new beginnings...again

this past thursday, our precious ella started kindergarten...again.

if you look back to almost exactly one year ago, ella started k-5 with a bang. everything was going swimmingly...until it wasn't. that wasn't part attacked my heart and soul...and after lots of prayerful consideration, we made the radical decision to pull her out. it wasn't that she couldn't keep up with the academics part (although she had minimal confidence in math)...it was that she didn't seem happy. our once very spirited girl became sad and withdrawn...and we knew something drastic needed to happen.

so many things had changed in her little life. mostly positive things...but nonetheless, BIG things. a move, being the "new kid on the block...again", a daddy that works out of town, a new baby being born, etc...

after lots of heartfelt conversations with many friends, family, and even some strangers...we made the decision that we would "let her be little" for a while longer and let her start fresh this year.

so far, so good. she has mrs. hight, she is loving her new uniform and wants to wear it every day which is a good thing...since she has to!, knows some familiar faces this year, and has another year of maturity under her belt to fortify her.

who knows what next year will bring, but for now, we're just happy that our ella is back in full force...ready to take on the world! she is doing so well with her reading...able to sound out just about every word...and recognizing almost all of her sight words...

has the most artistic imagination...

loves to make concoctions (the latest involving lots of toothpaste and mouthwash)...

and is the best big sister any parent could ask for.

we are just as proud of her during this "new beginning" as we were last year...hopefully at least, a wee bit wiser...

and willing to take whatever comes our way...no matter what that may be!