Two and a Half

On March 1st, Mackenna turned 2 1/2. You are my child in every way. You are headstrong, independent, and particular. You're also your father's daughter in every way. Headstrong (notice that is both of us) smart, and a hands-on learner. You and your Dad have a lot of special things you do together, like drive his truck down the camp road and the driveway, fills your sippy cup with a splash of coffee on the weekends, always shares his cereal with you, get the pellets from the basement for the stove, and you love to help him sweep the garage. 

Your comfort item is a blanket. You haven't gotten attached to any stuffed animals, and although you love all blankets, there is a special "purple blanky" you love the most. (Its pink but you call it purple.) You also love to grab your little sisters blankets and state to us that "Baby Toa share with me!" 

You are picky. You like certain cups, certain spoons, and certain pajamas. There is little negotiating with you once you have your mind set on what you want. 
Your memory is like no other. You remember the smallest things from weeks ago that I thought you passed by without noticing. You know just where something is that belongs to you. 
You are a creature of habit. You fall apart when a routine comes unraveled. Every morning you wake up and get dressed, have a snack, than have a snack in the truck on the way to preschool, than promptly need a snack when you arrive in your classroom. If there is any deviation to this plan, you aren't having it.
Your strong will for what you want can often lead to a temper. 
You are outgoing. You are the opposite of shy. You love to be the center of attention. You are friendly to whomever you meet, and willing to socialize with or without mom and dad around.
You are a helper. Clean the house with mom, do the dishes, help mom and dad get ready for work. 
You are a great eater. You don't eat everything, but do love variety. Olives, pork, chicken, egg, turkey, sandwiches. You try anything even, and prefer to snack all day rather than eat meals.
You are independent. For a few months now, you have been potty trained, sleeping in your own bed, and able to dress yourself. We always hear you say "No, ME do it!" or "I do it all me-self!"
You are smart. You can sing your ABC's, and count all numbers 1-20, well, mostly. Sometimes you skip from 11 to 16. 
You are neat. You take your boots off when you come in the door. You put your bowl in the sink after you are done with your cereal. If you spill any milk on your table, you go right to the towel drawer in the kitchen and wipe it.
You are a great big sister. You share, you hug and kiss, and you love to tickle your little sister who you called "Baby Toa."  If she's not in the first room you see when you wake up or get home from school, you immediately ask where she is. You always say "baby Toa is funny!"