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.
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| Birthday celebration #1 at Grammy Anne and Grandpa Tom's. Great party with the Flemings! |
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| Those eyes. |
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| All ready for her birthday celebration at "polka music." |
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| The kitty cupcakes were a hit, as was her FABULOUS birthday hat. |
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| Love our family of 3. |
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| The number 1 thing on her birthday wish list: a Princess fold-out couch. She was not disappointed. |