Sleeping Beauty

Oh, how I love, love, love my sweet baby like this. I decided to try her without a nap one day (since our pediatrician informed me she was at an age where she'll probably start to need cutting it out). Well, the afternoon "quiet time" was such a new concept for her, that it wasn't very. Around dinner time, I was reading her some books, and she simply crashed in my lap. I put her on the sofa, and the child was not budging, no matter how much I messed with her and talked to her. I felt so bad having to wake her up. I felt even worse for myself knowing what a little grump she would be when I finally succeeded in waking her up. I had to be armed with something to entice her when she opened her scowling eyelids. My weapon of choice? A croissant. It worked.

Christmas Decorating in Mid-November

Yeah, that would be Ellison picking her nose. It's her favorite pasttime. We cannot keep her little fingers out of her nose. I've tried putting a tissue over her finger, and she acts as if I just placed acid in her hand. It's fabulous reaching out your hand in response to, "Here, Mom", and receiving a slimy boogie in your hand. Ugh. OK, but that's not what this post is about...

We decided to get out Christmas tree out way-early since we were heading to Michigan over Thanksgiving, and didn't want to deal with it when trying to settle back home when we returned. Ellison and I decorated the tree when Daddy was at work, and we had SO much fun! Unwrapping every ornament was like Christmas day to her. So awesome to watch her excitement this year with the Christmas decor.

(By the way - another dress she wears almost daily, despite being a little small).

Time Out

Gotta record Ellison's first (and hopefully only) time-out at school:

So, as I was picking up Ellison in the carpool lane, one of her teachers, Mrs. Medley, said, "Well, I'll tell you about it, since I'm sure you'll hear about it anyway. We had a little incident today..." My initial thought was that Ellison had somehow been done wrong by a little classmate. Reasonable thinking, considering the fact that she's been a little doormat with other children who are being assertive or aggressive. Imagine my surprise when Mrs. Medley goes on to explain to the contrary. Apparently, Ellison was playing grocery store along with another classmate, and Mrs. Medley saw Ellison push the other girl out of the way to get something. Mrs. Medley told Ellison that she needed to say "Excuse me" in the future, and she needed to apologize. Ellison WOULD NOT do it. She apparently kept trying to distract Mrs. Medley during the battle-of-the-wills, by saying things like, "Do you like my shoes?", etc. Mrs. Medley told E if she didn't apologize that she would have to go in time out, and then she would STILL have to apologize. She then said, "Do you want to go in time out?", to which my daughter nodded her head! (Ooh, that girl is STUBBORN). So into time out she went, and after her time was up, Mrs. Medley STILL had to go back-and-forth with her before Ellison finally apologized!!! I'm getting glimpses into my future here... When I talked with Ellison about obeying her teachers, apologizing, etc., she said, "I'll try harder next time, Mom".

I couldn't help but think it was kinda funny (without her presence, of course). Daddy laughed, Grandma laughed, that strong will is just SO Ellison. The funny thing was, we had been trying to teach her to stand up for herself when other kids are taking things from her, being forceful with her, etc. Either we're confusing the hell out of her, or she's a little Jeckyl & Hide.

Elli Crocker

While Mama was working away at the hospital, Daddy was more than happy to let Ellison break in her bake set. The two of them made some yummy cupcakes - I love nothing more than pounding my face with a ton of food at 10:30pm when I get home, so imagine my contentment. :-)

[November 14, 2009]

The Celebration Continues

The week after Ellison's birthday we had a playdate at Ella James' house. As always, it was great being around our friends, but every one of the girls was in rare form that day. It was like mass PMS for female toddlers. I think all of us moms were exploring the option of illicit drug use that day. :-) Nonetheless, despite all of our little ones' behaviors, we loved hanging with our chicas. Alisha and Ella James were SOOOO kind to surprise Ellison by celebrating her birthday, complete with a cake and singing. Can you believe I actually didn't have my camera on me?! Oh, bother! So I had to settle for some pics when we got home - Ellison LOVES her new mini-baking set. Not only has she baked real cupcakes with it, it's also served many a snack, and provided valuable make-believe time for Mookie.

[November 11, 2009]

"Is It Still My Birthday?"

Ellison had two days of birthday celebration! She woke up and wanted to immediately put on her cheerleading outfit, then came downstairs to play with her Baby Center for the first time. The two of us had fun bathing, changing, feeding, putting her babies to sleep, and organizing their clothes.

After going to breakfast at IHOP with our good friends, Isabella and her mommy, Kelly, we took the girls to Balance Day Spa where they each got their first mani & pedi!!! They both loved it and held as still as could be.

Ellison soaking her feet in the foot spa while it's Isabella's turn to get her mani.

Ellison's favorite part seemed to be the bubbling water that changed colors and tickled her feet. She would say, "Ahhh...".

Pretty little tootsies

Isabella gave Ellison some birthday gifts as we said our goodbyes.

[November 6, 2009]

A Full Birthday

Ellison had a great day on her birthday. Our little tradition is to go into her room when she wakes up presenting her with a balloon and singing "Happy Birthday" while the video camera is crammed in her face. Thankfully, it's the one day she actually wakes up with a smile on her face, rather than her cranky little, "I want my Daddy", with a scowl on her face when she realizes it's just Mom. Daddy left the house before she woke up to go get Krispy Kreme doughnuts for her class at preschool. She woke up while he was gone, but was so excited to see that he came back before going to work so he could wish her a happy birthday.

Tinkerbell, a fave right now...

I let her open a little gift from me after she got up.

She'd been wanting this tiara from the grocery store every week we are there.

For our little princess

Love her little body language as she's getting sung to again with her birthday doughnut.

The classic "mid-blow" photo

Fun with bubble wrap before heading to preschool.

Ellison came home from school with a birthday hat from her teachers. After I picked her up, we ran through the drive-thru of Chick-Fil-A (Ell's fave), then met Megan and Baity (and Nevin and Valerie) at the park for lunch and play time.

So excited to spot her Barbie Fairytopia Princess cake - the very one she's been eyeing all summer long and asking for! Can you believe they didn't have the Hispanic Barbie?! Maaaan... She really wanted the regular Barbie cake, but was still just as content with this one - I think as long as it had a giant dress we were golden.

Her little preschool birthday hat. Yes, she has a summer dress on, no it was not that warm out. This was prior to the mass exodus of her summer dresses from her closet and into storage. I didn't have the heart to argue with her about it on her birthday.

Opening up her scrolled artwork sent from her cousin, Lucas.

After Daddy came home from work, Ellison's cousin Tato (aka Peter), Nilda, Bianca, and Natalia all drove up from Concord after the girls got out of school, just to celebrate Elli's birthday with us! It was SO nice! Poor Ellison was so patient, waiting ALL DAY to open her birthday presents, so it was the first thing she wanted to do after we all ate dinner.

Her new shoes that Daddy bought for her in the UK. Still too big, but she's lovin' 'em. Did you expect otherwise???

With Nilda

Hugs for Nilda (whom E calls "Milda")

Playing with Nati

She has that little embarrassed look on her face that she gets, while we were all singing to her again.

The neighbor girl, Alyssa, came over to join us for cake and ice cream, then the 4 girls played for a little while.

Ellison trying out her new dress-up cheerleading outfit from Aunt Andrea, Uncle Josh, and her cousins back in MI.

The rest of the evening was spent playing with new toys and getting in Daddy's way ;-) while Daddy was putting together her new Baby Center (her big gift from Mommy & Daddy). Unfortunately, she had to go to bed that night without it complete yet.

Not a bad day for a 3 year old, eh?

[November 5, 2009]