33 Months...Potty trained-scary, isn't it?

I really am potty trained! I just decided to do it one day. I have some awesome Dora big girl underwear and am almost done with all my marshmallow and sucker treats! I also had a lot of funny trick-or-treating as a pink poodle puppy. We had a fun party and parade at school and I kept wanted to march after everyone else was finished. We went to Miss Annie and Mr. Kenny's house first, and then on to Nana Arden and Papa Rodney's. I wasn't so sure about trick or treating at first, but after my first house in the neighborhood, I couldn't wait to go to the next house! I didn't get tired and hungry though, so it ended in a fit and biting daddy. Next year will be even better! I was so excited when I picked out my first piece of candy: "The M&M I picked out had an "E" on it!" I have learned to ride my tricyle very well in the house. I have been saying some really funny things too. I asked Daddy why there was a dead raccoon in the road and he said it is a wild animal that ran into the street and got it. A few minutes later, I said, "There's a sidewalk!" (for the raccoon to use, of course!) I have been singing the "American Family Insurance" jingle as well. I don't think Papa Ron would be too happy though. I have my first imaginary friend, "Jungle Pete!" I like to pretend he is with me a lot of times. I also said, "Gosh dangit!" really loud when I forgot to click a pen open. I drew on the wall at home with a dry erase marker-oops! When mommy picked me up at pre-school one day, I told her I wanted to stay outside and play instead of going inside with her like I usually do. I ran after her because I changed my mind, and held my breathe so long I passed out! Good thing mommy figured out I was coming because she caught me just in time. They thought I was over that! This past week was really, really busy. I went to a restaurant and hotel with mommy and daddy one night because mommy had a conference. The next day I was waiting in the lobby for mommy and was very nice to everyone, saying, "Hi! I'm waiting for my mommy!" Daddy brought me back home while mommy stayed for a few days. Daddy said I was really, really good for him! After mommy came back, she and daddy had to work one night so I got to stay with Nana Arden. Mommy had to work the next night too, but then we got to spend Friday together. Just like at preschool, mommy made popcorn for "Popcorn Friday". I ate it so fast, I said I was "going to town on that popcorn!" Finally, mommy took me to the baptism for Ian. It was a special day for him, and mommy was his godmother. It was a fun weekend, but it was nice to come home to daddy. I am 2 3/4 years old!Ready for Church Fixing mommy's hair Jumping in the leaves Mother-daughter moment Daddy found a leaf monster Helping rake leaves Up in the air! Peaceful dreamer Studious child Happy Halloween! (I even napped with these glasses on!) Enjoying the party food Me and my best friend Trey Happy doggie Marching in the Halloween parade-hey, where are the other kids? Marching with my teacher Miss Kristina With Miss Annie Trick or treat! With Nana Arden and Papa Rodney Restitution for damages Big girl at the hotel Pumpkin pie tasting The whole gang at Ian's baptism
Trick or treat!

The Ellie Dance

Reading the phone book

32 Months...full of family fun and illness!

The first week this month was so much fun! Mommy was gone the first weekend, and I got to spend lots of time playing with Daddy! I said lots of funny things that weekend. After I tooted, daddy said, "What do you say?" and I responded, "It stinks in here!" I love to sing and dance and have mommy and daddy clap when I am finished. We went to the library to watch the Doggie Drill Team, and the doggies actually danced! The next night, we went to Family Fun Fest downtown and I got my face painted for the first time (a butterfly). I went to mommy's school's Family Fun Night the next night and got another butterfly painted on my other cheek! I had lots of fun playing games too. The next night was my pre-school's potluck dinner. Since daddy had to work, Nana Arden came with Mommy! It was nice to have them there to meet some of my friends. That Saturday, we went to a Farm festival and I got to go on a tractor ride, pet a sheep, and do a hay bale maze! Unfortunately, after all that fun, the whole family got really sick. I stayed home for 3 days-one with daddy, one with Nana Arden, and one with Mommy, and went to the doctor. It was just a virus, and I got my flu shot. I did great, but didn't understand if I had to get another one. I was really cranky and whiney at preschool the next week, saying I didn't want to go and making a big fuss. Maybe it was because I was home all that time, maybe I was still sick, or maybe I just realized that preschool was a permanant thing, but good thing I am back to normal now! We had Pastries for Parents at pre-school this week and mommy and daddy both came and ate with me! Then, today, we went to the zoo with Kristy, Randy, and Anthony! I got to see elephants and alligators and ride the carousel! It was a lot of fun! 1st face painting1st and 2nd face painting Mickey Mouse pancake by Mommy! Sleeping off the sickness with daddy Cute braids that Miss Carissa does at pre-school Is this frog my prince? Fun after the carousel Big girl on the carousel With daddy on the carousel Me and Anthony hanging out on the frogs Cheesing on the frog Hand in hand, so sweet! Brushing the goat Much better experience than the last one with goats! Watching the hippos! Looking at the turtles, like Franklin! Putting mommy and daddy to bed

