What Happened? My baby is almost three years old!

Can you believe how fast time has gone? Elli will be three in a week (Nov. 15th) and all I can think is "thank goodness for digital cameras!" I look back on her baby pictures and hardly recognize her. I have been looking on friend's blogs too and can't believe how much their kids have grown up. Time just goes by so fast!

Well, Elli has decided that she wants a Mickey Mouse party. Not Minnie, mind you, Mickey! She has invited a few little girls from church and since there is not a chuck-e-cheese around here, I've decided to take them all to the local Carl's Jr - it has an enormous indoor playland! Which means I don't have to cook or clean. We bought some decorations and will fill some balloons before hand. But this is going to be the easiest 3-year old birthday party ever. And really, who am I trying to impress? Some parents just go crazy over this sort of thing. Besides, Elli couldn't be happier, that's what is important. We will take lots of pictures and post them later.

Oh, and since her favorite color is dark blue (yes, she's that specific!), she has asked for blue plates, cups and silverware. As well as blue cupcakes with dark blue frosting. We've basically figured out if there are ever two choices of what she could want - she will always prefer the blue thing! It cracks me up.

I've been keeping track of her "I wants" for a few months now and have to say, she has a very cute wish list: a jump rope, a store that sells rainbows, a real rocket (like on Little Einsteins), anything to do with the movie Cars, and dress-up stuff. Now, the dress-up stuff is a little different than you might guess. She really couldn't care less about the princess scene (not that it's bad, it's just not what interests her right now). She wants a doctor kit, a police officer outfit - this is VERY big in her little world right now, a firefighter costume, and "mommy stuff" like food, dishes, baby accessories, etc. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure most of this is based on my biased opinion, but I'm proud of her for choosing to make believe positive, productive role models. As for the store that sells rainbows - it's going to take some work to wrap that one! She also says she wants just about any commercial item that has Dora or Diego on it - they are her heros.

I've been trying to keep track of the things that she does lately when she wants to copy Ruston. She will say, "I'm going to change my clothes in the dining room - just like daddy" or I'm not going to hold the railing when I go downstairs - just like daddy" (that was quickly corrected by both parties). Then there's my personal favorite, "I'm going to pee outside - just like daddy". Okay, so we live on 11 acres with no neighbors anywhere close, but I had to put my foot down on that one! She also informed me one day that she was going to eat breakfast standing up in the kitchen "just like grandma does". Here I was afraid to send her to nursery or preschool in case she picks up any bad habits/manners - I guess she's not any safer at home. Oh well, I try!

Life goes on! Ruston's work is still a little slow right now, but due to recent changes in the office, we think things should start picking up pretty soon. He has started an incentive program to get everyone to work harder and I think it's going to work great.

Addison is still tiny and cute. She is starting to undertand us now and that makes talking to her fun. She is a wonderful baby.

Have a great week! I'll post again after Elli's party.