A day in the life.

Riley is getting to the age where it's lots of fun to do activities specifically geared toward her.  I mean, when she was younger it was all fine and good to try and go on "adventures," but she didn't really have an appreciation for it, and it was a lot of effort.  But now I feel like she's finally at the age where taking her on half day outings are actually going to be worth it.  Going to the playground is more than just a sensory experience of eating the dirt/bark/rocks.  Swimming is more than just a dip in the pool.  Going to a museum or the zoo is more than just exercise for me.  While this is obviously a good thing, it means I need to start getting new and more creative ideas of things to do with my little one.  And not always some grand adventure of course, there's a time and a place for those, and it's definitely not an every day thing.  I'm talking more simple kinds of fun.  And I would say we accomplished that this week.  Big time.

See there was the day that, on a whim, I decided to buy FIVE HUNDRED ball pit balls off of craigslist.  I didn't really have a plan, but I knew I could make something fun happen with a purchase like that, so I went for it.  But see, I felt like they needed to be wiped down or washed or something before I gave them to Riley, and I was not about to hand wash each and every one.  So we stuck them in the dishwasher and Riley thought is was about the coolest thing in the whole world, and helped me unload them one by one into a big pink bin.  And then we reloaded, and unloaded, and reloaded.  Hours of fun.

Oh and those balls in the dishwasher?  They filled the entire thing, top and bottom racks, and that's only half of them.  Riley was (and still is) in HEAVEN.  Best $20 I've spent in a long time.  Then there was the coloring/playing with crayons, which was pretty funny to watch her try and get all the crayons in one hand.  She was so determined, and would get frustrated if she dropped one, and then would throw them all and try and do it all over again.  It's funny to see her little mind work- to watch her purposefully set out to do something, and keep at it until she accomplishes her goal.

Then there was the sensory jello experience, which made Riley one very happy baby.  She loves jello, but on this particular day she did NOT want it on a spoon.  So we handed her the cup, and let her go nuts.  Which is exactly what she did.  Her fingers were literally orange for the rest of the afternoon.

And we spent a solid hour at the library today playing with puzzles, stuffed animals, an abacus, a 20 month old named Oscar, oh and the occasional book too.  Then we had outdoor picnics with favorite books and snacks.  We gathered and ripped up leaves and watched for birdies and doggies, and waved to anything that moved, and said bye bye when it went away.

Then tonight, I dubbed Riley assistant chef, and we went to work making dinner, and then dessert.  She "helped" me measure ingredients and pour them in their respective pots/pans.  She helped me stir non-dangerous things (i.e. things not on the stove).  And when all was said and done, she sat on the counter and "helped" me do all the dishes.  Yes it took longer than usual, since I had to make sure everything was safe for her, and that she didn't go flying off the counter, but it was 10x more fun for her, and was way easier than listening to her whine the entire time I cook!  Of course she was NOT happy when all the dishes were done, she liked that activity the most!

All in all, I think it was a fabulous day.  And I think Riley baby would agree. 

Oh and please note the abundance of hair behind the ear.  It's about time!