Bye Tonto Friends

Our dear Tonto Trail friends moved to West Virginia last week. We have lots of memories with Landon, Keeley and Liam.  They will be missed.

Bye Bye Kindergarten

I swear it was only yesterday that Graham, Dylan and I walked Ellison to her first day of Kindergarten. It's hard to believe that the first and last day of her Kindergarten year have come and gone. We now have a First Grader!  

I couldn't be more proud of my little girl. She received smiley faces from her Teacher on each and every day on her school calendar. At our last parent teach conference, the teacher stated she was the "quintessential" kindergarterner, kind to all of her friends, well behaved, and excelled in school. 

We are certain that moving to Dommerich was the best choice for our family. We love our Dommerich family. This is Ellison showing off our family flag at the school picnic.

Ellison's first field day reminded me of my days at Lakemont. 

End of the year party!

Our sweet neighbor is on an adventure to his new home in West Virginia.  Ellison will miss her classmate, friend, and neighbor, Landon.

At the end of the year Writing Celebration, I received a bag full of Ellison's work throughout the year.  

Mothers Day

1. I am glad that Ellison knows how much I love to play with her and Dylan.
2. I am so glad that we actually play the card game, "Old Maid", and she does not consider me an old maid. 

I had a lovely Mother's Day celebration that started early with Nana Nancy and continued through this past weekend with Grandma Charlene.

Beach Day Fun

 Have I mentioned that I love NSB? We gladly loaded up the Tahoe and headed to the beach this weekend for a fun day with my sisters and their families.  As an added bonus, our friends (Dylan's girlfriend specifically) joined us in the afternoon for boogie boarding and JBs.  Can life get any better?

She can't swim in the pool, but she can dance!

Ellison and her friend, Paige, had a great time in the water together.

Attempt at group shot (Olivia was napping).

Gotta keep an eye on these two. Seriously!

Dylan and Parker have a blast together - its pretty cute.

Earth Day Fun

We braved the rain and headed to Winter Park's Earth Day celebration a few weeks ago.  Ellison and Dylan were very excited to join Ms. Rosie on school to accept a green grant for All Saints School.  Fun activities followed including planting a tree, fniding an earth worm, and tie-dying shirts.  Fun (and wet) morning!

My Bright Light

 There are a few stories that I always come back to when I think about Ellison and her arrival into this world. (I won't go into them once again :) )  As we say goodbye to being 5 and hello to the age of 6, I can't tell you how proud I am to be Ellison's mom.  She is a wonderful daughter, sister, and friend.  She is compassionate and loving. She is one of the most creative children seeing beauty in everything.  She is a bright light that shines from within.

I should have known from the beginning of her awesomeness.  A few photos from her first year (could not help myself) followed by tidbits on her year as a 5 year old:

Ellison had a big year as a five year old!  

Milestones:

• Graduation from Pre-K
• Starting Kindergarten
• Losing First Tooth
• Starting Gymnastics and Soccer
• Being the Best Big Sister

Loves:

• Her Family.
• Fashion.
• Barbies and Squinkies.
• Building and designing.
• Subway Turkey Sub with pickles, Tijuana Flat Tacos, Panera Mac & Cheese.
• Dancing, music, having fun with friends.

Dislikes:

• Lizards.

A few photos from the year:

Pre-K Graduation

Kindergarten

First Tooth - bye, bye

Soccer

Aunt Ashley's Wedding - 6th Flower Girl Gig

Fashionista Extraordinaire

Gymnastics

Brother Love

Builder

Birthday Fun!

 We had a fabulous party at Sassafras this weekend to celebrate Ellison turning 6!  Games were played  involving sugar, candy was consumed, cupcakes were decorated, and giggles were plentiful. Hands down the best conversation of the afternoon - "what if we were made of candy?"

Pixie stick competition. 

End of the party - sugar overload pose.