and get the stuff)!

At 6:30, we arrived. The girls met us at the door dressed in their Sunday best ready to serve. Emma led Burt down one staircase and Eva Grace led me down another staircase to the basement where they had prepared an awesome candlelight, romantic dinner for 2. The table was set with white table linens and our best china. The chairs had also been draped in white linens and tied with hand sewn (Emma) ties to make them look elegant.

"Romantic" music was playing softly in the background as they each led us to our chairs. Spagetti and french bread was their meal of choice, which they helped Uncle Adam prepare. Ella asked us if we would like any and then dished it on our plates :)

Then the 3 of them went upstairs so we could, "have romantic talk and eat our food." It was one of the most romantic dinners I've ever had, the most thoughtful, hands down!

After our entrees, they proudly came down with our dessert, a hot brownie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream drizzled with Hershey's syrup. It was delicious.

The evening only got better. Next to the dining area was a dance floor where they had set up for us to have a "romantic dance" to our song, Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton. They got access to all of these songs from Burt's phone (pretty smart!!). They had flashlights that they waved around to look like strobe lights as we danced. (The pictures look light due to the flash but it was dark).

The girls wanted to jump in so they changed the speed from slow to fast and we all got down!!!

We ended the night by watching our wedding video from 12 years ago. The girls loved it. (Burt and I made fun of ourselves throughout the tape, but the girls thought I was a princess :) They are such romantics at heart.

Tonight was one for the memory books. I don't have to write anything down because it will be engraved on my heart. So much thought went into every detail they did. I am so proud of each of them for going to so much trouble for us.  Here are some of Emma's planning notes.

The song list...

To do list...

The seating arrangement...

The menu...

This Anniversary was unexpectidly one of the best ever! We have been very blessed over the past 12 years and have 3 of the most thoughtful girls on the planet.

Wheels and Hills

"Wheels"- (pronounced Wheeils) The hills that make you lose your stomach a little when you drive up and down them. You put your hands up and yell, "Weeeeeeeeeee......"

"Hills"- Just raised areas of the road that you drive up and down.

Ella Ruth
4 years old
She shared this knowledge with us as we were driving to Granddads.

My sweet note from Ella

Handwritten from Ella, "Mamma, your da best mamma everw. I tink you'wa da best. Love, Ella"

(I had her read it to me just to make sure I got it exactly right)!