The Rules

 This weekend we also  had very mild weather. Lucky  us we had sunny day's in the mid 60's! I took advantage of this, because it will probably be our last for the season, but with global warming anythings possible.

We like to walk to the next block and stop to admire the horses. Riley has always had a love for horses since she was little. She just sits and watches them and wonders what they are thinking. 

It's fun to give them names too. My parents live on a horse farm and it is ritual for Grandpa Buddy to visit the  horses with Riley when we arrive; such a one of a kind memory she will hold onto forever. Last night after our walk, we played ball and did cartwheels in the yard. I took many mental photographs and took time to watch Riley run, tumble, fall and get back up and do it again. She is really into gymnastics, and loves to keep trying until she gets satisfaction out of the move she is trying. I love her underlying passion to never give up. She gets that from Marc and I. 

This is the horse farm down the street from our house

sitting, waiting, wishing

Reese seems so much bigger since her six month check up a couple weeks ago. She is more determined, and eager to try everything. She is so proud of herself and the things she can reach for and hold. She examines everything cautiously and with ease. She admires her sister in every way, and Riley always knows how to make her smile, it is the sweetest little thing.  

 Reese wants so bad to be as big as sister to do the amazing things she does. 

 This past week has been a rough time for Riley and her emotions. She has been facing challenges with her own actions and behaviors. It has been so hard to watch her so confused and upset within her own little body.  She has been having a hard time following directions and been getting upset easily.  As her parents, it is our job to help her through these tough times as smoothly as we can.  And let me tell you, it is challenging. It breaks our hearts to see her so upset and angry. But like all human beings, we have all experienced emotions like this at one point in our lives. It is natural to have these feelings, but being able to express them is something that needs to be learned. So, we as parents are the ones who have to teach (and hear!) her the right way to handle her feelings.

 I am sure a lot of her emotions have been because of the new addition to our family and she is not the baby anymore. But I also think it has a lot to do with herself growing older. She is becoming more independent and is able to understand more, which in turn, I do not think she wants to know. She is eager to learn more and can comprehend so much, I think more than most children her age. I think it has become overwhelming for her. I also wonder if Marc and I are to hard on her with rules and following them. But on the other end, if we aren't persistent with them, then she won't learn from them. We do not want her taking advantage of the limits she has, but it is hard to teach her that. So with constant reminder all day long, and good examples, we are showing her it is tough growing up but it is very rewarding too. I always try to keep things "even" between her and Reese, I try to shower them with the same love and affection in front of each other. With Reese needing more attention, I think she is missing that attention. So, as a result of getting attention she is acting out and not listening, which has resulted in "alone time" to calm down and relax in her room. She doesn't like this but in the end she learns that there are certain ways to act around others and which behaviors are allowed and which ones are not. I think she has become grateful for her alone time, once its over.

To put things in her perspective, I explained to her how everyone in this house has rules, not just her. Mommy and Daddy have rules, Reese has rules and Riley has rules. Some are the same and some are different. I explained how following them makes us happy and able to get rewards (or in her terms, special treats, which aren't just food, but privileges too).

I think everyone in this house is learning from her actions. It is teaching us a lot. Patients, persistence, and ongoing love is what we are enforcing in our house right now. It is very hard to keep on track all day, but so far, it is working. She is learning the right ways to grow and she is not giving up, I think she gets that from the both of us; determination and hunger for learning new things. 

All four of us are learning new things as a family and as our own person as we grow into who we are. And I think Marc and I are doing a good job as parents for our girls. And our girls are doing a good job as our children, teaching us what is needed from us as their parents. I love you Riley and Reese.