Strong Strong Strong

This little girl is two and three-quarters.  We haven't told her that factoid yet, since we know she will start forcing that tidbit of information on every person she meets.

Her personality remains strong strong strong.

 We recently bought her the book, Eloise, and she wants to read it constantly.  A tale of a girl causing mischief all over the Plaza really resonates with her.

Several times per week she insists on picnic lunches outside.

I don't even pretend to put up a fight, because who doesn't love picnics, especially with a curly-haired fairy princess?

Orelia, however, has recently decided to put up a fight, or really an argument for everything that comes her way.

With two lawyers for parents, I knew this was inevitable.  This girl has been getting far too much pleasure in putting forth every argument she can come up with.  I have restrained myself from rolling my eyes since I'm sure she will pick that habit up immediately.

She's mostly potty trained now, but still requests diapers for the big event of the day.

 It's been so fun to hear Orelia and her friends really talk to each other now.  Their play has become so much more hilarious to witness.

Orelia is always eager to see her friends and wakes up from most naps asking "Who's coming over??"

 We have developed a good rhythm now with just the right mix of staying at home, going for walks, exploring the backyard, having friends over, and going to activities.

 It used to be a struggle for me and for Orelia to be "stuck" at home, but lately her imagination is so vivid that it's easy to play at home with all of her regular toys.

She's currently obsessed with backpacks and totes several of them around the house with her owl and Frozen purses also in tow.  A bunch of junk gets hurled onto a couch and it becomes a train.  "All aboard" she calls to Harper!

 She and I spend a lot of the day laughing, which is about as good as it gets.

She's been a bit less eager to share her toys with Bennett lately, but after some gentle coaxing she usually is willing to let him hold her most unwanted object.  

Overall, she loves to be with him and adores him.  Tonight when saying goodnight to Bennett, she told him to "have nice dreams," which almost brought me to tears.

 Just today she discovered how to blow raspberries on his tummy to make him laugh, and she was beside herself with how much fun it was.

Everything she does is done with conviction and exuberance.  Her hugs are the tightest.  She likes to give "super kisses."  She sprints to pick up a forgotten item.  She is our strong strong strong girl.