3 Years Old

Happy Birthday Melissa!  Today you turned 3!

What are you up to?

• We went to the doctor last week for your wellness visit and you are doing great!  You were 35 inches tall and weighed 28.5 pounds.
• You are wearing size 24 month and 2T clothes. (We just moved you up to them at the beginning of the summer!)
• Your hair is now a light brown, probably due to the sun!  Everyone comments on how pretty and long it is.  Funny that when Mommy tries to brush it, you say "Ow!" and don't want me to fix it, yet you come home from school with such cute hair styles all the time!  
• You are pretty much potty trained, and have been for a while.  We are using the last of the Pull-ups at night, but since they are still dry in the morning, I'm not buying any more when these are gone. 
• You have an opinion on the clothes you were and the shoes you put on.  While Mommy appreciates the cotton shirts and shorts while you are at school, there are times she would like you to wear a skirt or cute top with sandals on the weekend.  But you are comfortable and enjoy what you wear!
• You love to build with blocks and especially love to build with Daddy.  Whether it be making a high tower, or putting lego's together, we can see those wheels turning
• You surprise us all the time with the new things you learn at school.  Just last week you announced that the overhang at the drive through was a "semi-circle".  

 

• You are getting good at actually counting objects and not just rattling off the numbers.  1, 2, and 3, have been easy, but when we get higher up like 6, 7 you had been struggling.
• You definitely like to do your own thing, at your own pace.  This is kind of frustrating when we have someplace to be, or something to take care of, but you rarely put up a fuss - just proclaim that you are playing or reading right now.  And once you are done with it, you are so cooperative!
• You love Athena!
• You enjoy being at Golden Keys.  You moved up to a new classroom at the beginning of the summer, but since so many of your friends moved too, you did a great job!  You know all of the teachers and so many of the kids.  Mommy loves the friendly environment and everyone exclaims how much you and Daddy look alike!
• You love to dance and sing!

• We converted the crib into the toddler bed.  It was a struggle at first, as you realized you could get out, and we had to put the gate up to your room a few times (which caused lots of tears!).  But while you still love to climb in and out of the bed, you tend to stay in there once you are ready for sleep.
• You LOVE to roughhouse with Daddy.  It's one of your favorite things to do every day when he comes home from work.  In fact, when he is traveling for work, you sometimes get a little too rough with Mommy! 
• Mommy and Daddy love to say that you are motivated by Daddy's belt. (Hehe!)  Actually, we do use it in the morning to motivate you, because you love to help Daddy put his belt on in the morning.  It gets you moving faster than any other option.
• You love to read and be read to.  There are several books that you know by heart and will "read" them to us.  Mommy and Daddy love to hear you as you read out loud. 

• You love to help Mommy and Daddy with whatever we are working on.  Whether it be cooking, dishes, fixing something, or watering the plants, you love to lend a hand.
• You love your family and cousins and aunts and uncles.  We talk about them all the time and you get very excited when we talk about going to see them.

We are so blessed to have you as our daughter and Mommy and Daddy love you so much!  It's unbelievable how much you have changed our lives these past 3 years.  You keep us laughing and bring us such joy every day.  We love our beautiful, happy, sweet Melissa!