Afternoon at the zoo

A couple of weeks ago, Riley and I spent the first sunny weekend afternoon at the Hogle Zoo. We have a membership, so we go frequently, but this was, by far, the best trip yet. It could have been a combination of the great weather, happy mood, or Riley's rapidly developing independence, but she was a riot to watch.

She especially loved the spider-monkeys. We watched them for about 20 minutes.


She was very brave around the elephant sculpture, until it roared and she came running back to me.


Again, enthralled by the monkeys.


In this shot, i was trying to get a pic of the monkeys, but Miss Yaya's sweet little face was captured in the reflection.I think this is my favorite pic from the whole day! (Hint: look at the hole in the tree)


Proof of Riley-bug's independent nature. She wanted to be in front of me the entire time.


Bugga is loving the zoo! Good thing we just renewed our membership!


All tired out, but we stopped to watch the monkeys one more time.

Chuck E. Cheese

Riley and I met up with our friends Candace and Cody, and Cody's little boy, Ryan for a fun night at Chuck E. Cheese. She had a ball! It had all the elements of a great time for her...pizza, games, a playmate (who is the cutest little boy on earth), lots of noise and lots of excitement.


Riley and Ryan driving together. Isn't he cute? he has the most expressive eyes.

My girl takes the wheel. I'm teaching her young to be in the driver's seat.


She really liked the car. She comes by it naturally, I guess.


She liked the carousel as long as I didn't move too far away from her.


The "Hickory-Dickory-Dock Clock" ride was, far and away, her favorite thing there!


Love my girl! I can see our resemblence clearly in this pic.


She did her fair share of showing off on the slide.

Fun times for all of us! Thanks, guys! Let's do it again SOON!

Photo credits belong to Candace on this post. Thanks, girl!

Tickle-Monster

Every night....

Before baths

Before stories

Before prayers

Before bed....

the "tickle-monster" shows up.

But she produces laughs and giggles and cuddles and grins.






So we let her stay around.

A dress of her own making.

I have a little fashionista on my hands. Riley's favorite thing to do while i am sorting, washing, and folding laundry is to design new outfits for herself from the various pieces and parts.

She started this look by donning two of mom's sports bras around her neck and a camisole over it all. A brave look for a brave girl.

She tried on several socks before deciding to keep it barefoot.


Mom's green tank top was part of the original idea, but it didn't work with the look she was creating.


Oh, yes. The black and white accessory is actually some of mom's underwear, slung fashionably over one shoulder. It's important for your clothing to work multiple ways in this lean economy.


Miss Yaya takes a bow in the chic ensemble she created for herself. The girl will definitely be on "Project Runway" in a few years.



TA-DA! Givenchy, Michael Kors, Versace, eat your heart out. This girl is the real deal.

"Wackadoo"

Little Miss Riley has been a riot lately. She has always had her fair share of personality and attitude, but she is non-stop fun these days! A few things she's been up to:

Playing with her "bebe's" is a favorite pastime. This little purple one seems to be her favorite, but often I'll find three or four all tucked in somewhere together (usually wrapped in my dishtowels). She kisses, hugs, sings to them and puts them in time-out. So cute to see her imitate something I have done plenty of.




She put my hat on right after a bath, and refused to take it off. In fact, she wore it to bed.



For some reason, the "silky" has to be on her head when we read stories (reminiscent of her former life as a nun, perhaps? I don't know...)


Last weekend, she chose to accessorize her valentine pajamas with Harley's dog collar. Very fashion forward of the girl, I must say.


And, for your viewing pleasure, a few random videos I've been meaning to post.

This one was recorded at Christmas in California. She enjoyed playing my ipod through Papa Joe's earphones.


Next, Riley will dance for Oreos. M&Ms work, too.



Finally, Riley just learned to spit. It's charming. Just charming.



Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of the socks she flushed down the toilet, the lotion covered laundry or the diet pepsi she fed Harley, but these pics and vids give you a few ideas of how Miss Yaya spends her days. And why I am exhausted.

Riley's first sentences

Riley busted out with a few sentences a couple of days ago.


"No, Harley! Stop!" (He was trying to get the crayon she was coloring with)

and

"Mooooommmmmm.....NOOOO!" (I was committing the unspeakable crime of WASHING HER HAIR! *gasp*)

She uses these words all the time, but the fact that she used them together, in a sentence, stopped me in my tracks. My sweet baby girl is getting big. My sweet baby girl is also getting an attitude.

Riley update

It's been a while since I gave a little update on Riley's latest achievements. I used to do this on her monthly birthdays, but I'm a slacker, or a busy working single mom. Take your pick.

So, these days:

~Riley says a lot of words, but her faves and most frequent include: Pease (please), Took-too (Thank you), up, yes, no, numma-numma (which can mean anything from treat, drink, dinner, or I want to sit on your bed, depending on the context), har (Harley), don't (usually in a shrieky, don't mess with me, voice) and bed (when she's tired).
~ Favorite people: Madi (mad-mad) tops her list right now, Grandma Beckie, Aunt Becky (Beck-Beck), Caroline (her preschool teacher), and the guy at Smith's who wears the funny hats. She loves everybody, but these people are pretty high on her list.
~Can pick out red, blue, green and sometimes yellow. Her school is teaching this and I try to go over and over it with her at home. She seems to get it.
~Has memorized the book "fuzzy, fuzzy, fuzzy" and recites it with me in her own little language. My favorite is the page that says "a little bit bumpy" and Riley says "bita bita bumpa ba" in the exact same cadence.
~Folds her arms when we say prayers and then signs "all done" when we say "Amen". Oh well, she gets the concept, right?
~Is the pickiest eater I have ever seen. When all else fails, I can get her to eat corn, rotisserie chicken (and yes, it has to be rotisserie) saltine crackers, and any type of potato.
~Dances any time music is on but her favorite songs right now are "Just Dance" and "Single Ladies-Put a ring on it". She brings me my ipod and shakes her booty, which indicates she wants a little dance party to happen right away!
~Hates her shoes and socks and tries to take them off immediately in the car. After I catch her and tell her no, I will often see her peeking at me out of the corner of her eyes, and trying to sneak them off, anyway.