I have just been sitting back and watching my Riley lately and the pride that starts swelling up within me all the way from my toes to my heart is just about to explode. We were all "strap in for 3" and really, he couldn't be any sweeter. He obviously has his moments where the whining starts and where the not listening gets the better of him but overall we have one very well behaved, content, happy, well-adjusted 3-year-old. He is so much fun to be around and just a little smile or hug from him keeps me going long after my exhaustion level has bottomed out.
At the end of the day after Lyssa Lu is in bed we all trek back to Riley's room and he lays sandwiched between Daddy and me while we whisper goodnights and love you's back and forth. Every night he recites "me check yours feets and make sure they are up on mine bed." Without a doubt he gets up and has to check our feet. I think this means that if our feet are up on the bed he feels secure that we aren't going to make a break for it. He has also started asking for "one more hug pees." This has replaced his need to grip our shirts tightly so that we can't go anywhere. When Daddy picked him up for that one more hug last week he said "this is my favvvvorrrrite part Daddy," and as soon as Daddy laid him back down he said "but this is not my favorite part." Haha...you almost got to sleep with Mommy and Daddy!
I was lying with him this weekend while Daddy was getting Lyssa down when he asked me "seep in mine bed forever Mommy, you not need to seep with Daddy." I said forever!? What do we do when the sun comes up tomorrow morning? to which he replied "go fishing of course Mommy!"
Have you seen the recent video of the fallen Navy SEAL and his dog who laid in front of his casket during the whole funeral service? We watched it recently and didn't even realize Riley was paying any attention and apparently he was because he started asking questions about why he had to die and if he was in heaven. He told us that it made him so sad and that he wants to lay with hig doggy like that. Broke my heart that something we watched unintentionally caused his little heart to hurt. He is young enough though that he was able to forget that SEAL after hugs and reassurance from us, I unfortunately was not able to and thought of him with tears long after Riley's bedtime. So thankful that my boy has a soft heart that is full of compassion and love for others.
We visited a new church this weekend for a baptism and a young group rapped and danced to 3 or so songs (somewhat awkwardly) but also somewhat entertaining especially if you were Riley. He nodded his head front to back with the beat and when one of the guys started breakdancing he tugged on my skirt and begged me "I want to do that Mommy, I want to be up there and do that with them Mommy, come with me peese?" Haha, no thanks little man. I was able to talk him out of it and instead he sat in his seat and started doing the actions along with the rest of us. So yesterday at Nana's house he apparently started breakdancing to the Go Diego Go theme song and my Mom couldn't figure out what he was doing and where he learned it from. Even after he told her church (turch) she still didn't get it until she talked to me and I almost peed my pants laughing. He's got rhythmn, yes he does!
After his last dentist appt we were told he was able and ready to move up to big boy toothpaste so he chose some SpongeBob stuff (I strongly dislike SpongeBob.) in fruit flavor or something. Without a doubt he tells me everynight "this toothpaste is picey (spicey) Mommy." It smells like candy and is neon blue in color so spicy isn't exactly the descriptive word I expected to hear from him!
We attended pre-school orientation on Tuesday and there was a TON of families there. He immediately said "I miss my Lyssa and Daddy." We met his teacher whom I have already known for many, many years and filled out some forms. While all the other kids were playing he sat in my lap and just took it all in. He asked questions about whether or not I would be going to school with him...break my heart...and he was a bit nervous about there being that many people in his class. I tried my best to explain to him how much fun he will have and that these kids were here with their whole families (seriously...you just had to bring all 4 of your kids, the grandparents and the dog with you!?-just kidding about the dog) and when he goes to school it will only be the little kids and his teachers. Try explaining this all the while staring at his cute, concerned face when I felt like crying too! I am just not ready for a pre-schooler and stop it with the "what's the big deal?" The big deal is that he has never been without his immediate family, the people who love him dearly and unconditionally. He has never had his feelings hurt without one of us near enough to help break down the situation and make everything better. Yes, I know he needs to learn that sooner or later but this is
my baby boy and I am just not ready. He is so kind and sensitive which worries me that he will get shy and intimidated and end up being a wallflower. Thankfully this is a Christian school, the same one that started my education all those years ago and I know that the teachers will love him similiar to us. I know that he will be fine. I know that he will LOVE it. I know that all and still it will break my heart to drop him off Wednesday morning and kiss my big boy goodbye.
How fast you have grown my sweet boy. Mama loves you
this much!...and will be there to pick you up Wednesday for a special lunch and nap just the 2 of us.
Get cuter, why don't ya!?
