A birthday letter

Today, our baby turns 2. I can't even wrap my mind around the fact that we have had Riley in our life for two years. I remember the first few days at home from the hospital when I almost felt like we were playing house and a moment's notice, someone was going to come and take her away. Instead, gladly, we have had these two years and we have packed a lot of living in these days...never taking one minute for granted. I have always wanted to write a letter to Riley each year on her birthday and one year, when she hates me and is calling me names because I hate her boyfriend, or perhaps on her 18th birthday, she will get the collection of these letters. I wanted to start this tradition last year but crazy party planning got in the way - so this year - this second year, we will start it off right.

Dear Riley,
Thank you. Thank you for teaching me to laugh and to love more than I ever knew was possible. Thank you for teaching us that we can worry and fret over every bump and fever and you still show us what a strong girl you are. Thank you for giving me a chance to be your Mom.
My favorite time of the day is snuggling with you in the morning or before you drift off to sleep. This is a rare time when you actually sit still and allow me to snuggle and "get comfy" as you say. Your hand, reaching up for my face and three words make it all worth it, "Lull you Mommy." Of course, your version of I love you and I love it all the same.
Your Daddy can't wait to get home every day and see you as you greet him with wild shrieks by the door. He is your rock star -- and Murphy, your pony. You will be a fabulous big sister and I know this next year will be hard -- sharing is something we all need to work on but you will rock it all the same.
And your laugh... Your laugh is the best one I have ever heard. Your gap-toothed smile is quite cute and your tugs of my shirt to cover my ever growing belly is something to be proud of. I believe that you think you are protecting me. Nervous about my doctor visits, you warn others, "No hurt Mommy, No hurt Baby." And for that, I again thank you.
But I must admit, you are a wild woman. Crazy lady are the words I sometimes use. Your spunky and bold and very stubborn. You are a leader and love to boss people around, including me and Daddy. But, I wouldn't change a minute because you're going to be a lady that no one is going to mess with. And I love that.
So Riley, on your second birthday and on every day, I want you to know that you are my girl. You will always be my girl no matter how many candles are on your cake. Thank you for bringing us the best joy and love we have ever felt and thank you for sharing this crazy, wonderful life with us.
Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Counting

I remember my Mom and Dad were surprised that I had friends as a child. I was (and still am) so bossy. I'm afraid Ms. Riley is the same way. I would hold "school" in the backyard for neighborhood kids complete with a chalkboard and packets of homework sent home for them to finish and return with a parent signature. Evidently I thought Florida had a lack-luster educational program at a young age.

I recently painted the pantry door with chalkboard paint so I had space for my to-do and grocery lists while Riley had space to "draw circles" as she says.

The other morning, and of course, clad only in a diaper, I caught her holding her own little school session. She enjoys counting and can be heard repeating, "1, 2, 3.." throughout the day. I just hope she doesn't start recruiting the neighborhood kids over to "play school" with her...or if she does, hopefully she'll put some more clothes on!

A Cowgirl is Born

On Saturday, we had the pleasure of taking Riley to ride with friends of ours, Amy and Jason. They live on a beautiful estate devoted to horses and since Riley has been so interested in horses lately, we couldn't pass up a chance to take her. Not to mention Amy and Jason are so patient and loving with her, we knew she was in good hands.

It was an awesome, memorable day for sure and we are so happy that Riley could let out her inner cowgirl. In fact, while riding Dancer, she could be heard quietly repeating, "Yee-haw." (Video below slideshow)

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Lovin' on Lizards

Sometimes I look at Riley and marvel that she is my daughter. How could such a beautiful, smart little girl come from Dan and I? Or, on really bad days, I think....uh oh, we are going to have two of these.

Today was one of those days where I was thinking - where does she get this from? And then I remembered, her Dad! I have long been freaked out by all little critters from lizards and frogs to snakes and alligators. Not Riley. She can't get enough of them. So it should probably come as no surprise to me that she had adopted this "pet lizard" on our front porch. She would go out and say hi to him, want to touch him, and even managed to get pretty close to kissing him one day before I yanked her little head away.

