Bands and Bonds

Ria has begun to think about her looks. She believes she is old enough to wear headbands like her big sister. When I strap her into the car, she touches my hair and says, "pretty hair!"

This morning when I woke her, she tickled my back and giggled. When I screeched a little and said, "You're tickling me!" she laughed and gave me a hug. She gives the best hugs ever.

Ely starts kindergarten in only three short days. She is a woman of the world in her own eyes. Very seriously, she explained to her Oma and Opa that she is going to a big school. We bought her a new dress for her first day, and she proudly showed it off.

I hope I can help these precious, delightful spirits navigate the morass that is the world around them. They are so beautiful, bright and strong!

The Stubbornness of Youth

This morning as I was getting the girls ready, Ria stood in the doorway and watched me do her sister's hair. I said, "go get your shoes and coat!" and she toddled off. When she returned, she brought her new shoes, a size and a half too big for her feet, with Little Miss Sunshine on them. Unlike the black shoes that fit her, they are bright and cheerful. I thought about telling her to get the others when I looked in her eyes. Plain as day, her big blue eyes held a stark challenge. She wanted to wear those shoes and was waiting for me to tell her no!

Well, with determination like that, who am I to get in the way?

X's and O's

Yesterday, I took Ria, my nearly-one-year-old daughter, to Burlington to look for coats for next year. I pulled out several sized 3T coats (because big coats mean at least two years of usage) and let her choose. I was glad she chose green and not Pepto-Bismol pink (which most of the girls' coats are) because it is a lot easier on my eyes. Though I would have supported the pink had she wanted it.

After choosing one for her sister, we went up to the front to pay. I let her carry her coat. When it was time to ring out, I told her to bring her coat so we could buy it. She toddled over with the world's largest grin on her face. I swooped her up and put the coat on the counter so the girl behind the desk could ring it up while I searched for my card.

Suddenly, Ria began covering me with kisses and hugs, her little body straining against my arm. She was jumping up and down and wound her little arms around my neck, squeezing with every ounce of energy in her. She was kissing and hugging so much that I couldn't swipe my card.

It was the absolute best feeling in the world. Totally made my day.

Caring, Sharing

This morning Ria tugged a little baby doll along with her when I took her out of her crib. This particular baby doll was a present to Ely for her birthday. I told Ria that it was her sister's doll, but I was sure Ely would share, Ely said, "Yes, you can play with it because the doll is both of ours."

What a sweet sharer.

Sick Sister

Ria was sick today with a fever. When I told Ely, she looked worried and asked, "Where is she sick?" I told her it was a fever and had her touch her sister's head, whereupon she got a horrified look and made a worried sound. She asked me if she could kiss her sister, and I said yes.

Ria turned away grumpily because she wasn't feeling well, so Ely just patted her hand and said, "poor baby Ria."

Mini Missionary

This morning as I chatted with my daughter, Ely, she told me about a new friend she met at her daddy's house. This new friend for some reason can't walk. She was telling me about this, and then interjected, "and she thinks Jesus isn't real, but He is, isn't He, mommy?"

I wasn't prepared for the sudden change in subject, but I confirmed for her that Jesus is indeed real, and that He is my friend. She then said, "but my new friend thinks He's just pretend. Jenny* at school thinks He's dead for always, but He's not."

I said, "That's right, He lives with Heavenly Father now, but He is alive again."

"Jenny thinks He's not here at all. Is He, mommy?"

"Well, sweetie. He lives with Heavenly Father. Sometimes He visits here, but He doesn't live here like we do. The Spirit is here, and tells us things in our hearts."

"Yeah, Jenny is wrong. Jesus loves us, huh?"

"Yes, He does."

Four years old, and already soaking in more doctrine than I thought she could comprehend. Already testifying. What humbling news for me. What a responsibility!

Almost Human

Last night as I was getting Ria in her chair to eat supper, I was babbling with her and made a little "yeah" sound. She repeated it almost perfectly.

Her sister Ely's eyes lit up and she said, "Mommy! Ria almost talked like a human!"

I responded through my suppressed laughter, "Ria is a human, honey. You mean she almost spoke like a big kid?"

She said, "Yes, or a little kid. Little kids can talk, but not babies, right?" I agreed. She said, "She is almost a human little kid!"