River's Rovings

River is totes a preschooler now...not a toddler anymore. I mean, she's not attending a preschool, she's like a small human. Lol.

Her achievements amaze us every single day. She's funny and smart and so wonderful...also, she back-talks and doesn't listen and gets really hyper right before bedtime. :) And I think she's the cat's meow.

These days she's:

Sounding out every word she says like this: "Mommy, can I have a po-po-popcicle?" and "Hey, look at this d-d-dog." It's pretty awesome. A lot of the time she will add what letter the word starts with. I'd say it's about 50/50 whether she gets it right or not, but what a start! And it's cute to boot.

Not that long ago, maybe a month, there was a time that River could trace letters, but not initiate writing letters by herself. In the last couple of weeks I've watched her write several I's (both upper and lower case and usually made out of upper case T's), T's, and H's (sometimes made out of her T/I's. lol).

She has been actively (and sometimes literally) jumping into acro-yoga. Sometimes I get hurt...sometimes while saving her. :) Her dancing is pretty phenomenal too. She's fun.

She's actually been practicing and making real progress on her cartwheel. I suspect that her process will be very similar to her learning to jump.

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Ain't she beautiful?

Obviously I'm very behind in my updates
 as these are from River's 3rd year photos done by the talented Olivia Jean, who I highly recommend.

I'm so in love with my River and I'm so in love with these sweet photos of her doing what she loves...dressing up and using her imagination. Every day she amazes me with her intelligence, beauty, strength, athleticism, thoughtfulness, humor...I could go on and on.

I hope you enjoy these as much as I do.

News Flash: She's three!

*These photos were taken by: Olivia Jean, an amazing woman, Earth momma and photographer ;) Thanks for making my month with this series. The shoot was so much fun.
I can't wait for the rest! http://www.olivebeephotography.com/


And what a beautiful three she is! Oh this girl is all that and a bag of organic kale chips. ;) Sure, she has hour long meltdown style tantrums, but so does every other three year old on the planet...I hope. Lol.

Truly, this journey we are on together is what life is made for. River, every day I smile because of you!

Stats:

Height: Perfectly suited to her, but let's just say we may be signing her up for volleyball...or basketball.
Weight: Perfect suited to her
Minutes spent on getting out the door: countless

Favorite foods: Olives, bananas, cucumbers, cheese sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, pancakes, mission figs (she ate the entire bag!), fruit.

Favorite movie: Frozen, duh.
Favorite tv shows: Sheriff Callie, Doc McStuffins, Bubble Guppies, Crash box, Little Einsteins, Peppa Pig
Favorite books: Toot, Those Darn Squirrels, any fairytale, I Love You Stinky Face, Polar Bear Polar                                    Bear, Dozers and Diggers

Favorite new accomplishments: Burping on command, moving up a level to preschool gymnastics (from Diaper Daredevils, lol), rejoining Lil' Kickers soccer without having an hour long meltdown ;) (and having a ton of fun!), trying climbing AND camping for the first time! (and rockin it out), cracking eggs without getting shell in the bowl, drawing figures (shapes, things with legs).

Things she's working on: Snorting, whistling

Favorite hobbies: Building with blocks, trains, dolls, dancing, bubbles, bike riding (without stabilizers), simply being outside, playing in water, dress up, being upside down or twirling or jumping or flipping.

What she wants to be:
I asked her what she thought she might want to be when she grows up. She replied with, "Uh, how 'bout...a soccer ball!?"

This little Monkey

And yes, that IS a fish on her head. lol. That cutie made me the best mother's day card ever!

Office Visit

Carl (AKA Picasso), Elsa, and Anna came for a visit today. River woke up early this morning. We had a really great morning, BTW. She said that they should accompany me to the office. I have no idea why, but it was really sweet. Kids don't have much so when they give, you should graciously receive as if it means the world to you...because it does. It so does. Anyway, as Chris expected, I got a lot of weird looks, laughs and comments on the elevator on the way up...but I laughed too. Everyone asked me why I didn't just leave them in the car; She'd never know...but I'd know. And I'd never forgive myself if I lost the chance to do this:

River, darling, your friends had so much fun at my office today :) Thanks for letting me bring them along. I am so blessed to have such a giving daughter. I love you so much.

And just a little side note:

The Minis

These photos were shared with me by my good friend Marla, who is also a photographer for the Journal. Thank you so much Marla!