Why look at you Miss Fancy Pants!

As the mother to a little girl, I knew a day would come when she would want to pierce her ears. That was one decision Jeremy and I agreed upon early on, that Riley would not get her ears pierced until she wanted to. So whether she asked at 2, 8, 12 or 20 she would get them when she wanted.

So many parents get their little girl's ears pierced when their still infants. I wanted it to be a decision Riley could make on her own and that we could make a big deal out of. Recently Riley asked about getting her ears pierced. Being the ever so matter-of fact mother that I am, I informed Riley of how they conduct an ear piercing. I told her the truth. I told her it would hurt for a minute, but then it would be fine. Riley retracted her wish for earrings.

A few weeks later (which happened to be a few days ago) Riley cried - yes real tears - that she didn't have her ears pierced like Dora in the Dora and the Explorer Girls series. This was on Tuesday. I told her then that if she still wanted them pierced on Friday, she could have it done. I then enlisted the help of my friend Marisa to be on standby and that she would come with me if Riley really wanted to get them done because I knew Jeremy couldn't handle it.

Today after school I asked her if she still wanted to go. She said yes! I was shocked. I called the Claire's to make sure there would be 2 people working. There was and so off we went!!!

She was so brave. She picked out the earring she wanted (with no help from myself or Marisa) - she chose a flower with different color stones for each petal. She was fine until they had the piercing guns to her ears...then you could see there was a bit of "oh no what did I get myself into" in her face. But 1, 2, 3 - it was done. There were tears, lollipops and a giant roll of Smarties that helped her forget about the pain. It was done. She stood in the store and stared in the mirror for a little while admiring her new jewels.

The walk through the mall to go home was great. Her head was held high and she walked with a new confidence. Riley grew up just a little more today...and believe it or not, I loved every minute of it. It was exactly how I thought it would be.

Punchers!!!

Aunt Laurie, you have been asking for mommy to post a video of me. So we thought me beating you at boxing (or punchers as I like to call it) would be a hilarious video to post!!! Love you and can't wait to beat you, um I mean see you, again!!! :)

We have a 3-year-old

It's hard to believe that Riley is 3. It seems like just yesterday she entered the world with a bang!! Riley is truly her own little person. She is chatty, funny and creative. Jeremy and I feel very lucky to call this little girl ours.

This past year we lived through the terrible 2's (without a doubt), so we're hoping that we're well on our way to the terrific 3's.

We did not have a huge birthday party this year (in case you haven't heard we're in the middle of packing up to move), but we did have a small family party which was equally as much fun. I took far too many pictures to post, but you can view them here.

And of course - a picture of Riley for each year of her life for past 3 years. It's unbelievable how much she has changed.

A few days old

1-year professional pics

2-year professional pics

3-year professional pics

That must have been some wish!

About a month ago we went to the Buffalo Zoo and while there Riley threw some coins into a fountain and we told her to make a wish. I'm thinking her wish must have been to find the perfect house for us because that very weekend Jeremy and I went to see a house that he had been eyeing for a few weeks.

That Saturday we saw the house and found it to be perfect!! And so began the house buying process. We submitted an offer that night and by Monday night we were told that they accepted our offer. Everything after that has been a whirlwind - inspections, mortgage rates, lots of signatures, radon tests, etc. I actually don't even understand the half of it - but thankfully Jeremy does.

Either way, we are all very excited to purchase our very own home. Jeremy and I did this all on our own and couldn't be more proud of ourselves. We're hoping that the move happens in early September. As soon as the house is officially ours, after the last signature has been signed and keys have been handed over I will post some pics of our lovely new home!

10 months later...

I have been yelled at by Riley's loving godmother (and my baby sister) that I have been slacking in the blogging department. I promised her a video interview of Riley, but there was no way that was happening today. Riley was way too hyper to try and tape her. So I went back to when I had interviewed Riley one night during dinner back in October. I took the questions I asked her then and asked them to her now just to see how much things had or hadn't changed. Here is what I discovered:


What is your name?
Riley

How old are you?
(no words just held up her fingers to represent 2). When I followed up with how old will you be she just changed her fingers to hold up 3.

When is your birthday?
August 21st

What is your favorite color?
Green was her first response, but then said "and white" and then said, "I like all the colors"

What is your favorite toy?
My Easel

What is your favorite movie?
Another great answer "Aladdin (short pause) and Beauty and the Beast (another short pause) and both Lion Kings (that's the original Lion King and Lion King 1 1/2 for those not familiar)

Who do you like most Dora or Diego?
Dora AND Diego

What is your favorite drink?
Chocolate milk AND water

What is your favorite food?
Fish sticks (which she only eats at school, so I was a little caught off guard by her answer)

What is your favorite snack?
Brownies (I am convinced that she only answered this because we just made brownies together the other day and requested one as her after dinner snack AFTER already having some cookies and milk)

What is your favorite animal?
"Safari" to which I clarified, "so a giraffe" and Riley replied "yes, a giraffe."

What is your name?
Riley Paige Clark

Who do you think you look like mommy or daddy?
Daddy (last time she said mommy - I'm glad to see she has better eye sight as she has gotten older)

Who is your best friend?
"Everyone is my best friend"

Who is your favorite teacher at school?
Miss Carol (that hasn't changed)

Who is your best friend at school?
Alex

What is your favorite song?
We Go Duck (she at least stuck with Justin Roberts on this one)

What is your favorite video to watch on the computer?
Old MacDonald

What is your favorite book?
STINKYFACE (or I Love You, Stinkyface)

What is your favorite store?
Target (I wonder if she realizes how close we will soon be living to Target??)

What is the most naughty thing you've ever done?
Say shut up words

What was your favorite part of today?
practicing letters


It's amazing to me how so much yet so little has changed!!

As for that video interview, I'll get it...soon I hope!