Martha at 3 years

Martha is now three years old! She has definite likes, dislikes, and opinions. We were noting the other day that the year between 2 and 3 has been quite dramatic in terms of language development.
Among Martha's favorite books are: Camp Granada(which we found on the street), Sticky People, and So Much. She will spend quite a long time listening to stories (we've yet to reach her limit and would probably read to her all day if we were willing) and increasing amounts of time reading books to her various dolls and babies, or to her baby brother.
Her favorite colors? Pink and yellow and red.
Martha's most requested songs are "The Old Man Died" (Grandfather's Clock) and "Oh My Darling" (Clementine). But check her out singing another classic, "Lily the Pink."
Martha's favorite toys are her doll house and her babies, though she sometimes likes to play games such as Match and she claims an interest in her blocks.
Martha prefers pasta, broccoli, chicken, and peanut butter and honey sandwiches.

Martha is quite a good walker and runner these days. We've been taking lots of little hikes in nearby Tilden Park, the Berkeley Marina, and just on the streets near our home, and she can go for almost two miles with only mild complaints. Usually the offer of a game of chase or a strategically thrown/kicked tennis ball will keep her going a bit longer. Martha's also more and more of a climber, and enjoys jumping and dancing.



Here she is running and splashing in puddles;











watching her first puppet show, at Fairyland in Oakland;













pushing her brother in the stroller;










reading with Grammy and Walter









and Daddy, Great Uncle Nev, and Great Aunt Mand;










telling her brother "NO!" and looking forward to sushi;









painting at MoChA;













enjoying the garden;












playing with her alligators and farm animals and













sampling quiche with various Johnstons, also in the garden;






pulling Cousin Noah in the wagon;











running at the Marina;














celebrating at her friend Leah's 3rd birthday party;














opening birthday cards;










and enjoying her backyard birthday party with loads of friends and relatives.