Millie Turns 3.

Millie turned 3 on October 12th. For some reason when her birthday was approaching, Craig and I both thought, "How is she only turning 3?" Maybe because she's been speaking well since she was super young, and maybe because she's given us a run for our money since the beginning so it feels like she's been around for a lot longer. Either way, she was soooo excited for her birthday, she'd told everyone about it, and had been counting down the days until she could go into the "big kid room" with Charlotte at the gym daycare.

Millie is my little buddy now that Charlotte is in school all day. It is good for both of us to have more time together. She loves going to play at the gym in the morning and later she is my helper while we run errands. She is a super shopper and loves to help me find all the things we need at the grocery store. She LOVES going to Walmart especially, partly to look at whatever holiday decorations they have out, and partly because she always gets a free treat at the bakery. We spent many mornings admiring the Halloween stuff:

Millie likes doing puzzles, drawing, painting, playing dress up, looking at books, swimming (she took her first lessons this year with Craig), serving food out of our play kitchen, going to the library, and watching shows, especially the old school Care Bears.
She idolizes Charlotte. If Charlotte is sick, Millie pretends to be sick, too. She loves to have Charlotte read books to her. Anything Charlotte does or has, Millie wants to do or have, too.
Her relationship with Lincoln is a mix of good and bad. She is usually nice to him but can be ALL OVER HIM. Tackling him, putting blankets over his head, etc.
Millie can really be the cutest person ever. I feel like she has mellowed out a lot and hardly ever has fits anymore. She is funny and sweet and also a bit sassy. Suddenly instead of just saying no she says "no, no, no and NO." What a 'tude!
She is my pickiest eater. If she sees an onion or pepper or some kind of herb, she either picks everything apart or wants nothing to do with it. Her favorites lately are oatmeal, salmon, and PB & honey sandwiches. She asks me for gum like 10 times a day and wants a treat wherever we go (she doesn't usually get one).
The other week she swallowed a dime and was freaking out thinking she was going to get sick.  I had to dig through her bowel movements for 2 days. UGGGGH. She's learned her lesson though, I think.

The morning of her actual birthday we surprised her with streamers outside her bedroom door:

and put a big Cheerbear on her seat at the table. She loves that thing:

Craig and I went out early to get some birthday donuts (his mom was here visiting and stayed with the kids):

We let her open a few of her presents in the morning and saved the rest for after cake.

Wearing her new Belle dress and Frozen crown:

She wanted to help me make her cake and had chosen a turquoise cake mix:

Her activities of choice were going to the park in the morning, a pumpkin patch in the afternoon, a carousel ride at the mall, and Chickfila for dinner.

Millie is adorable and we love her so much. Our family definitely wouldn't be the same without her!