ALAYNA "BEAR!", I KNOW

Alayna

Jan. 2022 - 4 years old

Little Alayna sat with me during church on Sunday.  She was all bouncy and happy, I suspect it was enhanced by being back in familiar territory after being on the road for hours and hours.  She dug through my stack of books and settled on an open-flap book.  W

Then she pulled the big leaf away from the page.

"Peek a boo", said the baboon, next 

"Grrrr" said the tiger.  And, finally, when there was That Pause, when all things go silent, the preacher was done, the song was sung, Little Alayna, forgetting to whisper, in her best pretend "I'm afraid"-scared voice, folds back the covering flap, and loudly squeals, 

"BEAR!"

Feb. 2022 - 4 years old

As always Alayna and I played many things like give the baby dolls a bath. Throughout she wanted a popsicle which I kept putting off 'cause I wanted her to be hungry for lunch. Finally, she'd had enough. She said, "My belly is full, but my brain wants a popsicle."

I'm laughing my head off.  But she's still talking.

"Do you know how to make brains?  Dad do."

Sept. 2022 - Almost 5 years old

I went and got Alayna.  Promised her last week when I got Jayden that this week would be her turn. 

Once in the house she walked under one of those ghosts of which I had hung 5, 3 in the family room, and 2 in the kitchen.  She brushed against one.  

In a grown up voice she said, "Oh my goodness!"

"Did you hang this up?" 

She just made me smile all evening.

SHE'D HAD A BLAST!  First thing she wanted was watercolors and paper.  Then it was the Barbie doll car with Barbie pushed and zoomed around the room.  On to a set up of play bowling.  Man, that girl has a strong arm!  I do think half as much more than Jayden!  

She went outside for a time and gathered rubber snakes, dog boot scraper,  orange fox, and Barbie, onto the picnic table.  Seemed like a family of playmates.  They did a lot of traveling from there to here to other spots.

When it was time to go home, we were riding in the truck, the air was cooling off.  I looked around and she'd rolled down her window, her hair was flying and her eyes squinted shut against the wind.  Oh, no, it's too cold for that!  From my arm rest controls I rolled up her window.  Immediately, she bugged open her eyes and exclaimed in high-pitched girly voice, 

"You have remote control??!"

Oct, 2022 - 5 years old

Alayna: I love you GrammyPam 
Me:  I love you, too, Alayna 
Me:  You're special
Alayna:  I know