Lilly-3 and 3/4's

Lillian Grace-you are now 3 and 3/4's.  4 is right around the corner and I just cannot get over that.  We were watching home videos of when you were little and while it seems like only yesterday, I also cannot believe that you were once that little.  The crazy thing is how much the same you are-facial expressions, the words you say, your personality...it's amazing.   Everyday you amaze me and you are just growing up before my eyes Lilly Grace! 
 

 

This time of year has been a busy one-in the last 3 months we have had a lot going on including Halloween, Fall birthdays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.  The past 3 months have flown by-but have been so fun and magical.  I just love it.  Commence 3 months of pictures (it's SOOOOO hard to narrow down the best that capture the past 3 months):

You are really getting into the swing of things at your new school.  You love your new teacher and have made some new friends.  You had so much fun at their Trunk or treat party and you rocked it in the Thanksgiving (Pilgrim) and Christmas (a blue bird) skits.  We went to the pumpkin patch a few times and did lots of fun outdoorsy things as a family like family hikes at the Gunpowder.  We even made our own soft pretzels!  Yum!  You were Pocahontas for Halloween and you had so much fun eating all day on Thanksgiving and spending time at Grammy and Gramp's and Mimi and Pa's.  You attended your first musical at John Carroll and LOVED it-High School Musical.  You celebrated lots of birthdays the past three months including Daddy's, Aunty Em's and cousin Kelly's.  Your elf Clarence returned and reported that you were on the nice list and you even had a house call from the man in red himself! 

 

You had a great Christmas day (also your 3 and 3/4 'birthday').  Your favorites gifts from Santa were your Doc Mobile, Elsa jammies, and your sleeping bag. 

This 4th year has really been about asserting your independence.  While beautiful at times, it can also be very trying little one.  You certainly have your quirks-like how your shirt needs to fit just right or the fact that you don't want to look cute-you want to look beautiful, and that some days you would wear your princess pajamas all day if I let you.  Mommy and Daddy are learning right along with you!

 
Along with your independence you are also beginning to question everything.  Why this?  Why that?  What's this?  What's that.  You are a sponge ready to learn!  You love dressing yourself, picking out your own clothes and your memory amazes me! 

Some of your favorite things right now are:  watching movies-your favorites are Pirates of the Caribbean, Frozen (still!), and How to Train your Dragon 2.   You love your princess jammies and will only wear your fancy nightgowns.  Tutu dresses are wear it's at.  You love to sing and you particularly love Taylor Swift's Shake it off.  You love being active and playing outside but you can also veg on the couch for hours (if we let you). 

You are still taking a regular nap and have recently occasionally started skipping them.  You really do need one and you are in a much better when you do take one! 

You love ice cream.

You and Tommy can be the best of friends and he can annoy the living daylights out of you.  He does everything you do.  He does really love his big sister.  Just like when he was a baby, there are some moments when only you can make him smile or stop fussing.  Even at bedtime he calls for you sometimes and you come and rock with him.  I just love it.

My sweet Lilly Grace.  You are just a blessing and mommy and daddy are learning from you every day.  I know we aren't perfect but we sure do hope you look back on these early memories and remember how much fun we had.  You are such a funny, smart, and all around awesome kid.  We love you very much and we are always looking forward to our new adventures ahead.  The next 3 months will probably be a little less exciting-although we are hoping for some snow!  Hugs and kisses!