All About Ella

Our three-year-old was super excited to get a package in the mail last week for her birthday from the Yeomans family. Inside was this adorable handmade hat. Ella loves it and it's perfect for the much cooler autumn temperatures we've been experiencing. 

We call her Red Hooded Ella Roo!

Sunday morning was Ella's first day of Sunday School preschool. She really, really loved it! She technically attended classes last year with Nicholas as I was the catechist and Jeff was Nicholas' helper, but this year she's officially enrolled in the class and was excited to do class work with the other preschoolers. For the first lesson we read the story of Noah's Ark, sang the catchy tune "Arky, Arky" and the children painted rainbows with watercolors to illustrate God's promise that He would never flood the world again. Nicholas was in the kindergarten class this year with Jeff again as his helper. He loved seeing old friends and meeting his new teacher. 

On Sunday evening we had birthday celebration #2 with my parents and brother's family. Ella was really spoiled. 

She got a cute dress, a doll, and a couple of games from Eric, Tina & Vivien.

 I got to hold this sleeping sweetie while Ella opened her gifts. Pure happiness. 

Gramme & Papa bought Ella a leotard for dance class, some new rain boots for winter, and three room sets and a family for her new dollhouse. 

Daddy helped her get the house all set up with the new furniture. 

Aren't her owl boots adorable?! The best part is they match her raincoat from last year, which still fits!

Looks like the only thing she needs to complete her dollhouse is a bathroom set. Maybe it will be a Christmas gift?! 

What birthday celebration is complete without a sweet treat? This time it was ice-cream cake for the birthday girl!

May all your wishes come true...

Yummy, messy, perfection

Monday was another day of dance class, which Ella really enjoys. 

She struck a ballerina pose in her new leotard and hand-me-down tutu. 

Listening intently to Miss Sharon during ballet time. She finally got both her tap & ballet shoes, yay!

Then Monday afternoon was Ella's very first dental exam. Connie, the dental hygienist, was amazing with her. She got a new (pink!) toothbrush and then Connie asked Ella to show her how she brushes her teeth...

Then Connie showed her in the mirror how to properly brush so she can get all the hard-to-reach spots, not just the front teeth. 

Then Connie showed her all the instruments she uses to clean teeth. 

Then Ella got to wear the cool Mickey Mouse shades and the protective bib. 

Then the polishing, flossing, and cleaning began...

and the best part was that Ella had no cavities! She got to pick a prize and she got her photo taken for the "Cavity Free Club."

The part she didn't like so much was when the dentist advised her to stop sucking her thumb. He explained that in order for her teeth to straighten, she will need to stop thumb sucking as soon as possible. So far, so good. 

But...

This is the face we get when we remind her that she shouldn't be sucking her thumb anymore. 

It kind of makes me giggle. Hopefully she can kick the thumb sucking habit soon as Dr. Stinchfield said the sooner she stops, the faster her baby teeth will move back into normal position. The older she gets, the longer it will take for her teeth to straighten. I am so proud of our girl for trying so hard to stop doing something that brings her such comfort. 

Ella also had her three-year check-up recently and here are her stats: she weighs 35.8 lbs which puts her in the 85th percentile and she is 41 inches which puts her in the 99th percentile for height. She's right on track!