My perfect three year old

Rory at 3:

Says something along the lines of "thank you for making us dinner mom. it's delicious" most nights. 

Has more than one book memorized and about 5 million songs (including the greatest showman soundtrack, every Daniel Tiger song, and several hymns and Taylor Swift songs)

Can keep up with adults in conversation with ease. 

Tells papa often that she's brave enough to ride horses, but jury is still out on whether that's true. 

Is a little on the bossy side, which most often I can appreciate. Ain't nobody going to step on our girl.

Loves "spinny dresses" (meaning any dress) and has a tribe of stuffed animals that she mothers. 

Is more excited than anything to be a big sister and talks/sings to/kisses my stomach every single day.

Is still an introvert like her mom and dad, but is starting to love playing with friends more and more.

Finally has hair! And curls at that! We waited a long time for this moment and are loving it.

Has really hard three year old moments, but makes up for them with sincere apologies and songs.

Has started to argue with me like an adult. It can be maddening....and sometimes hilarious.

Can mostly be reasoned with, though she's so smart that it HAS to be thorough reasoning. 

Is pretty obedient to her ok-to-wake light and once it goes off comes to our bed to cuddle. It's one of our favorite times of day- just unstructured time to snuggle as a family. 

Jay has started working from home and at least twice per day she asks if she can go down and give him a hug and kiss if she goes very very quietly. If he's not on a call I always say yes because somehow she's always true to her word and goes silently then comes straight back. 

Loves pink and purple and balloons and crowns and purses. and tutus and all things little girl.

Thanks Heavenly Father for Jesus and mom and dad and Boo and the baby in every prayer. 

Calls her personal prayers before bed "little girl prayers" and always tells me I can say the family prayer then she will say the little girl prayer. I once commented on how well she slept the night before and she responded, "it's because I said a prayer that I would have good dreams", which she does pray for nightly.

Is still a clean little chunk and is on the verge of a panic attack anytime she spills on her clothes or has something sticky on her hands. 

Thinks it's fun to sleep in the baby's crib and sleeps there some nights since it's set up in her room. 

Had a birthday party where all of her people showed up, which included some of her nursery friends, 7 year olds and teenage kids, my college roommates, our neighbors, her great grandparents, and my visiting teacher. She has the ability to engage and make friends with most anybody.

Any time my dad or Jay said happy birthday to her (she shared a birthday weekend with Father's Day this year) she responded with "Happy Father's Day" and was happy as anything to share her day with them. We love her more than words can say and are so proud of the intelligent, thoughtful, clean, empathetic, independent, and loyal little person she's becoming more of each day.