3 Years Old

• has a very impressive memory
• loves jigsaw puzzles
• weighs 28 pounds
• takes one nap a day
• favorite books include: Elephant and Piggie series, books about shoes, books about cooking, books about firefighters 
• wakes up very cheerful and talkative in the mornings
• likes to help me cook
• loves to go to the pool but does not like her ears splashed
• asks to paint her nails and wear lipstick almost every day
• wants to be "fancy" lately... dresses, skirts, sparkly shoes
• wants to have 5 babies when she grows up - Actually, she wants me to have 5 babies. I said, "That's not happening, but you can do what you want when you are grown up, like me." 
• will eat just about anything but isn't crazy about green veggies - She loves mushrooms,   olives, a variety of fruits (especially berries), ice cream, smoothies, maple syrup (with a dab of pancake), nuts, cheese, bread, bacon, eggs, chicken, steak... she has even warmed up to "hairy" raspberries
• is not afraid of bugs
• is so excited about starting pre-school and thinks she will be riding a bus
• asks us and my parents to tell the same stories over and over, usually involving fire, animal rescue, or an accident
• is sincerely polite most of the time - (to a restaurant worker): "Thank you for vacuuming." (To me): "I like these eggs. They're really good. Thanks for making them. I'm glad I like them." (To Ryan): "Thanks for letting me help you build my play house. Happy Father's Day!" It wasn't Father's Day :) 
• wants a real cat and a dog that barks for her birthday... also not happening
• is very friendly and has invited strangers to her birthday party
• is the only person who doesn't annoy me when she smacks gum
• loves her new play house in the yard and would probably live in it most of the day
• words I'm going to miss: "swanwich", "gur", "plillow", "chah milk" (even though she can say "chocolate") , "brekspast" (breakfast)

cedar play house in progress

raspberry fingernails

She has taken a recent liking to headbands, and this is how she wears them. I just let it ride. I laughed every time I thought about her looking like John McEnroe. She certainly marches to the crazy beat of her own drum.