What can I say, I can't believe Riley is 6! Wow, time has flown by and it's hard to believe I've been a mom for 6 years already! Riley is at a really fun at right now. As many of you know, Riley has an endless amount of energy. Thankfully we are channeling that into gymnastics and lots of other activities throughout the week.
I know all parents say it, but she really is a smart little thing. She started Kindergarten this fall and although she's not in a traditional school (I am homeschooling her and Lincoln) she's doing great. It really is such a fun experience for us all, I absolutely love being able to watch her learn and discover new things. She seems to be enjoying it as well but often gets confused when people ask her what school she goes to or who her teacher is. She is a VERY social child and I am thankful that even though we are homeschooling she is still able to go to MOPS and BSF during the week. She's also doing gymnastics and AWANA which she loves. I am thankful to have her in other activities because she loves to be "busy".
I think, more than anything, Riley's 3 favorite things are 1. crafts, 2. Lincoln and 3. Emmersyn in no particular offer. First of all, she would sit at the kitchen table and color or draw or do something crafty ALL DAY LONG. Seriously, getting her to put down a crayon/marker/scissors/glue is like torture. However, if she's not drawing she's playing with Lincoln. It's so interesting to see the different relationships she has with her siblings. She and Lincoln have such a "best friend" relationship and Riley and Emmersyn have a "mother/daughter" relationship. I've said it before, but Riley would be lost without Lincoln and vice versa. They are seriously inseparable. The great thing is, is that they also very rarely fight or argue. Riley has such a people pleasing personality that if there is some kind of issue between them Riley almost always gives in. She's so sweet! R and E LOVE each other! Their relationship seems to have blossomed even more since they are sharing a room. Riley refuses to fall asleep unless Emmersyn is in her room and when Emmersyn wakes from a nap she calls for "I-ya" (that's what she calls Riley). Riley will often get Emmersyn out of her crib in the morning and change her diaper (she stashed a handful of diapers in her room to be helpful) before I even hear them wake up.
Riley is extremely helpful around the house and, honestly, she's been a great help since I'm pregnant and HUGE. She has no problem helping me out and getting things (esp. from upstairs) for me. Although she's a great help, she hates cleaning her room and she's definitely not a "neat freak". The bigger the mess the better. I'm trying SO hard to get the kids to take one thing out at a time, put things away when they're done, but somehow every day their rooms and the playroom is a DISASTER. It's a work in progress...
As sweet and fun as she is, she's not perfect and she's by far my most difficult child. She's my impulsive, don't think before you act child. I am constantly thinking...in my head..."Riley, WHY would you do that...". For instance, when she had to get stitches. WHY would she grab a HUGE butcher knife to cut an apple? I picked her up from BSF and she had playdoh all in her hair. I asked what happened and they said she was trying to color her hair. She is also m whiner. Oh my gosh, drives me CRAZY most days. She can seriously find anything to whine about...I just bought a book on this subject so I'm hoping it will give me some good ways to combat her whining. I always tell Ty, I can handle naughty because I can discipline but I can't handle the whining...seriously, drives me NUTS!
She loves cats and dogs. Our neighbors have a cat who is outside a lot, Riley has named "kitty pie" and is ALWAYS asking when she can get a cat or dog. She desperately wants a pet. However, I always tell her she won't get one because I'm really allergic. Poor girl!
Riley, I love you more than words can express and am so thankful to be your mom. Your spirit and energy both wears me out and makes me love you even more. Daddy and I pray that you grow up loving our family and most importantly loving the Lord. I can't wait to see what the next year has in store for you!!
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