A girl and her friends

Addie's Birthday Party

Addie's 3rd birthday party was very low-key, almost, but not quite the complete opposite of Ellie's. All Addie wanted to do for her birthday was go to Bounce Town. And though it was simple, she had a blast with her friends.

We had a simple but yummy birthday cake and Addie insisted that the purple frosting tasted the best. Perhaps that's an indication of her favorite color? Who knows.

The part that made me laugh the most, though, was that Addie didn't know how to open presents. In this day and age, there are so many gift bags that she didn't know what to do with wrapping paper. So Ellie volunteered to help. When a box was discovered under the paper, Addie excitedly exclaimed "OH! A box!" and moved onto the next present before looking to see what was in the box. Too silly.

Asking Nicely

Addie: Mommy can you open dis peas? (pause) Mommy, can you peas open dis for me? (pause) Mommy, can you peas put da cherry on top and open dis for me?

Happy Birthday, Addie

Without fail it seems as though October sneaks up on me every year. Three years ago today I was holding my baby - the one who completed my little family. Three years ago today I learned that it really is true that a parent's heart can double in size when their second child is born. Magic.

Addie, we have watched you grow so much in the last year. In some ways you've changed a lot. You've learned so much, yet in many ways you haven't changed at all. You are still one of the most easy going, carefree souls I know. I think in many ways it's because of this trait that it feels like you've been 3 for so long. You've been so easy that I think we skipped right past any terrible twos stage. Perhaps you just didn't think it was necessary to force the world to act on your every demand. You're wiser than that. You seem to know that the world won't always do as it's told, yet you also seem to understand that's ok. It doesn't have to do what you want it to do. You can still be happy on your own.

How do you do that? Seriously, girl. You're only three years old yet if Ellie doesn't listen to you, you simply move on and continue to be happy anyway. This might drive Ellie a bit bonkers but that's because she doesn't quite know yet what you have known all along. Happiness comes from within. If you want to be happy, you decide to be happy. If you need a few minutes to be sad, then that's ok too. Just come back to play when you've decide to be happy again. Like I said. You're a wise soul.

Sometimes we wonder if you're simply following Ellie and want to do everything she does. Though in many ways this might be true, I also find myself thinking that perhaps it's yet another example of how you simply don't NEED things to go your way. As a result, eveyone loves you dearly. If you go into your old classroom at school, the kids don't hesitate to all jump up to run to give you a hug. You have lots of best friends in your class, and never name just one to be your favorite. I'm told that you give everyone hugs, including the teachers or other kids' parents, whenever they leave.

When you sleep with me, I often notice that you take care of me more than you require I do to you. You don't need me to scratch your back in order to fall asleep, however you do know that it's nice. As a result, you often scratch MY back, or pull the covers up to my shoulders, or even run your fingers gently down my cheak. All the while, you think I'm sleeping. You simply do it out of love. You take care of others around you because you love them. You do not feel like it's necessary to demand the same in return. Rather, you seem to have the inherent understanding that it will come. When you unconditionally love others, then the love will be returned to you. It's not forced. It's just natural.

You're starting to get your own sense of humor, which I love. You have this way of stating a fact or asking a question, then cocking your head to the side and looking up at the ceiling in a funny way, waiting for a response. I wish I could take a photo of it, but as often as it happens, it can't be timed. It puts a smile on my face everytime, though, and Mommy and Daddy often catch ourselves doing the same thing just because it makes us smile to think about you.

Like your sister, you have a kind soul. You are a wonderful sister and always seem to want to do whatever keeps Ellie happy. If the two of you are fighting over a particular toy, it's almost always you who gives it up. It's as though your sister's happiness is more important to you than being right.

You absolutely hate to disappoint people. If you get even an inkling of someone being disappointed in you, you get very upset. You try to hold it in, but usually it ends up bursting out in a big apology. If you've accidentally hurt someone, you do not hesitate in saying you're sorry. And it's genuine. You don't just say it because you know you should. You say it because you FEEL it.

There's still a lot that I don't know about you. Whenever I ask you what your favorite color is, you respond with "Bella's favorite color is purple." Well that's good, sweetie, but Mommy doesn't really care what Bella's favorite color is. Mommy wants to know more about YOU. As such, you still remain my rainbow daughter. Simply because you seem to think all colors are equal. Makes perfect sense to me.

Three years ago you entered my life and it has been complete ever since. You do not need to be told how amazing you are. I think you just know inside. You have a sense of confidence that words can not compare with. To say that you're a joy to have in our lives is such an understatement. When I watch the way you handle difficult situations, or how you respond when you know someone is upset, there are lessons in there for me to learn. You teach me more than you know. For someone who is only 3 years old, you sure are a wise soul.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow is Addie's birthday and she assures me that she will not miss being two years old... "Maybe when I'm bigger I will want to be two years old again but not now. Now I'm almost free and now I'm almost five like Lori-elle. I'm catching up to her now! She's going really fast but I'm going faster and faster because I'm free. I don't want to be two anymore. Maybe when I'm older."

Stolen Gold

Mommy: Wow! Look at the sunset!
Addie: It looks like gold!
Ellie: It looks like golden that was stolen and now I think it's calling for help.

Deep Potty Thoughts

I suppose just about everyone does some of their best thinking while sitting on the can, and Addie is no exception...

"I was thinking about poo poo and pee pee.  I think the poo poo is the pince and the pee pee is the pincess and when I flush the potty they are married and they can live happily ever after!"

Wordless Wednesday

Gullible

Ellie:  I love you.
Daddy:  Rarr.
Ellie:  I love you!
Daddy:  Rarr!
Ellie:  I said "I love you."
Daddy:  Rarr.
Ellie:  Please tell me you love me too.
Daddy:  I did.  "Rarr" is "I love you" in dinosaur.
Ellie:  REALLY?!?!

The best day EVER

Ellie:  Today was the greatest day ever!  Do you know what the specialest thing is that I don't usually get to do?  I was SO lucky!  I got to be in charge of the clipboard!!!