Julia is 3!!!!!

Wishing our littlest lady a wonderful 3rd birthday!!!! What a year she had ...

Julia started dance class and is leading the way in the dance routine amongst her 4 and 5 year old friends. We were quite surprised that she not only follows right along but much of the time appears as if she isn't paying attention, however as soon as it's time to demonstrate the routine, she raises her hand and does the entire thing in sequence! Her dance teacher, Miss Tracee is very proud and of course so are we!!! She will join Emma for the recital this year, which as my sister reminded us, was her goal ever since she had to sit through Emma's recital. April says she saw the sparkle and Julia's eye last year and is very impressed that Julia did not forget about dance but was so determined to get into her own class to make it to the recital (a full year before her big sister!!!).

Julia is proving to be our "one to watch", she is into absolutely everything. She has a very determined mind of her own and a huge imagination. She can spend hours chatting to herself and playing pretend kitchen/restaurant. She loves to be the waitress and take your order, she will even tell you if what you ordered is something she can cook, saying "we don't make that here". She is getting the nickname "Ramona" ... remember Ramona the Pest and Ramona the Brave by Beverly Clearly, well Julia is a mini Ramona, even Emma will say "ughhh, Ramona" when Julia dumps entire cupboards of junk onto the floor or sticks something up her nose!

Julia loves to perform, she will sing and dance much of the day away. She adores Taylor Swift and pretty much knows most of her songs by heart!

Julia makes us smile every single day, with her funny mannerisms (like always talking with her hands or when she's finished yet another performance she will say "you are supposed to clap!"). She has no problem letting anyone know what she needs or what she expects from you.

Julia loves her pull ups, she has no desire to move onto big girl underwear yet, but at least she gave up the diapers ;)

Julia is a chatterbox and very imaginative, she is sensitive and already shows compassion for others (always making sure everyone is ok and loves to line up her baby dolls and stuffed animals in her room, making a bed for each one of them on her floor at night time), she amazes us in what she already knows because she has a very suave way about imparting information ... she very nonchalantly shows off her skills when you least expect it.

Julia adores her big sister and is willing to let Emma have anything of hers (though I would have to say she did not learn this from her big sis). Julia wants for nothing, you can bring her to any store and ask if she would like something and she will say "no thanks". She is perfectly content being in the moment and has expressed very little desires for things, it's quite a beautiful trait ... I am pretty sure she gets this from her wonderful Daddy (if that is the case, the big concern will be, when she does ask for something it will be a pretty hefty purchase).

Julia has a sparkle about her that makes everyone feel good, she is a gift we will always be thankful for.

On Sunday we had a family and friends celebration, it was a Mulan party, which is Julia's favorite Disney princess movie. It was a wonderful day where Julia felt truly spoiled with love! Thank you to everyone who celebrated and sent birthday wishes! xoxoxo