3

skyping with Grandma Susan & Auntie Jess while opening presents from them

loving the new shopping cart!

yep. one happy girl.

bring on the cupcakes!

the scene

cherry cupcakes with heart jelly beans (=

enjoying the cupcakes with friends

dishing them up

present time!

our friends Tim & Beth

friends Mindy & Larissa with their kids

diggin the new hair clippies

reading a card from friends Noah & Johanna

playing around

impressed with the pink Duplos!

common!  just one pic you 2!?!

thanks for the nice clothes Auntie Ericka & Uncle Ryan

yay!  stickers from G & G Telenga!

dressing up like a ballerina

ballerina slippers from Mom & Dad

those beautiful brown eyes

Princess Ellie

Our little Ellie has grown into quite the little girl now that she is 3 and is an official preschooler!  She has this way of making us savor and love life more...with her slower pace, all her smiles 'n giggles, graceful twirls, and wonder at the new things coming alive all around her.  Today I told her I loved her and her reply was, "I love you to the milkiest waves...the galaxy rangers!"  {Translation:  to the ends of the Milky Way Galaxy.  Galaxy Rangers is a movie Joel likes...so of course she likes it too lol} She doesn't seem to be very shy and I often wish during the quiet times in church that I could locate her mute button!  She is a joy and a cutie pie!  That is, when she isn't going through the typical tantrums and screaming at the top of her lungs when her brother looks like he might think of touching one of her toys!  She loves the water (even if it's cool).  I think swimming lessons will be good for her this year.  She is doing good with potty training, but it is a process.  No accidents as long as I take her (kicking and screaming many times...where does this stubborn streak come from I wonder?!) to the potty every 3 hours or so.  Eventually it's gotta click and she'll start telling me when she has to go or just start going on her own.  She is doing pretty good at nights too...50% of the time she wakes up dry.  We'll get there!  She is curious about everything I do in the bathroom and often asks for a dab of whatever makeup I'm putting on, to have her nails painted, or some lip balm.  It's adorable how proud she is of her own unique beauty...I hope she always has that pride in how wonderful God made her.  Now that she's 3, she has graduated to 3/4 year old Sunday school (called Super Lights at our church).  She's ready for the new challenge and seems to enjoy it.  She still loves to come and sit in my lap and see what I'm up to on the computer daily.  And ask for a drink of my tea.  I love these little everyday moments.  It is so fabulous having a daughter! 

Interview on her favorites at age 3
Color:  Pink (and purple is another favorite)
Animal: Dog (as long as they don't lick me!)
Snack:  Goldfish crackers
Ice Cream:  Phish Food (Ben & Jerry's) 
Treat:  Gummies
Thing to do with Joel:  Snuggle parties & building
Book:  look at her photo albums
Music:  TobyMac
Songs to sing:  "Cubbie Song" from Awanas and "Jesus Loves the Little Children"
Thing to wear:  dog shirts
Game:  potato bowling