Imagination

Being 3 must be the very best.

That's the conclusion I've come to lately.  There's just nothing bad about it.  (I'm choosing to ignore the "How far can I push this button before she snaps? attitude" and the whining...)  You're not quite old enough to be set free, so you always have someone within arm's reach, but you're not so little that you're not trusted just a little bit more than you were this time last year.  It's just a glorious age.

One of my very favorite things about my very favorite 3 year old is his imagination. 

A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.

 That's what it is.

Reilly is never without a "friend."  It doesn't matter if someone is physically in the same room as he is...he can find something, somewhere to talk to.  And, I'm pretty sure they often talk back.

 I truly believe his very best friend is Dotty, his most treasured blanket.  We often hear things like, "Don't worry Dottie Girl--I've got you," or "Don't worry Dottie-Girl, I keep you safe and not let you get in the mud."  He talks to his trains, he talks to his trucks, he talks to himself...I often sit and watch and wonder how he's not 100% exhausted 100% of the time.  There must be so much going through that little 3 year old brain at all times.

99% of the time, Reilly's imagination makes me smile and my heart fill with happiness.  I, of course, don't like when his imagination brings him "monsters that chase me in my dreamies," or his new one, "dragons on top of boats!"  They are usually positive and help keep him entertained.

I always feel really blessed when I get to see his imagination in full swing.  Tonight was one of those nights.  We were on our way home and he spied the moon.  (He's always on the lookout for "That Moon!")

This is the conversation we had:

Reilly: "Mom, there's THAT MOON."  (You have to read THAT MOON with a lot of excitement!)
Me: "I see it buddy."
Reilly: "Mom, that moon is following me."
Me: "Why is the moon following you buddy?"
Reilly: "That moon loves me mom."
Me: "You ARE a pretty lovable guy, buddy."
Reilly: "Yea mom.  Oh no, Mom!  The moon went away.  He is hiding."
Me: "Where did he go to hide buddy?"
Reilly: "I not sure mom, I think he went to go find his phone."
Me: "He went to get a phone?  What kind of phones?  Where was his phone?"  (Ok, I admit, I ask a lot of questions because I love his answers!)
Reilly: "He got his phone so he can call me and say, Hello Reilly."
Me: "Has he already called?  What did he say?"
Reilly: "Mom.  Shh.  Be quiet.  I talkin' to the moon."
Me: "Oh, I'm sorry."
Reilly: (Overhead as he's talking to the moon.)  "Hi Moon.  You stay out of the clouds so I see you now?  Ok, Thank you.  I love you so so much.  Don't be late tonight, it's getting dark out and I need to see you."
Reilly: "Mom, I done talkin' to the moon.  What you need before?"
Me: "Oh nothing buddy."
Reilly: (As we're pulling into the garage)  "Good-bye Moon. I see you tomorrow.  You not let the bed bugs bite."

I'm telling you...being 3 has got to be the best feeling in the world.