Ramona Speaks

During her short 28 months of existence, the skill that Ramona has developed far beyond any other is undeniably her ability to talk. Perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of having this little two-year-old right now is our memorable conversation, some of which I started writing down since last March:

(While I am giving Ramona bed time cuddles and kisses:)
Ramona: Mommy taste pretty good
Ivy: I taste pretty good?
Ramona: Yeah!
Ivy: What do I taste like?
Ramona: Mmm...applesauce.
Ivy: Applesauce?
Ramona: Ohgurt.
Ivy: Applesauce yogurt?
Ramona: Yeah! Taste pretty Ummy.

(Ramona is trying to put on a pair of mommy's pantyhose)
Ramona: Crocodile eat that.
Ivy: Crocodiles eat pantyhose?
Ramona: (gravely) Yeah.
Ivy: What else do crocodiles eat?
Ramona: Shirts.
Ivy: I didn't know that.
Ramona: Crocodile eat my blankie.
Ivy: Crocodiles eat your blankie? Oh no!
Ramona: What we gonna do?
Ivy: What are we going to do? I don't know.
Ramona: Crocodile far away.
(Yes, Ramona. Crocodiles live far away. Your blankie should be safe for now.)

(Ramona is on the potty, just having delivered her #2 goods.)
Ramona: I smell them!
Ivy: Do they smell stinky?
Ramona: No.
Ivy: What do they smell like?
Ramona: (smiling) Flowers.

Ivy: Ramona, what are you doing?

Ramona: Coloring on my leg.

(Sure enough, she is coloring on her leg with a green marker. I appreciate the honesty, dear.)

(Ramona snatches a can opener from a kitchen drawer.)

Ivy: Ramona, that's not very safe. I need you to put that back.

Ramona: Okay. In a few hours.

Ivy: Ramona, do you need a time out?

Ramona: No, I'm fine.

(Upon having an accident on her bed during naptime, as I am stripping the sheets off of her bed)

Ramona: I'm sorry 'bout that. I don't mean to pee on the bed.

Ramona: Crocodile's coming (in a whisper)
Ivy: Is he going to sing?
Ramona: No. He's going to play the piano.

Ramona: I have chipmunks in my shoes (trying to take off her sandals)
Ivy: Do you mean woodchips?
Ramona: (a little sheepishly) Woodchips.

(After passing a dead deer on the side of the road)
Ramona: Was that a deer?
Ivy: Yes, that was a deer.
Ramona: Is he cute?
Ivy: Yes, it's cute.
Ramona: Where's mommy deer?
Ivy: I think that was the mommy deer.
Ramona: Where's daddy deer?
Ivy: I don't know where daddy deer is.
Ramona: (shrugging) I don't know either!
(pause)
Ramona: Is she lying down?
Ivy: Yes, she's lying down.
Ramona: Is she sleeping?
Ivy: Yes, she is.

(At dinnertime)
Ramona: I don't like spinach. I spit it out of my mouth.
Ivy: Someday you'll like spinach.
Ramona: Someday I'll like it. When I'm 22.

About a week ago we went to a friend's wedding in Nauvoo. Before attending, we explained to Ramona that Gavin and Kristen were getting married in the temple, and that Kristen would be the bride and Gavin would be the groom.
I ended up waiting outside the temple with Ramona during the ceremony. As we walked around the temple grounds, she pointed up at the building and said: "Mommy, I'm going to go in there someday. I'm going to be a bride."
Apparently, she later told Paca that he was going to be the "broom."
You certainly know how to speak your mind, don't you? We love you, Ramona.