Big girl purse...

For her birthday, E received an adorable V*ra Bradley bag...the "Audrey" style in "Cupcakes Pink". This is actually NOT E's first Vera bag....she received a little tiny suitcase in Capri Melon from hubby's mom -- her stuffed animals and special treasures travel in it when we go on trips.

At any rate, E is so proud of this new little bag....she was so pleased to carry it to church on Sunday and show it to anyone who inquired about it. And she had a total "girlfriend moment" with her dear friend Hailey....I heard them talking after Sunday School and E said, "Just look at my new bag!" and Hailey said "Oh that is so cute, I am going to tell my mommy I want one!"...I love it!

Swimming pool time!...

It's that time of year again....we broke out the swimming pool last week, and E can't get enough. Regardless of the cool water, she was gung-ho getting in and even tried to teach herself to "float" by laying down in the water....at least that's what she told me she was doing! :-) She is too cute in this little hot pink, two piece swim suit....love it!

PS. Happy Birthday today to my Daddy! We love you!!!

Fun with cousins...

Last week, E's cousins were in town...these girls always have such a blast when they are together....three blue-eyed, sandy-haired girls...so sweet (and so LOUD!) when they get together!

Special delivery...

E and hubby were

horsing around in the yard the other day

when I snapped this cute photo:

Little reader...

E has been having fun reciting the books that we read to her often. She pretends she is reading and often makes up extra parts to stories based on the pictures in each book. During bedtime stories and devotions each night, we very often read at least one book by Julie Stiegemeyer. E loves these books and loves learning through them. Her current favorite is "Things I See at Baptism." I caught her on video having a read-a-thon with many of the Julie-written books that we own.

More outdoor fun...

Hopscotch is another outdoor fun activity that E's been enjoying lately. While she doesn't really know how to play, she enjoys hopping on the squares and counting the numbers out loud....she does this over and over and over and over! Too cute!

Backyard intruder...

This backyard visitor has figured out a way to

master our "squirrel-proof" birdfeeder...

..and he wasn't very afraid of me either!

...in fact, I think he might like having his photo taken!

Mommy's little helper...

E is such a helper when it comes to the laundry....
Now, if she could just see over the top of the washer!

She looks so thrilled here, doesn't she?...

Ah, sweet baby girl, I am afraid you have

many more years of chores ahead of you!

Soccer star...

E has had a "thing" for soccer balls for quite a while now. We don't really know where it came from - maybe a tv show or book? She has quite a few in her collection, from teeny tiny to plush to several outdoor versions. We got her a new outdoor ball for her birthday...she's loving testing it out!

Fun at the park...

Last Saturday evening, we packed a picnic dinner and walked down to our neighborhood park. It was a little cool out and we had the park to ourselves. E had so much fun showing Daddy "her" park. I usually take her when he's at work, but she finally got to take Daddy to show him all of the fun things there are to do....and she made him slide on the slide, too! They climbed up and slid down about 30 times in a row....at least!

Book worm...

There's been a whole lot of this

going on at our house lately, too.

E cannot get enough of books!

Thank heavens for the library!

Some of our current favorites:

A Frog in the Bog

The Bear Snores On

(and all of the other "bear" books that go with this)

Smash, Mash, Crash, There Goes the Trash!

Whopper Cake

Hilda Must Be Dancing

Sakes Alive! A Cattle Drive!

Hoppy Feet!

Angel, Angel, What Do You See?

anything by Julie Stiegemeyer

and anything else by Karma Wilson

What are some of your kiddos favorite books?

Birthday ice cream...

On E's actual birthday this year, we went out for ice cream. This is a treat that E adores above many others, and it's grown in popularity over the past year. When she turned 2, we went out for an ice cream treat, and she was done after about two bites. This year, she ate more than half of the Snicker's studded vanilla ice cream we were sharing. Yum! But sweets still are not her favorite foods.....our pediatrician asked her at her three-year checkup this week what her favorite foods were....E's answer? Broccoli and hot dogs. I love it!

A different kind of dress up?

Occasionally, E tries to dress up with items she finds in the laundry piles, or she goes clomping around the house in hubby's big ol' shoes. This attempt, she was trying to put on a pair of cotton capris and a tshirt of mine....as you can see, she didn't quite make it!

A whole lot of Little People goin' on...

There's been an awful lot of this going on

around our house lately:

...and apparently it is even more fun
if you're wearing your Elmo slippers!

Birthday morning fun with Mommy...

Yesterday morning, E and I braved the mist and humidity and set out for a morning of fun at a local park. E had a blast on the playground, of course....but she also really got into feeding the ducks this time, too. She was mobbed by tons of friendly (and weird looking!) ducks, pigeons and birds....we ran out of food very quickly, but it was so much fun!

Happy Third Birthday, E!

E's first birthday...and first cake! - 2007

Birthday party theme: princess!

E's second birthday - 2008

Birthday party theme: Rubber duckies

E's third birthday -2009

Birthday party theme: Sesame Street/Elmo, of course!

Happy Birthday to your sweet girl!

My, how you have grown and changed!

You bring such joy to our lives.

God blessed us richly when He gave us you!

A few extra folks at the manger...

This morning, E was playing with her L*ttle People nativity....

I could hear her talking about the angels, shepherds, the donkey,

Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus.

Imagine my surprise later when I stumbled upon this:

...a few extra friends must have been there on that holy night! :-)

I especially like the Elmo "drummer boy"! :-)

Gramma Monday - E's bday week edition

This morning, we enjoyed a bit of shopping with Gramma,

lunch out and a fun ride on E's favorite carousel!

(notice the words on E's shirt:

"Shopping is my Favorite Sport"!)

E's third birthday party...

We celebrated E's third birthday with family on Saturday

....such a fun day full of blessings!

Budding artist...

E took a super short nap today, and we were looking for something fun to fill our afternoon, so we broke out the watercolors for the first time. E's been recently enjoying paint-with-water after a loooooong love affair with markers. Today was a great day to finally broaden her horizons with the real deal! She had a blast. And look at the cool piece she painted right off the bat! I think this one gets a place of honor in my home office!