Driving around with a van full of 8 year olds, it was evident to me that Riley was the best behaved of the bunch. She didn't hit anyone. She didn't say anything mean to anyone else. She wasn't wild or loud or obnoxious. Makes me shake my head about parents of typicals that are wary of her. We actually have kids in the neighborhood who want to be her friend, but whose parents...have that look in their eye. Not sure they really want to get involved with us. (You should hope your kid wants to hang around mine).
Anyhoo....the movie. There was a point in the movie, where it appeared one of the main characters had died, and Riley had an intense (but appropriate) emotional reaction. She actually wept. If you'll remember our Charolette's Web incident you will note this is huge progress. She used to just study Seth's emotional responses with a perplexed look on her face. Not this time baby! She was really feelin' it!
The movie also had a lot of suspenseful scary moments and she handled all of them just fine. She was happy as could be amongst her friends, all from her class at school. She was soooooo tired at the end of the day, but in a good way.
Another great day for Ms. Riley.
7 was a very good year.
*photo is HT workin' it with the little ladies.
11 comments:
That is a wonderful story. So glad she had a wonderful party! And great appropriate emotional response...just great! (even if it was tears!)
Especially at age 7 and 8, but even now at 12, Margaret has never ceased to be taken by surprise at other kids' meanness. I suppose she has her mean moments herself, but from what I see, they are a lot fewer than other kids'. Maybe I should have let her learn to be mean as a survival thing, but her niceness serving her well as she gets older: her thoughtfulness towards other people means that she is not only pleasant to be around, but polite, reliable, and professional. If I do say it myself about my own kid.
-- Laura "I think all parents should brag on their kids" Goodin
And Laura, I'll bet she has a darling Australian accent, too.
Oh, she does, she does!
-- Laura
7 was a very good year. I predict 8 will be even better. Congratulations to Ms. Riley and her parents. Her "intense but appropriate" reaction is a milestone almost as shiny as her birthday.
Happy, happy day.
Wow, it was only since February that she was able to have these appropriate emotional connections with the movie? That is major, major progress. And, I agree, parents should be flocking to your house to be with Riley. If they only knew. Oh well...but YOU KNOW. I stand in amazement. Cute picture with Todd. Love your fireplace and room, by the way!!
Happy Birthday, Riley! We took our youngest to see Kung Fu Panda for her birthday this weekend, too.
Bubba and the girls spent the rest of the weekend running around yelling, "Skidoosh!" at each other.
Happy Birthday Ms. Riley!
I love the photo and your home looks so happy and comfy.
I still can't get past parents not letting their kids be friends with Riley. That makes me sad and angry.
But Riley then makes me happy.
so, so, so WONDERFUL
Kelli Ann,
The answer to your ? is yes. She was one that was hitting.
Forgot to respond earlier! Sorry! Didn't publish the ? because you never know who might be reading.
: )
Gottcha ;-)
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