Dat's My Name!

We've been working on the alphabet with Ella.  So far, she knows E and A.  She just doesn't learn from me very well I guess.  Anyway, now she sees an E and will say "Yook mom! It's my name!"  It doesn't matter what word it is.  If it has an E it IS her name.
Ella has been having a rough time lately.  I think she's getting the winter blues.  She's been very emotional and sensitive.  But still, she's an amazing girl and in between emotional outbursts she's sweet as can be.
Ella has found a few new favorites lately.  First, the Grinch.  The good one. The cartoon one.  And the other.   Now, don't judge. The Simpsons.  I know.  Not the greatest but she thinks it's hilarious when Homer says "Doh!"  She goes around saying "Homer says "dope!" mom!"  Yeah, dope.  She watches that with daddy sometimes.  Mommy sticks to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Sesame Street.  You know.  The boring educational stuff.
Ella is loving the Christmas season.  She loves redecorating the tree, rearranging the nativity set, eating snow (when there's snow to eat) asking to open presents, drinking hot cocoa, and the list could go on.  She even dictated a letter to Santa.  She asked for a unicorn, a dog, a pink toy, yummy treats, and for Santa to write back.  We then stick it in our fireplace and the next morning magic took the letter to Santa!  She was so excited.  It took a couple days but eventually she got a letter back from Santa.  Also, in the fireplace.  She's been looking for more letters ever since.  But, once reminded how busy he is making her unicorn she doesn't feel too bad when a letter isn't there.
Ella loves playing with her sister.  First thing she says to me in the morning "Mommy, my hands are clean.  I need to touch my sister."  I will never understand how Liv loves Ella practically laying on her to give her hugs but she does so they get along great.
Ella has made a ton of progress with potty training.  She's still kind of struggling to poop in the toilet.  Not sure why and it's frustrating for all of us since she holds it until her tummy is killing her but oh well.
Ella is getting so good at learning new songs.  She loves to sing I Love to See the Temple and Child's Prayer.  She also loves the "fa who" song from the Grinch.  And making up songs.  I think mommy has rubbed off on her and she'll turn sentences into songs.  It's pretty funny.
Ella is still playing with her imaginary friends.  She makes up the weirdest names for them too.  I can't remember any of them but they're usually just gibberish.  When we're not using Liv's IV stand during the day, that is Ella's friend.  It's so funny watching her talk to an IV stand.
Well, it's late and I must be off.  Sorry, no pictures.