Three!!!

Dear Ella,

It seems like just yesterday you came into our lives, and at the same time I can't believe how much you've grown in just three short years. You've made us smile everyday! In fact, we often joke that if you weren't so darn cute and funny, you probably wouldn't last around here ;)

You just have such a strong will and determination, just like mommy, and sometimes you can get in quite the power struggles with us, but just when we're ready to ship you out you say or do something to just crack us up! [We'd never really ship you out by the way, it's just a saying]

You're the smartest little cookie in the jar! We can't pull anything over on you, and you always seem to find the "loop hole" in order to get what you want. You impress us daily with your logic and understanding. You can recognize your written name, and a few other words. You can spell your name and are starting to recognize the other letters in the alphabet as well. You are always impressing adults with your conversational skills. You are definitely a chatterbox, and your little voice is the cutest little thing! You are such a kind and loving little lady, and this has only been made more clear with the arrival of your baby brother. You always want to be right by him, hugging and kissing him. You love helping with him inany way you can. You are always asking me to take your picture with him. We just love how nurturing you are.

You are still very much into princesses, dresses, tutus, sparkly shoes (particularly your red sparkly shoes), barbies, dolls, and everything girly! You asked for a kitchen, and a vacuum for Christmas and have been very into those ever since. Your favorite color is red, which you won't let anyone else like (including your daddy who has always liked red). You love to go on adventures with Gacy, and always come home with the most interesting things (ghetto kites and fishing poles made with sticks and string), and you always have lots of stories to share! You love playing outside, and will drop everything at the chance to go out and play.You love water, and the beach. You are a great little dancer and singer, and will perform (on your own terms).

You are beautiful, don't ever think otherwise! We love you more than words could explain, and there are so many people who feel the same way! You are just the most precious little ball of energy. There is a part of me that gets sad to see you grow farther away from my tiny little baby but you are becoming such an incredible little girl and I can't even begin to imagine what this next year will bring.

On your actual birthday we went to chuck E cheese's

You had a blast playing games and riding all the little rides. You ate just about THREE pieces of pizza! You won (with our help) 370 tickets, and out of all the cool prizes to choose from you picked this tiny little spider man :)

[I will post about your ballerina party a little later]

Happy birthday my little lady <3

just a few little quotes from the past couple days that I didn't want to forget:

While getting ready to leave Gacy's house the other night;

"I'm taking these oranges to my house, can I have a bag please?"

Opening a card with money inside;

mommy: "Wow! What are you going to buy?"

ella: "toys for my friends"

mommy: "that's so sweet!"

ella: "yeah, I'm gonna buy Cole a choo-choo train cause he doesn't have one"

Opening a gift from grammie and gacy (despicable me DVD);

"This is my favorite movie I ever watched!"

Opening a gift from us (Ponyo DVD);

"Ponyo!!! I wanted this for soooo long!"