Happily Ever After

I was driving back home after picking up a perscription for Carly.  Let me first say this is a MAJOR road, two lanes both ways and a center turning lane, got that?  mmmkay  So, as I said, I’m driving down this major road.  I see this woman walking on the shoulder coming towards me.  

 Oh look Riley, that woman has on a big boa, kinda like yours, except it’s black.  It’s big too, look it goes around her neck and touches the ground….  Oh nevermind Riley don’t look, don’t look.  Ick ick ick ick.

Mommy, that’s not a boa.  What is it?

Um, baby, that’s a snake.  A. HUGE. SNAKE.

I don’t like thnakes.  They creep me.

They creep me out too baby.  ICK.

Mommy what was that thnake’th name?  What is that girl’th name?

Creepy and Redneck I think Riley.

Oh OK.

Swear to God, if I’d had my camera in the car I’d have pulled over and asked her if I could take a picture.  That sucker was as big around as my thigh and had to be a good 10 or 11 feet long.  I guess she was just taking her pet snake for a stroll.  I guess it also could’ve been a boa, just not the kind I originally thought it was.

Dear Riley,

Today is your 3rd birthday. It’s so hard to believe that this time three years ago, Daddy and I were anxiously awaiting your arrival at the hospital. We were excited and a little scared to meet you. You amaze us every day with your wit and charm. You can totally go potty by yourself now. You can read Brown Bear Brown Bear cover to cover without missing a word. YOU even think you are very, very funny.

Last night you were playing animals with Daddy on the bean bag mountain. You have to make sure to make a river or pond so you can put the polar bear, dolphin and the hippo in. Then you set the tigers and lions on the ridge of the mountain so they can watch. Next you set up the trees and put the cows next to them. “Because they like the thade, mommy.” After you put the bull and the cow under the tree, the cow conversation went like this. “Hello cow, I’m a cow.” Then you put the donkey in the shade too. I guess because he kind of looks like a cow. Next, it was time for all the animals to take a nap. So you tipped them all on their sides and said “Go to sleep animals, it’s time to go to bed. Take a nap animals.” After about three seconds, nap was over. “WAKE UP ALL YOU ANIMALS. No more sleeping. It’s time for our show.” Daddy sets up the box for the animal show. All the animals except the pig, the sheep and the duck have to get in rows and watch the show. We all sing Old MacDonald, several times. Sometimes the animals take turns and get on stage, but mostly it’s the pig, sheep and duck that perform every night. After the show you build a ramp for the animals to walk into the box to go night-night. The crows “CAW CAW” as they fly in. Most of the animals can walk up the ramp and jump in the box. There’s a few that have to ride on the backs of the My Little Ponies to get in the box because the Ponies are “mathjic” and they can fly.

I think the animal play time is my favorite. It really shows your imagination coming out. You are such a smart thing. After animals, we boing to bed. We settle in for five or six books and you and Darly, as she calls herself, go to sleep in the new big girl bed. Before I turn in, I go in and check on you girls one last time. Take your sippys and cover you up. Carly is usually sideways already and you are all snugged in with Lucy Bear. I love this time when I can watch you as you sleep. My heart fills, I kiss you both, touch your sweet hair, and am thankful with how blessed I am to be your Mommy. I love you sweet girl.

Happy Birthday. Mommy

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We decided to get Riley and Carly a queen size bed for Riley’s birthday. I really wanted to get rid of the toddler bed and the crib. The room was really crowded. We debated getting twin beds so each girl would have their own. But after talking to a bunch of folks who had kids really close in age, we learned that they’d probably end up sleeping together anyway. So I figure this will work at least until they ask for their own rooms, a few years anyway.

Trying out the new bed.

Under the covers.

The Kiss.

Success.

Thanks so much Grandma & Grandpa!!  Thank you Mimi for replacing the Queen bed in the guest room.
 

Riley:

I like Hudson mom, he’s cool.  (He’s cool indeed, he’s a very gorgeous blonde child model.)

Really?  What other kids do you like in your class?

Adler, he’s cool too.  Actually, all the boys are cool.  Just the boys.  Not the girls.

Not the girls, huh?  Why?

Because boys are cool.  That’s all.

For some reason Riley is fascinated by the highway.  Every time we get in the car she asks if we’re on the high road (her version of the highway).  She asks about every 7 minutes if we’re on the high road.  After telling her no, we were just on a road, this wasn’t a highWAY about 10 times this morning, I decided to mess with her a little bit.

Mommy, are we on the high road yet?

Yep, we are Riley.  We’re on the highWAY.

No we’re not Mommy.  There’s no traffic lights on the high road.

Huh?  How did you know that?  Did daddy tell you that?

Yeeeeeeessssss.  He’s a smart daddy.

Isn’t she getting big?

A gift from Grandma and Grandpa G.

Riley holding a lady bug.

She taken up residence on our back deck.

I think she might be pregnant.  She’s created her web right by our back spot light.  She catches a LOT in her giant web.

I love this post.

Mommy, can you get me some more pink milk?
Sure Riley, just a second. (as I’m getting up…)
Can you get me some more pink milk?
Can you get me some more pink milk?
Can you get me some more pink milk?
(now I have her cup in my hand walking towards the kitchen)
Can you get me some more pink milk?
Can you get me some more pink milk?
(I stop and bend down to talk to her.)
Riley, can you see that I’m going to get you more milk?
Uh huh
Can you please stop asking me over and over?  I promise I will do it, but you only have to ask me once.  OK?
(blink)
Ok.  Mommy, can you get me some more pink milk?

Driving. me. CRAZY.  GAH!!