Wait!

It's happening too fast. Y'all said it would, and now it's been 3 months since I added anything to the blog. But there is a good reason...right now, even as I attempt to update the blog, there is a 3-year old rolling her shopping cart into the living room,  pleading with me to "go to Publix." And that's what is important right now, right? So off "shopping" I go!

(elapsed time 3 hours)


Okay, so we've played grocery shopping (a long-time favorite around here), made pumpkin crafts, cleaned Mary Ellen's room, trimmed the hedges and put up some outdoor and indoor Halloween decorations. Whew. Now where was I?

Anyway, apologies for having been absent, but here's a sampling of what we've been up to. 

Mary Ellen and Jenson got to spend some quality time during our trip to the Midwest in August. This was the first time they actually got along on a consistent basis. Well, except for Jenson's idea that "Mary can go home."

Our first opportunity for matching outfits on cousins. This won't be the last.

We got to connect with extended family while in Iowa. Lots of cuties!

Nana showed the kids where the tall corn grows.

Jenson and Mary Ellen got to run farther than they ever thought possible.

We went to a Cardinal game with Rex (and the rest of the family sans Daddy and Papa).

Brian got a new job that sent him across the county to San Fransisco for a week. Add that to our "must see" list.

Mary Ellen started preschool. She's going 3 mornings a week and absolutely loves it. Except when it's time to leave the house. Transitions are our arch enemy right now. Here's her on the first day of school.

Mama and Mary on the first day of school.

Mary Ellen started taking dance classes. It really doesn't get much cuter than this.

Making apple dumplings at Nana's.

Back to St. Louis for Apple Festival weekend. Mary Ellen developed a knack for making horrible faces for photos.

Rex spent a few nights at Nana's with us. The boy is something else. So smiley. So stinking cute. And Mary learned a little bit about taking care of babies. So fun!

3...It's a Magic Number

Mary Ellen really is magic...or at least she thinks she is. I love this age. Everything is so simple in her mind. It's black and white (and pink). Do we have our battles? Of course (especially when it comes to napping). Is she stubborn? Absolutely. Particular? You bet.

But Mary Ellen is also incredibly lively, bright, and funny (so she tells us often, "I say funny things sometimes"). She has curly locks of hair that refuse to be tamed. She loves to go to the playground,  swim, and pick up rocks. She surprises us with the way she connects things in life - her mind is amazing to me. She loves to be read to. She loves to collect things in bags and carry them around the house. We play restaurant almost every day, and she's always the "worker." She's obsessed with coins and money (tuppence). She loves to play video games with Brian, and she even mans her own controller. She's a homebody, but loves to go to the Science Center, Amaya Papaya, and the gym. She doesn't like to run errands, but she can be amazingly patient.

She helps me in the kitchen and is getting really good at it. Mostly she loves eating the vegetables while she "helps" me make salads.

Her number one concern in life is what color people like and which color they will get.

And of course, there are the Princesses. What would life be like without them?

Her third birthday was perfectly simple. We were able to celebrate with half of the family in St. Louis at the beginning of the month. And we had a small party with a few friends at Willow Tree, which was her choice. On her big day, we made homemade ice cream and a little chocolate cake.

Birthday celebration #1 at Grammy Anne and Grandpa Tom's. Great party with the Flemings!

Those eyes.

All ready for her birthday celebration at "polka music."

The kitty cupcakes were a hit, as was her FABULOUS birthday hat.

Love our family of 3.

The number 1 thing on her birthday wish list: a Princess fold-out couch. She was not disappointed.

School's Out for Summer!

School's out! Mary Ellen attended preschool 2 mornings a week this year and it was such an amazing year. Our dear friend Sharon (aka Mrs. Rosenfeld) was one of her teachers and I can't think of anyone that I would rather her have spent the past year with. She's grown so much!

Water Day fun with her little friends.

Mother's Day "performance."

First Day of School

Last Day of School

Happy Easter Day!

Hunting for eggs was so much fun this year. We had two egg hunts - one with a group of "storytime" friends and the other in our neighborhood. It didn't take long for Mary Ellen to the get the hang of it this year.

The Bunny came!

Easter Dress!

Making a Bunny House with Mommy

I just love this face.

Dyeing Easter Eggs with Daddy

Nana and Papa!

So forget that it's been several months since the last post. These pics from Mom and Dad's last visit had to be shared.

We visited Blue Springs State Park to see the manatees. I think Mary Ellen was a little disappointed by how slow and quiet they were. But still, it was a very unique experience.

 Mary Ellen LOVES her Nana and Papa!

 That's right. We took her to the Magic Kingdom. Her world will never be the same.

 Brave Nana took Mary Ellen on the Merry-Go-Round.

I'm not sure who's having more fun on Dumbo.

 Not our best family pic, but this was taken right about nap time (or what should have been nap time).

Mary Ellen enjoyed the outside of the Winnie the Pooh ride much more than the ride itself. In her defense, it was pretty intense and scary for a Winnie the Pooh-themed ride.

She got to meet the big man himself. The Disney gods were smiling on us that day!