Forever from here

"Mom, I can see forever from here."

Then...

"Mom, how far is forever?"

Then...

"Mom, I want all of forever."

Me, too, baby.

Me. too.

How her mind works

(Memory Grove, July 2011)

"What are you thinking about, Riley?"

"Just about life....and maybe getting a coke."

I love how her mind, at any moment, can encompass both the deep and the daily.

Summer Solstice Wishes

Riley in her favorite "Gypsy" outfit

Riley and I were driving home from swimming lessons today, when the topic of wishes came up. I had told her that today was the first day of Summer, that it was called the Summer Solstice and that I had always heard that it was the best day of the year to make wishes. She asked me what I wished for, more than anything else.

I told her that I wished that she'd always know how loved she was, that she'd always be full of imagination and brightness and creativity, that her life would be one she would be excited about and proud to live. I wished that her determination and stubbornness would be great strengths for her, and allow her to get what she really wanted out of her life. I continued on, saying I wished that I'd be able to teach her by my example to be kind and generous to others, to be loving and open to everyone, and be strong and steadfast in her values and beliefs. I wished that she'd know how important honesty and integrity were, and understand that people and relationships are always more valuable than money or objects. I wished that she'd desire a good education, and someday that she'd have the opportunity to make her mark on this world in whatever way was right for her. Finally, I told her that I wished that I'd always be the best mother I could be for her and that while I wish and hope that our family will grow to include others, that we'll be a happy and loving family always, regardless.

I was blinking back tears when I finished my little diatribe on my wishes, a bit overcome with how strongly I felt about all of these wishes and overwhelmed with the love I felt for her and the gratitude I felt for our lives right in that moment.

I asked her what she wished for most of all, and her blue eyes met my brown eyes in the rear-view mirror. She looked a little baffled about my lengthy answer to what she clearly thought was a simple question.

"Um....I just wish for GummyBears...but yours is good too."

Well....ok then.


*Whether they are deep and complex, or simple and sweet, may all your Summer Solstice wishes come true*

Riley-isms

This girl....She keeps me on my toes.
A few nights ago, I heard Riley tossing and turning in her bed for more than an hour, muttering to herself that she "just didn't know", and "just couldn't remember".
Finally, I went in and asked if there was something on her mind.
She turned on her side, looked at me very seriously, and said "Mama, I just can't remember."
"Can't remember what?" I asked, trying to figure out what could be so important that it was keeping her from falling asleep.
"I just can't remember...what it was that Peter Piper Picked?!"
"Uh....you mean... a Peck of Pickled Peppers?" I replied, shocked that this is what had kept her up.
"Oh, yes! That's it. Thanks, Mom!"
And she rolled over and fell right to sleep.

**************************************
Last night, Riley asked me where we could buy a Daddy that could go to church with us on "Church Days" and a little sister who we could name Olive.

I told her we'd look at Costco tomorrow.

If only it were that easy, huh?

(I have no idea where she came up with the name 'Olive' but I actually really dig it.)

**************************************

It wasn't obvious to me at first....

But when she struck this pose, her words all made sense.

"Lama Stay" = Namaste.

Or maybe, the large South American pack animal in me honors the large South American pack animal in you.

Either way, I love this girl.

She said

Another recent conversation with Riley:

Me: "Why were you in time-out?"
Riley: "I hit you and kicked Harley."
Me: "Does it work to throw fits in Mama's house?"
Riley: "No."
Me: "Do you have something you want to say to me to help make things right?"
Riley: "Umm.....Good Luck?"

What She Said

Her pink "buggie" hat she made herself.

Riley has been saying some very funny, very articulate things lately. She uses such big words for an almost three year old, and she uses them correctly. "Complicated", "dangerous" and "situation" are just a few that come to mind right off. I am trying to stay in the habit of writing the really fun ones down so they are remembered and shared. Just a few of them...

**We were in the grocery store and Riley rounded a corner, encountering a slippery floor. She went down, and the group of firemen who happened to be right there fussed over her, trying to help her up. She pushed them away, pulled herself up, brushed herself off, leveled them a lethal look, and said to these men "so not the drama" while flouncing off, determined to put this little embarrassment behind her. I could hear them laughing about it several aisles away.

**We were driving home a few evenings ago and I was giving her the standard "when we get home, I want you to brush your teeth and change into your PJ's" talk. She started arguing and I argued right back. Instead of crying or whining, she put her head in her hands dejectedly and said "I'm freaking out! I'm just FREAKING OUT!"

**I overheard her talking to "Lydia" (her imaginary friend) and apparently Lydia was not going along with Riley's plans. Riley told her, very succinctly, "my way or the highway, girlie". I guess Lydia fell in line after that. I didn't hear any more out of either of them.

**We left Baby Nuggets at Grandma Nita's, so Grandma had to mail her back. (Can't be without Baby Nuggets for too long, after all). When I told Riley that Grandma sent Baby Nuggets back, she was happy but was more concerned that Grandma didn't come with her. I told her Grandma had stuff to do at home. She replied, disgustedly, "I always knew my Grandma Nita was lazy." For the record, my Mom is anything but lazy, but now we call her Lazy Nita around here.

*She asked me where her Dad was, and I told her he was probably sleeping. She said "But it's wake-up time. He's not sleeping." I said that he worked all night so he was tired and she informed me that her Daddy was not tired, he was "a bundle of joy." Again, not sure where she came by this information, but I can attest that her Dad is NOT a bundle of joy when he's tired.

She's such a funny kid. I wish I could record everything that comes out of her mouth.

Superhero

This exchange came out of nowhere this morning...

"Mama, you are STRONG!"

"It's because I exercise and eat food that's good for me."

"Mama, are you healthy?"

"Yes, Riley, I am healthy."

"Mama, you are so pretty!"

"Thanks, baby. I think you are so pretty!"

"Mama, do you love me sooo much?"

"Yes, Riley, I love you so so so soooooo much!"

"Mama, I know what you are!" *Excited clapping*

"Really? What am I?"

"You're a superhero! You're MY superhero!"

*tears and smiles all around*