Ruby is three!

my baby is three.
i'm not sure how i feel about it. my emotions this last week have ranged from zen to hot mess depending on the hour. i have no idea where that time went but i also kind of feel like Miss Ruby Doo has been two-going-on-thirteen for quite a while. she has an attitude that can't be beat, she's smart as a whip and she is hands-down the funniest person i know.

i interviewed her last night and here's what she had to say…

what's your name?
Ruby Boyson
how old are you?
(holds up three fingers) three
what's your favorite food?
strawberries and grapes
what's your favorite color?
green
what's your favorite book?
the caterpillar one (the very hungry caterpillar)
what's your favorite toy?
my babies
what's your favorite show?
Sheriff Callie's Wild West
what's your favorite treat?
raisins
what's your favorite song?
shoop-a-doo (shoop by salt-n-pepa)
what's your favorite animal?
elephants
who's your best friend?
Lily
what's your favorite thing to do with your family?
jump and dance and paint
what do you want to be when you grow up?
a doctor or a sheriff cowgirl
what makes you happy?
elephants and lions and bears and cars and riding on elephants and playing with my friends and dancing and reading
what makes you sad?
when my toys get lost
what do you like to learn about?
bees
where do you like to go?
the reading area, aunt Dawnica's house, playgrounds, the museum with the twinkly lights, the cupcake store, the stores with the cookies in the bakery, target, and dance class
what do you like to think about before you go to sleep?
my friend elephant named Deeda who i can ride on to go get my toys back that i lost
what do you do really well?
jumping, making things, riding horses, teaching frogs to jump, eating macaroni and cheese, dancing, singing, putting on my pajamas, teaching daddy jokes, being a good friend, being a good big sister, teaching babies to talk. see look! (talking to Mae) SAY 'B-B-B-BALL!!!' (back at me) SEE! i'm a good teacher!
what makes you laugh?
daddy and funny jokes
what do you want for your birthday present?
a very special toy


more about Ruby:
she can spot an oreo, strawberries, or beloved cartoon character from miles away.
she loves telling jokes and making people laugh.
she is tender hearted. she's very sensitive to the feelings of those around her and will cry if she thinks you're ignoring her.
she's easily spooked (like her mama). we're talking "the sound of my stomach grumbling sent her running to hide" easily spooked.
she still doesn't like getting dirty. she has to have a napkin at every meal, just in case she needs to wipe her hands or face.
she loves to play pretend. she comes up with the most elaborate story lines and characters for her toys to play.
she's started sneaking treats and stashing treasures around the house in special hiding spots. i accidentally left my wedding ring on the dresser once while i was bathing Mae and found it a few hours later in one of her hiding places. it's a good thing i know where she likes to stash her loot!
she still loves to read.
she loves pretending to be different animals and hates to break character. when pressed she'll stomp her foot and say "ugh, mom! horses can't talk!" it's hilarious.
she loves to debate.
she does hilarious impressions.
she is still not a big fan of meat, but she'll eat fruits and vegetables by the fistful (literally).
she's a cautious observer.
she's a sassy wild child.
she's very aware of her appearance and likes to look nice (is it possible to tell your child they look pretty too often?? i promise we compliment her on other, more important things as well). once her hair is done and she's all dressed, she'll pose with a hand on her hip and say "well? what do you think??" it's all i can do not to laugh out loud, and respectfully tell her she looks great instead.
she's very astute. she can read people and picks up on behavior very quickly. we have to watch what we say and do very carefully around her.
she gives compliments generously.
she doesn't like to take naps or go to bed because it means she's missing out, but she desperately needs a daily nap still. sometimes this means she refuses a nap, is delirious by 6, but won't go to bed until after 10, then wakes up bright and early again the next morning. i've tried everything and i have no idea how she functions.
she has a special fondness for shoes.
every night before she goes to bed she HAS to come in my room and use my "lippy." otherwise she complains that "something is missing!"
every time one of us gets home she runs in to our arms and yells "YAY! MOMMY/DADDY'S HOME! I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU ALL DAY!" (even if it's only been 10 minutes)

we sure do love this little three year-old rascal of ours. happy birthday miss Roo!