Ellen at Three

Ellen at Three

I'm Three!
Back in September she kept telling everyone she was three (which can be problematic as many places have free stuff for kids under three) and would get really mad when we told her she was two. Now that she’s actually three she tells everyone she’s two.

For some reason, I’ve always dreamed of having a spunky, redheaded girl. (Or a mini me 😉 ) At three, Ellen may not be delivering fully on the redhead bit (she’s seeming solidly strawberry blonde at the moment), but she definitely makes up for it in spunk.

Classic Ellen, gloveless in the snow. One day I spent a lot of time bundling her up and 10 seconds out the door her gloves were off. Exasperatedly I asked, "Why did you take your gloves off?" She replied, "I have to get a booger out of my nose."
Classic Ellen, gloveless in the snow. One day I spent a lot of time bundling her up and 10 seconds out the door her gloves were off. Exasperatedly I asked, “Why did you take your gloves off?” She replied, “I have to get a booger out of my nose.”

She runs head first at life with a certain amount of reckless abandon that is sometimes scary. She’ll be in the middle of something and then sporadically decide to change course, literally throwing whatever she was working on aside. One time, Cooper saved her from running in front of a car. Thank goodness she has a big brother.

Bunny Hunt
One day, Ellen announced that she was going to catch a bunny. She charged into the yard wielding a plastic golf club and yelling, “Bunny! Come here bunny!” Shockingly, she didn’t catch one.

She provides the best comical relief though. Whether that’s hunting bunnies, announcing she “has a mullet in [her] hair” or bringing me her pom-poms and telling me she needs to “Shake it off.”

Fashionista
One of her favorite outfits. We may never get rid of that binky. It would jus be too traumatic. For everyone.

She’s developed a lot of opinions about fashion, which makes dressing her quite interesting. If it’s comfortable and involves some sort of animal she’s generally pleased, but if an outfit doesn’t meet her satisfaction she’ll refuse to wear it. Sometimes when I find awesome deals on clothes for her, she’ll adamantly tell me to “put it back” when it’s something she doesn’t like.

While most of the time she looks like a little pig-pen, she actually really likes dressing up in "prince-ah" (princess) dresses.
While most of the time she looks like a little pig-pen or a homeless urchin, she actually really likes dressing up in “prince-ah” (princess) dresses.

However, if it’s something she does like she’ll gush “I love it. I love it mom!” Now if only her hair would grow so people would stop telling me I have such “handsome boys.” (And yes, they tell me this even when she’s decked out in pink.)

Ellen in the Hoberman sphere.
Ellen in the Hoberman sphere.

If I mindlessly turn off the car and begin unloading when there was a song on the radio that she likes, she’ll insist I pull it up on the computer when we get inside so she can listen to the whole thing.

Possessively loving some Christmas presents.
Possessively loving some Christmas presents.

If you haven’t picked up on it, she’s incredibly stubborn and fiercely independent. She never wants help putting clothes on, brushing her teeth, or really doing much of anything.

What Ellen looks like on a typical day: running around outside, hair unkempt, dirt on her face.
What Ellen looks like on a typical day: running around outside, hair unkempt, dirt on her face.

In the summer she was fairly interested in potty training, but I was too burnt out to earnestly try anything. When I decided I was interested in potty training, she threw tantrums anytime I even mentioned the potty and no amount of bribery (not even ice cream cones or the promise of a pet, yes we are desperate) enticed her in the least bit. Instead she asks for “space diapers” (disposables) and throws fits when I wrestle her into the less absorbent, bulkier cloth diapers. I’m a little perplexed as to what to try next, especially since she has taken to changing her own diapers which isn’t as helpful as it might sound. (Think: poop everywhere.)

Scripture Power
When church was cancelled because of heavy snow, both Cooper and Ellen made sure we acted like it was still Sunday and repeatedly brought us their picture scriptures.

Despite her fiery personality, she has an incredibly sweet side. She gives the best hugs and is quick to say “I love you.” When Cooper was too scared to sing a musical number with all the other kids in church and was clearly upset, Ellen gave him a hug and said “It’s okay, Cooper.” On more than one occasion she’s brought me different church books and will quietly listen for long periods of time (which is amazing behavior for her) while I tell her about Jesus, the temple, or other church topics. One day when I was telling her all the places we were going to go for errands, she paused and said, “How about the temple?” She has a pure spirit and I’m grateful for her reminders of what’s most important.

Meeting our friend's bunny. (She was asked to leave her golf club at home)
Meeting our friend’s bunny. (She was asked to leave her golf club at home.)

She still loves animals whether they’re wild, pets, or the stuffed animals she drags around the house. Because she’s so charming (and because of the pet-potty-training-desperation bribe) we’re afraid she’ll talk us into getting one some day. Puppies are still her favorite, but I’m trying to brainwash her into wanting a cat (less maintenance). In a way, she’s a lot like a puppy. She’s adorable and affectionate, but if left unattended for more than 10 minutes she can destroy an entire room. (If you’re lucky she might even pee on something.)

Fascinated by an aquarium at the Museum of Nature and Science.
Fascinated by an aquarium at the Museum of Nature and Science.

Despite being an absolute handful, we are glad to have her spicing up our life. We love you miss E!

Miss Pigpen

5 thoughts on “Ellen at Three

  1. I love this. I love how (for the most part) you are just fine letting Ellen be herself – strong will and all.

    I’ve been seeing lots of articles and stuff about how “head-strong” children are really a good thing. The parents in them always act like they couldn’t imagine how any child could have a will of their own and they wonder how they are going to survive. Then someone mentions that strong willed children and actually a blessing and the rest of the article talks about that. I’m sure you’ve seen them too.

    What makes me laugh (and/or yell at my computer) is how no one admits to being a strong willed child themselves. As a former headstrong child that has grown up into a independent, take charge kind of adult I know first hand how wonderful it was as a kid to feel like my opinions mattered to my family.

    I also give my kids a (shocking) amount of leeway. I know that there is no bending these kids to my will. I’m sure other parents think I’m crazy, but I’d rather work with my kids than against them.

    Anyway, what I’m trying to say is good job with Ellen. The world needs lots of girls like her, and parents who are willing to raise them.

    1. Most of the time I honestly don’t feel like I have a choice! I do like reading those articles though, it makes me feel a little less like a push-over parent with a wild child.

  2. Miss-E has already taken the child version of Mini-Councilor to all endeavors she encounters, and she has her eye on being the Boss. She is not interested in doing things that do not meet her fancy, but she is not displaced when something does. She will always posses the drive to be what she wants, and she will always posses my heart. So on this terrific occasion from which she turns 3 years old to 2 years old her Grandpa Mike says she is 2 years older that being one. Love you Ellen.

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