Ellie-Kate-- 2011

Ellie-Kate is three years old, and she ADORES pre-school. In January, Christie took her to Emmy and Chelsea’s former pre-school, and Ellie-Kate really liked it. Christie mentioned that Ellie-Kate could go just as soon as she was potty trained, and Ellie-Kate decided to be potty trained that very day! (Should have tried THAT strategy before!!) She started school in February, but we soon discovered that the situation was very different than when the other girls were there. One little boy, in particular, had issues, and it was quite disturbing for Ellie-Kate. Although very sad, we decided that we just had to move her to another school. We chose First Friends Pre-School, and it has been awesome! The pre-school is located in a large church, and we know many people who attend the church or send kids to the school. The pre-school can use the open space in the auditorium (with all of the chairs up during the week) during indoor recess time, or the kids can play outside in the big playground when the weather is nicer. The teachers are great, and Ellie-Kate gets along so well with the other kids. When she enters, the kids chorus “Ellie-Kate,” rather like the greeting “Norm” on "Cheers." She loves to play with the boys a bit more than the girls, and we good-naturedly tease her about her “boyfriends.” A few weeks ago, Ellie-Kate fell, and we were making sure that she was okay. We asked her name, and she replied "Ellie-Kate.” Age? “Three.” Number of boyfriends? She piped right up and said “Five!” We knew that she was okay. Especially given her initial challenges, we are amazed at her physical abilities! When we were at the Women’s Final Four, Ellie-Kate participated (with Emmy) in the Circle City Dribble, dribbling basketballs for four blocks in downtown Indianapolis. Ellie-Kate maintained a steady dribble for the whole time, impressing onlookers, including some folks from Stanford! She can hit a softball off of a pitch, and she knocked one ball over 30 feet and over a fence. Like Emmy, she loves everything involving sports and music. Just a few days ago, Ellie-Kate made her first basket on an 8 foot hoop, and she's obsessed with trying now! Like Chelsea, she can be quite the diva. Ellie-Kate was in her first pageant in March, and she won the three and four year old division and earned her entry to the state pageant. She participated in the state pageant in May, and, well, let's just say that we were WAY out of our league! However, Ellie-Kate (and Chelsea!) had a great time. Like Britti, Ellie-Kate can be wise beyond her years. Like her mommy, she is a HUGE Disney fan (especially of Jasmine and Ariel). Ellie-Kate can now write her name, count to 30, and remember directions like a GPS. This fall, she started AWANA Cubbies and Movement Fun dance class. She likes her "big kid" activities! However, even though she’s very tall, we treasure being able to still lift and carry her, and we tell her daily (if not more) that she’s our precious baby girl.