Smelly Elly

We say it lovingly.  And she doesn't take offense.  Smelly Elly is so much like her daddy.  She sleeps in rather awkward positions.  She gets super grumpy when she's hungry.  And she has the stinkiest toots in the world.  And she thinks it's hilarious.  She used to be so good at saying "Excuse me" but ever since we reached the potty humor stage with her it's all giggles.  We're working on it...
Ella has been working on doing chores with a smile lately.  It's been a bit of a struggle for her but she's getting there.  We currently have a garbage sack of toys that she's working on earning back.
Also this month, Ella has started working on not sucking her thumb.  After a trip to the dentist she decided it was time.  I have never really pushed it because my own mother tried absolutely everything to get me to stop so I know first hand that NOTHING works.  The dentist asked Ella if she wanted to grow bunny teeth and she said no and agreed to stop.  That night I could hear her in her room crying and I went in to see what was wrong.  "I want to suck my thumb but I'm scared that I'll grow bunny teeth."  So we talked about what he really meant and she's no longer scared but she's still trying.  She needs to be reminded regularly which makes it difficult when I'm busy with my own chores but we'll get there eventually.  Maybe not until peer pressure urges her to stop...but oh well.
Ella has made so much progress this last month in her letters.  We have been working on them for so long and she just couldn't seem to catch on.  Some were understandable mix-ups like B and D (both little and big)  Others she just wouldn't memorize.  I tried everything from bribing her with treats to learn to pointing out every letter we saw on walks.  Nothing.  Then I finally found the trick.  She loves playing games on the computer and I started letting her type in the website.  Once she started typing on the computer she decided it was worth learning her letters.  Now she can sit and watch Super Why and answer their questions before she gets told the answer.  We have also been working with her on actual reading which seems to have helped her interest in learning letters.  Either way, I feel confident that she will not have to repeat kindergarten when she gets there.
Ella is still my little planner.  She's planning Halloween already.  She is planning on being a pink ninja this year.  Other plans she has, heart cookies for Valentines day and she wants a teddy bear Birthday party because Grammy is hosting a teddy bear picnic tea party.
Ella claims to have two boyfriends.  At least one acknowledges the relationship.  Adam, her boyfriend of 3 years and TK her newest boyfriend.  TK is the one who acknowledges.  When going over to play with TK one day Ella was asking if "TK's other grown up girlfriend" would be there.  The grown up girlfriend is an adult CHDer who is usually at our playdates with TK(HLHSer like Livie)  Anyway, Ella was acting a little huffy about Jess being there.  I guess Ella just doesn't like to share her men.  Ella also has a pretend Adam.  I think he's a little more cooperative with the boyfriend thing than the real Adam.