Three years already? Look at this big girl! Because her birthday is right around Christmas and most of our friends are busy with their families, we had Riley's birthday party at Chuck E Cheese this year with our family.
I had high hopes. We waited to bring her here for a special occasion. Three years around the sun definitely qualifies as such. I couldn't wait to see her explore all of the toys and games. And I was not disappointed! Jude, being the boy he is, loved this truck. He didn't want me to put the token in it and make it move, he just wanted to sit and pretend.
At first Riley wanted to spend her time on the slide and the only toy in the place that didn't need tickets. Nevermind that we got over 100 with our lunch package.
Then we finally got her to play some games that did require tokens. She was not disappointed and loved the game where she shot peanuts into jungle animals mouths. She beat Jude every time. But being the good winner she is, never threw it in his face. :o)
Next it was time to open some presents! Surrounded by her two grandmothers, she started digging open packages and bags. This was her favorite toy, the Simba and Nala she had been eyeing for months at Walmart. Her Memaw and Pepaw gave these to her. She sleeps with them every night. And most days, she offers Simba to Jude because "Simba is a boy and Nala is a girl."
She helped me make pink cupcakes with pink icing. This is the first time she has eaten cake, not the first time she has been offered it, but the first time she ate it willingly. She has really expressed a lot of interest in helping me cook and prepare foods lately. Every time I start to make something she says, "Can I help you?" as she is moving a bar stool towards the counter where I am working. I love this, even if she only makes a mess the majority of the time she is up there.
Opening a gift from her Nona and Poppi. I find it so cute that her Memaw helped her open this and her Nona helped her open the gifts from her Memaw.
I didn't think she would enjoy recieving clothing as a gift. From the look on this face, I was wrong. She LOVES the new "twirly dresses" her Nona and Poppi got her.
Riley Grace, these past three years have been eye-opening, humbling, wonderful, and such a joy because of you. You are becoming such a thoughtful person. You always offer Jude a hug or a toy when he is upset. It makes my heart glow when you say, "It's okay Jude, I'm here. I'm your sister." You share your toys (most of the time) with your friends and your "Bra-yer". You freely give hugs, kisses, and lots of "I love you's". You are so helpful when you help me cook, clean, and fold laundry (even if you are just helping me so you can use the empty laundry basket as a toy).
You drink out of a cup these days, but mostly like to drink out of your Minnie sippy cup. You also have stopped wearing diapers and wear big girl panties all the time. Oh, and how could I almost forget? You don't suck your thumb anymore! See what I mean about being a big girl?! You are there!
You're personality makes me giggle all day. You always want to make me laugh by doing silly dances where you just shake your whole body. You talk almost as much as I do about anything and everything. Please never stop talking to me about anything and everything. You like to sing into your microphone all day long, with one of your favorite lyrics being "all day long", although I'm not sure where that line comes from. You sing songs about Jesus and songs from Sid the Science Kid, still your favorite show. And when you have a question, you hold your hands out to the side of your body, palms up. One of the cutest things I've ever seen.
I think one of the things I love most about your blooming personality is the way you won't go to sleep without praying and we can't drive anywhere without your "Jesus songs". I love that you have such a love for the Lord. I pray that only continues to grow like wildfire as you get older.
I am beyond blessed to be your Mommy. I love the relationship we have and pray that it continues to grow as it has in the past three years. I love you more than you can know. Happy third birthday sweet girl. My cup runneth over.
