Tag - You're It!

Happy Wednesday! I learned of this story from another blog, but   THIS.  IS.  AWESOME!  What a cool way to stay in touch with friends from high school or college or just people you don't get to see very often.  :) 

Preschool PJ Day

Ella's preschool this past week had a PJ day.  Ella had a fun time and thought it was super cool to wear PJs to school!  A few pictures courtesy of Mrs. Mills!

 Ella talks about this yellow fish ALL the time.  She loves it!

Racing trikes with friends :)

Things I love right now

Hi!  It's been a while huh?  I'm lacking on stuff to tell you about.  But, here is a random few things I love right now!

- Pitch Perfect the movie.  OMG
- Thrift Shop the song.  "That's a cold a** honkey"  HAHAHA Is that your Grandma's coat?  I'm gonna take your Grandpa's style...  I found a broken keyboard, I bought a broken keyboard...
- Starbucks Chocolate Cinnamon Bread, which I knocked off and made at home - genius.  AND delicious!
- Downton Abbey the show on PBS.  I want to wear the gowns!  I love Granny.  And if you watched last night - W.O.W.
- Listening to Ms. Ella sing Taylor Swift's "We are Never Getting Back Together"  She rocks it!

Other funny things:
- Ella lately started saying "Just kidding"  after some silly statement she thinks up.  Ha, except even more hilarious (to me) the other night at dinner we're sitting at the table and I was telling something (can't remember) to Jay, and after I was finished, Ella turns to me and says "Mommy, are you kidding me?"  O.M.G.  We laughed forever.  It was awesome.

An important milestone: (knock on wood):  Ella has graduated from "Dora pants" to big girl underwear all the time now!  Three nights in a row with success.  Hurray!  Ella & I made a trip to the mall and she chose a Sophia the First doll (the new Disney Jr. princess)  as her celebratory prize.  Good for her.  We're so happy!  And, she insisted that I snap her picture yesterday morning with Sophia (don't mind the crazy hair):

A good message from LiveSTRONG

Clearly, all of us LiveSTRONG supporters are saddened by the news Lance Armstrong recently shared.  It's unfortunate for LiveSTRONG, as it shouldn't damper the spirit of the organization that does so much for so many people.  That little yellow bracelet was my lifesaver and my reminder of the strength each of us possesses as Jay was going through treatment, and I continue to wear it proudly, in support of all those fighting today. I will continue to support LiveSTRONG and we hope you will too!  Lance Armstrong made a gigantic error, but that doesn't change his fight to beat cancer and his drive to make LiveSTRONG the amazing organization it is today.

Sesame Street Live! 2013

Hi, I'm back and have just done a marathon of post updates, just getting caught up.  It's been a hectic and stressful beginning to 2013 for the Abbas household.  After the passing of my Grandma, still dealing with that and then Jolyn (Jay's mom) was hospitalized on the 2nd.  She is out of the hospital now but dealing with some health issues that need to be resolved.  As you know, she's our child care.  So, it's been a juggling act.  Jay & I have been switching off working from home, and we hope to have a plan in place starting next week with a new place for Ella and hoping that Jolyn will be coming back a day or two a week in a few weeks.  I know Ms. Ella misses her and we do too!  But, the most important thing is for her to get healthy and feeling better!  Prayers and well wishes headed her way.

In other happenings, not much really. It's been such a whirlwind.  But, part of Ella's Christmas gift from us included tickets to Sesame Street Live - Elmo Can't Stop Singing.  The big event was Saturday morning.  Just add to my stress since it was declared a flu epidemic on Friday night evening news.  Thanks.  Appreciate that news as we head into a theater of germs.  But, I think we fared okay.  Hand sanitizer aplenty!  Anyway, Ella was ADORABLE!  She was SO excited and has been counting down since Christmas.  We've had to watch the 30 second promo online dozens of times.  She couldn't wait.  And, her excitement wore off on me!  I was excited too!  I've never been - and who doesn't love Sesame Street?!?

 Isn't she adorable!  The look of amazement - Murray was just coming out! 

(and then proceeded to sing "If You're Happy and You Know It!" - Ella's favorite!)

 Here comes Zoe, Cookie Monster, Burt & Ernie!! (side note: Jay gave Cookie Monster a high five!)

 dancing in Zoe's dance studio!

HA - I love this one! Squinty eyes & all.  :)

The many faces of a 3 1/2 year old

HA!  More Sesame Street Live pictures to follow!

Christmas Wrap-up PART 2 (pictures only)