Ella Grace -January 2013

Ella is 3 years and 4 months. She's a doll in every sense of the word, she's stubborn, smarter than a whip, independent, sweet, sassy, clumsy and HILARIOUS. Some of this she totally gets from her dad, some of it from me, no doubt. Every night before we go to bed, Dan and I usually look at each other and laugh from her antics through the day. Here are some examples: Last night we were sitting at the dinner table (Ella, we have to yell at you 2034849 times during dinner to sit down because you are ALWAYS getting up). We were counting marbles while we ate. After counting them a few times, I said, count them in Spanish. Dad looked at me like "yeah right." For the record, I've NEVER asked you to do this before. Without skipping a beat, you counted up to eight (ocho) in Spanish. I had to pick Dad's chin off of the kitchen table. He could.not.believe it. The night before you wouldn't lay down. (Ella, we have to yell at you 240482123 times to lay down and go to bed because you are ALWAYS getting up, sensing a pattern?!). We figured out that if we tap the ceiling below your room with a broomstick, you lay down because you get "scared" of the noise. Here was the conversation we had after I tapped your ceiling: Ella: Mom, what's that bam bam baming Me: It's Jesus telling you to lay down. Ella: That bam bam baming is? Me: Yes, we need to listen and obey Jesus and your Mom. GO LAY DOWN. Ella: OK Fine, but I like the bam baming. A parenting failure, I know. The morning after you said, "Hey Mommy, Jesus is so funny last night he was like 'Hey Ella, go to sleep.'" (you said this in a real high pitched squeaky voice.) Last night, I tapped outside of your room and you peaked your head outside of your room and said, "Mom, that wasn't Jesus, that was the boys next door." (???!!!) After Daddy tapped on the ceiling, you peaked your head out and said, "Mom, that wasn't Jesus, that was Daddy." I said, nope, Daddy's in our room, and you replied, "OK Jesus, I hear you." One New Year's Resolution has been to spend individual time with you "learning" stuff. Sometimes it gets tossed aside with the hustle and bustle of playing with Briggs, etc... So, after Briggsy went to sleep, we got out these place mats that have clocks, presidents, maps, etc... on them. First, we go through the Presidents. You love learning about the Presidents. You know George Washington, President Bush and his son President George W. Bush. You say that Abraham Lincoln was the greatest president- ever! And, when we get to President Obama, you say, we don't like him but we respect him (proud mommy moment). After we were done with the Presidents, I showed you a picture of the US and I asked where we live and you said, "America!" You amaze me everyday. How in the world you know that, I have no idea. When I asked who lived in Washington D.C. you said "We respect him." Again, NO idea how you know that the president lives in Washington D.C. Speaking of the president, last week Grammy & Papa were watching you and President Obama came on. Boppa was over there and when President Obama came on and Papa & Boppa were yelling at the TV, you went over to Boppa finger pointed and said, "Respect him Boppa." Grammy said she was crying from laughing so hard! Another Ella funny: last week I was changing my clothes into my pajamas and you said, MOM! You're bun naked." (You were replacing butt, because we don't say that word, with bun, and it was hilarious!) I've been into a baking phase, baking cupcakes and cookies galore. One day we were starting to bake cookies (you often help me), and you looked up and said, "Mom, we need to get our bras on." I about fell over. I asked you to repeat it, and you said, "I need my bra so I don't get dirty!" That's when I realized you MEANT aprons! How hilarious! Some other notes about you right now: You ALWAYS have a crayon in your hand. you LOVE coloring and are drawing some fabulous pictures right now! You and Daddy color all day long on your "Daddy days" and you couldn't be happier about it. (Mommy on the other hand picks up crayons all day long, but it's okay as long as you're happy)! You are sporting a 'tude lately. We have to remind you all of the time to drop the attitude. You say, "I don't WANNA go to bed" and then you cross your arms and pout. Or NO, I'm NOT going to bed! Sometimes Dad and I have to turn our heads to chuckle because you're so funny, other times, we want to bang our heads against the wall :) Last night out of the blue, you said "You're the greatest Mommy ever." Melt.My.Heart. That makes every tear, every sleepless night, every whine, every worry, every frustration worth it. I love you Ella!! Still can't believe God gave me a gift like you!! Next up is Briggs.....