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!

Best Santa Picture. Ever.

Christmas Time Is Here

The first Saturday in December is hands-down one of my favorite days of the year. Our family's Christmas kickoff day starts with a parade and ends with a decorated Christmas tree. Fun, eh?

 

Motorcycles are loud!

I think this delighted face was caused by about 100 dogs walking in the parade.

Santa! Mary Ellen was not excited about seeing the big man this year. In fact, she was fully against it. But when he drove past in the parade, waved and pointed right to her, she seemed to change her tune a bit.

Happy Day!

Helping to choose the right tree.

Setting up the nativity.

Mary Ellen loved helping to hang the ornaments this year. She loved that fluffy snowman!

My Big Girl (and her big girl underpants)

One of the biggest steps in toddler-hood is nearly behind us.

I can't believe how big my girl is getting. We had been dabbling in the idea of potty training since last spring. We had a little potty for a while and Mary Ellen had some successes this summer, but over the last two months, we've nearly gotten the job done. She only wears pull-ups now for sleeping and has taken successful trips to the Science Center and to a Magic game in big girl pants! Aren't we brave?

There's not a whole lot to say about this except that I am incredibly proud of how we've all handled this transition, and I think it speaks volumes about Mary Ellen's personality. We didn't have to do any bribing. We didn't do much arguing. I followed her lead, and we got the job done. And I should thank the good people at Target for stocking Minnie Mouse and Hello Kitty underpants. That helped.

Now here are some pics (unrelated to potty training) including some from our Oct trip to St. Louis. I know that's what you all want to see.

 

Mary Ellen shows of a dalmatian that she made at school. Each day after school, we stop and take a picture of her holding whatever project she made. Hopefully at the end of the year we'll have a nice collection of photos, and I don't feel too guilty about not keeping each and every piece of art that she makes.

 Jenson and Mary at the Missouri Botanical Gardens.

 Daddy's little girl.

 Love that Grammy Anne!

 Four generations.

One of my favorite pictures ever, taken in Mom and Dad's backyard.

 

 

Spider Cookies! They were Mary Ellen's idea when it was her turn to bring for snack at school.

 Trick or Treating at Daddy's work.

 One of Mary Ellen's first friends, Elise.

 Trick or Treat!