We were outside, admiring the lizard for the millionth time that day when Dan came home from work. He announced that is was probably time to let the lizard go back into the wild, so to speak, so he could live and what-not. I didn't really see the point but Riley was psyched to have a chance to get up close and personal with the little guy. Here is the lizard lady in action.

Easter Day

We awoke Easter morning to find bunny tracks leading into our house and quite conveniently, into Riley's playroom where the furry guy himself stashed her basket.

(PS. The Easter Bunny used an old car-washing sponge, an exacto knife to carve some bunny toes, and flour to make these tracks. He also put them in the driveways of other kiddies in our neighborhood and sporadically around the neighborhood lake.)

After a yummy brunch of quiche, french toast casserole, and fresh-picked strawberries, we embarked on an egg hunting adventure. Riley would squeal in delight, "More eggs!" each time she discovered another one.

We rounded our afternoon out with a small egg hunt with a few neighbors. The three kids hunted for over 200 eggs. Riley was a bit overwhelmed at this point and made a few dashes to the sand pit instead of the eggs. After some coaxing from her best little buddy, Mariah, she was back on track.

This picture pretty much sums up the day. "AAAAAHHHHHHH."

After naps, we enjoyed a delicious dinner cooked by Dan: lemon-pepper salmon prepared on the grill, green beans, garlic mashed potatoes and dinner rolls. We ate on the lanai enjoying the breeze and company. What a great (and exhausting) Easter!

'Twas the night before Easter

Twas the night before Easter and Mommy was tired. Baskets had to be stuffed, baked goods to be made, and crafts lay waiting on the kitchen counter. Our house was a flurry of activity.

I had somehow convinced myself that I was Martha Stewart and would all of a sudden become crafty.

Riley's basket was pretty simple, filled with a spring cup and plate, finger paints and necklace/bracelet (see below), a few eggs and lollipops, and of course, the almighty cookie. Riley was insistent that the Easter Bunny bring her "TWO COOKIES." Nilla Wafers, her favorite, were stuffed inside some Elmo eggs.I also made the "Easter" cake that I remember my Mom making us back in the day. Green-colored coconut topped a white cake and frosting. I also added some jelly beans as "eggs" and a few Peeps for good measure. Those sugary little guys are also Dan and Riley's favorite sugary treat. I got the idea for the edible finger paints and the edible jelly bean bracelets from a much craftier lady than me and her awesome blog ---
At last -- it was time to go to bed - and start the Easter madness in the morning.

Type A Personality: Meet Egg Dying

Dan and I "enjoyed" our first egg decorating experience with Riley. Well, I think I enjoyed it a bit more. Not something that is usually expected from Dan, but when it comes to projects, he likes everything to be perfect. Riley was chucking the hard-boiled eggs into the color-coded bowls (thanks to me) and Dan had to refrain her from spilling the colored water everywhere. Hey, she's two, what do you expect, right? I found it entertaining at least and Riley seemed to have a good time.

Notice from the video two things - Dan's obsession with her staying clean (not mine) and Riley's love of the color green!

An outdoors kind of girl

I'm not one of these. Ask anyone I know. My science teacher in college used to call me "nature girl" in a teasing fashion as we schlepped through the SWFL swamps - me in my skirt and wedge sandals.

So it may come as a surprise to some that the past couple of days have been filled with outdoor activities for our little family.

On Good Friday, Dan had the day off and we more than happy to have him with us all weekend! We started the day off with some friends at a local beach. Riley looked so sweet in her polka dot bathing suit, slathered down in 50 SPF sunblock with a too-small hat.

She loved playing in the sand, hanging out in the "too cold' water, and tagging along with the big kids. I even put on a bathing suit, but rarely ventured out from under the protection of my umbrella. Dan entertained the kids and even a few strays along the way getting them to buy into the idea that digging a big hole was the best idea ever.

On Saturday morning, despite a low-fever for Riley, she was in great spirits. We decided to continue with our plans to ride our bikes to a local u-pick. The air, cool and crisp, was perfect as we rode down the street. I even managed to catch Dan with Riley in tow in front of me with my camera phone. She was given a small basket while we had a larger one and we set to locate the reddest strawberries we could find. She even managed to sneak a few in her mouth. "Mmmm, good strawberry," she would say.

We returned home to wash our treasures and to begin the process of egg dying, which is a whole other story....