You're almost 3!

Here's what I'll remember most about when you were almost three: Your little voice saying, "You be Drizella and I'll be Anastasia" (Cinderella's stepsisters). OR, "You be Ariel and I'll be Ursula" (of The Little Mermaid) or some form of prince/princess/fairytale makebelieve. The way you are full of energy from the moment you open your eyes in the morning! How much you're beginning to love school at Little Sprouts (I have a hunch it has to do with socializing.) You've made some good friends there and you all love playing princess and mommy/daughter together. Every day you come home reporting that you picked and ate fresh tomatoes or strawberries and when we pick you up you're so excited to show us what's in your work folder (usually the "letter of the day" with your bright scribbles all over it.) You like to use Miss Natalie's old fashioned coffee grinder to grind coffee for mommy and you proudly bring home baggies of it for me to brew. I think one of your love languages is gift giving as you're always leaving little treats for people. For instance, I came home the other day and found 2 M&M's placed strategically on the door mat and I knew you'd left them there for your dad and I. Mine was green because you know that's my favorite color. You also love to leave special rocks, sticks and leaves for us. You continue to adjust to having baby brother around, always wanting to see him first thing in the morning and share a toy with him. Lately, in our pretend play you've designated him either "Aurora" (Sleeping Beauty) or "Ogre Baby" (Shrek-style). He just smiles and seems to play along. You seem to be really interested in humor lately, often saying silly things and laughing hysterically. Also, you've been using attaching the word "poop" to as many words as you can. You love pretending to have birthday parties and plan surprises. The other day, you told me to come into the bathroom and close my eyes. Then, you lifted the lid of your potty seat and proudly yelled, "SURPRISE!" I'll spare you the details of what I saw. Needless to say, you can get excited about pretty much anything. We've been going to lots of birthday parties lately. I try to plan outings for us on my days off work -- The zoo (a goose bit you during our picnic lunch - you were very brave and we giggled about it later), Deanna Rose Farmstead, Old Shawnee Days parade, park visits, etc. You love going for 'round-the-block walks with Daddy and I in the evenings (you and jalen ride in the double stroller.) In fact, anything you get to do with your Dad is special. He savors his time with you, especially during baseball season. Perhaps your favorite thing lately is to sit in the driver's seat of the car and pretend to be the mommy while i sit in the passenger seat and feed your brother. (I usually play the part of "big sister" but the roles change constantly.) My favorite thing is still dancing with you to Neil Diamond, "Forever in Blue Jeans" in our "twirly dresses." One very special memory was taking you to Marysville for Memorial Day. That's always been a tradition in my family, and I'm so grateful to be able to pass it on to you and baby brother. You're definitely just learning about life - how much to test the boundaries, how to socialize, how much you want to fit in and how much you want to be your own unique self, etc. We savor our moments with you and I pray that you'll take your own sweet time growing up. Each day I have to lay down my desire to "control" what happens in your life and put it all in the hands of our loving God. There are no better hands to be in! We love you, precious girl.