Three Years Old

3 Years Old!

It was a fun celebration, celebrating this 3 year old as she brought the excitement. We celebrated at our house with about 10 of her closest friends. No longer going to the Boulder daycare, she was overly excited to have her friends come visit. We celebrated her actual birthday with some park time and a special Red Robin dinner. Who knew the Red Robin birthday song would terrify her. Luckily it didn't take her long to recover and dig into the sundae. 

At 3 years old, Audrey, you are a strong-willed little lady making some days a challenge to figure out how best to parent. You love to do everything yourself and although you know the rules, you often do things just to get a rise (like drawing on a table while saying 'I'm drawing on the table, mom' or running in a parking lot). But most of the time you are our sweet girl who has a very mellow temperament, sings constantly and follows most statements and questions with 'otay?' 

Your favorite thing is playing with your 'family' and dolls, using a sweet high pitched voice to soothe as well as astern voice when they are in trouble. We hear everything we tell you come back out of your mouth ('if you don't eat your dinner, you don't get a treat' and 'if you don't behave...you will go to your room'). And you love using any baby item (car seat, monkey chair, diapers, blankets) for the family you are so wonderful at caring for.

You claim you love to do art, but that really just involves dumping out every crayon, marker and piece of paper and then refusing to clean it up. 

You love to work, which entails putting down a portable keyboard, mouse and work phone and telling everyone to 'be quiet, I'm trying to work' while answering work calls. 

One of your favorite snacks (other than chocolate and mummies of course) is frozen peas and carrots. You will eat them by the cup full. We are happy to give you cups full.

You are great negotiator. If we say 2 jelly beans, you immediately say 'how about 3?'

You also love Dora, which you ask to watch daily. You dance to the music and role-play the plots all the time. 'Swiper, no swiping!' 'I'm stuck in a gooey guiser'. 

You love Sarkie (who you said is your favorite person to spend time with) and your brother. It is so much fun watching you learn and explore and dad and I constantly look at each other and smile at the things you come up with. Your vocabulary is broad and you can hold any conversation and express yourself well. We love you more than words can say. 

Some favorite Audrey quotes: 

Putting some Lanolin on her chest: 'My boobies are tired, but they feel better now'

Talking to Odah, while putting her newest baby doll in her shirt: 'I can't wrestle with you Oda because I have a baby in my belly. But I can hold you!'

I hear a clunk from the living room and ask what was that noise? 'Baby just threw the noise machine!'

After going to the bathroom and if I jump up to wash my hands first: 'No, mom, you have to wait in lion (aka line)!'

About just about everything: 'I'm so excited!'

She was so excited (like asking every 2 minutes if it was time) for her friends to arrive, we had to turn on Dora.

Special birthday morning breakfast...with whipped cream.

Playing Doctor.

Telling dad what's up.