31 Months...I LOVE pre-school!

I really love all my teachers at pre-school, especially Miss Rachel and Miss Maddie. My favorite thing to do at there is play! I like to pretend play pre-school at home and tell mommy and daddy what to do. I tell them, "I show you!" The teachers said I am "really easy" and I even got a sucker today for being the only one to clean up the toys and I had good manners. I started potty training more and got to wear pull ups for a while, but then I got sick. I had a fever on the 2nd week of school and mommy had to pick me up. The next day, my feet itched so bad, and then I started getting blisters all over my hands and feet, and then in my mouth! I had Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease, and I still have the blisters all over my feet. Since then, I had another fever and had to be picked up early. I guess I am building up my immunity! We have gone several fun places this month. We went to Family Fun Fest, and I got to see a lady dancing. We went out for pizza with Nana Arden and Papa Rodney and my cousins. I also went to Ashley's birthday party where they had a clown named "Toons" who was making balloon animals. I got a crazy balloon hat! Then, my cousin had a birthday party the next day! We got to go to an outlet mall to look for clothes for me and met up with Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Tom. I also got to go to the library for something called "Tickles and Tunes" where they sang songs. I kept asking where the clown was! Mommy and daddy took me to Red Lobster and I liked the "crunchy bread" (clam strips!) I have said a lot of things that made mommy and daddy laugh too. When I was holding daddy's hand and had my purse in the other hand, mommy asked if she could hold my other hand. I told her, "I only have 2 hands!" I think I heard that somewhere before. I told mommy, "I love you mommy. You're my best friend too" and it melted her heart! When I make a mistake, I often say, "Oh man!" I say, "What's that smell?" when something stinks. After mommy came to pick me up from pre-school one day, I sat down and said, "Let's sit down and have a chat." I also inquired about girl parts and boy parts while I was on the potty chair. I asked mommy, "Why do boys have boy parts and hold them when they go pee?" I'm still not sure I understand. Mommy told me that she needed a bare butt (to put a diaper on). I ran to her and said, "I have an Ellie butt!" I like to say, "Sometimes I _____, and sometimes I not" to explain my many changing moods. I love to sing. One of my new favorite songs is "Take me out to the ball game". And boy, do I love to dance! Check out my video!
Putting my animals to bed
Splashing my feet in the water after Hand, Foot, and Mouth
Baby blues
Chatting on the real phone with a real person!
Chatting with brown puppy
My version of dancing (BTW, the Chiefs are losing!)
Strike a pose there's nothing to it-Vogue!
Crazy dancer

30 Months...Big girl bed and pre-school, what's next?

This has been such a fun month of growing up! I have become very opinionated about things. I love to say, "I no like this!" and when mommy asks for a hug or kiss, I like to just smile and say, "No thank you!" I also learned about the "Why?" question and like to test it out a lot. I love to play tag and hide and seek, so I can say, "You startled me" and "Boo!" Mommy thinks it is funny that I sometimes call spider webs "web spiders". I also discovered my favorite color: "oranshes!" (orange)
I threw a HUGE temper tantrum at the library, including spitting and taking off my shoes and throwing them at mommy. I just had to let off some steam. I felt much better after that. As challenging as I can be, I can also be very sweet. Most of the time, I pick up my toys without being asked to. I am very concerned about any mess I make, and like to help clean up. I even tried to clean up the bubble solution at The Little Gym!
I finished my last classes at Tumble Bees and The Little Gym. They were a lot of fun. I hope I can do that again next summer. Mommy took me to her work a couple of times, and I had so much fun there that I didn't want to leave.
I was sick a little bit this month too. I had a fever for a week, and about two weeks later, I had diarrhea and threw up all over the place. That was a bummer, but I was such a trooper and didn't act really sick at all.
We visited lots of people too this month. I got to see two of Mommy's friends and their therapy dogs: Rachel and Kramer, and Jill and Crosley. I talked about them for a long time. Aunt Michelle came for a visit, and she read me LOTS of books! Mommy took me to her hometown again, and I got to see lots of family. I played in the pool with Alex and Chase at Nana Carol and Papa Ron's. We went to Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Tom's too. I had a lot of fun seeing my great-grandparents. Then, we went to see Heather, Sean, Ashley, and Baby Ian. They are a lot of fun! Grandma Kathy also came for a visit and stayed with us for a night. We all went to visit my pre-school and to see Miss Annie and Mr. Kenny.
I have been waiting all summer to move into a new room and get my big girl bed/furniture. It finally came in, right before I went to pre-school. I slept in it for a nap that day and loved it! I told Mommy that I didn't want to sleep in my crib anymore. Mommy and Daddy have a rule that I have to lay or sit down on my big girl bed, and I have to ask to get out of bed. I added a new rule: go on the potty chair before sleeping in it. I came up with that all by myself!
Daddy went back to work a couple weeks ago, and when Mommy went to work today, I got to go to "pee-schoo" (pre-school!) I was really excited to play and read books. I gave mommy a hug and kiss and smile when she left and I was on my way. I had a great day playing with my old friend Trey-Bug. It took me a while to nap, but I finally fell asleep. I can't wait for tomorrow!
I love my Skippy John Jones book! Chilling with Daddy I love Lillian! Mommy looks like a princess, thanks to me! Flying with Mommy Reading with Aunt Michelle Hey Nana Arden, I'm sitting here! Rading with Nana Arden Hanging out, just like Daddy Ta Da! My big girl room! I love it! I can't wait! Hanging at the pool with Alex and Chase Monkey see, monkey do! Where did we go? Swim monster Shh...we're looking for kitty cats! Thanks for the graham cracker, Great Grandpa Willie Learning from Ashley Hijacking Crosley's cage What a great dog! Tea party with Uncle Kevin Tickled/picked on by Mr. Kenny! I love you so much Miss Annie! Taking time to stop and smell the...flowers My tree Introducing my new big girl bed! The whole Clifford family How I woke up on morning #2 First day of preschool! Flying on Mommy's legs