Terrifical!

If you haven't yet seen the 2010 movie "Ramona and Beezus" (based on Beverly Cleary's series), it's worth a watch.  And if you've got a little Ramona living in your house, it's a must-see!  Quite frankly, it brought tears to my eyes.  That little Joey King who plays the ever imaginative and oft misunderstood Ramona is amazing -- I've seen those same expressions of exuberant joy on the face of my Baylor, delighted immensely by the simplest of things.  And the deep, genuine hurt when misunderstood -- utter frustration and bewilderment.  How a child can act those highs and lows so convincingly is beyond me (talkin' actress Joey, here).  (I'll even forgive that the fellow playing Aunt Beatrice's boyfriend was not so convincing.)  Oh, it made my heart ache for Bay's frustrations; and love her circuitous way of getting from A to B, the dead (and cherished) corn plant upon her desk, and her on-going mourning over the trade-in of the old mini-van. 

Granted, Bay gets along smashingly at school and has adored every one of her teachers, and she tends not to get into precious objects around the house without first asking permission.  The looks on Ramona's face, however, and the intensity of the emotion, magnitude of the imagination, and overall sensitivity -- hit the soft spot in my heart that has Baylor written all over it.  Oh, dear girl, you're going to really be somethin' when you're grown up.  We just have to survive together the years from now 'till then. 

Love you! 

And your rain boots  .  .  .  and homemade paper cell phone  .  .  .  and your love of "spy gear"  .  .  .  and that your LL Bean backpack sits in the closet while you use the old, torn bag left by the good friend who moved away last year  .  .  .  and your hidden rock collection (sh!)   .   .   .