If You're Happy and You Know it

Ellie learned a new song at daycare! It seems that all of the songs she learns there have hand motions and other movements that go along with them, the newest song, "If You're Happy and You Know it" is no exception! I can't exactly remember how we learned she knew this song-- I think I just started signing it to her a few weeks ago and she surprised me with her accompanying motions.

We have since learned that when you sing "If you're happy and you know it (fill in blank)" she will do anything you sing for her to do. It reminds me of the movie Anchorman where Will Ferrell plays Ron Burgundy and he will read literally anything that is displayed on the teleprompter during his news reports. We've had her spin in circles, pretend to sleep, shake her hands up high, jump up and down (which is really her just pumping her little legs up and down one at a time because she hasn't mastered jumping yet), and give hugs. But, our favorite trick is to sing "take a bite" when she is having a particularly stubborn night and doesn't want to eat much of her dinner. She's finished a few grilled cheese sandwiches this way!

Her favorite part is when you sing "then your face will surely show it". She loves to push her little pointer fingers into those perfect chubby cheeks, smile and sway her head side to side like a metronome. It makes me laugh every time! Sometimes I just can't believe this funny little girl is really ours! We are so lucky to be her parents-- Ellie, you make us happy every day...and I hope you know it (you little ham!) ;)