Ree-Ree

Many of you have heard stories of our neighbor Reid, also known as Ree-Ree. He is four and is such a hoot! He has the cutest lisp and always has something to say. Phil and I love him because he makes us laugh every time we see him. He seems to like us, too, because he comes over all the time "to say hi". When he comes by himself, he usually rings the doorbell twice, we answer the door, and when we ask him if he wants to come in, he either says "sure" or "I can't. I just came over to say hi, but Mommy says I have to come right back." Sometimes he comes over to ask if he can lie in our hammock. Other times he comes to see Luke, takes one look at him, then starts looking around for something to play with or something to eat. Last year right before Halloween, Reid came over wearing a Darth Vader helmet with his mom and brother. After a while, I asked Reid if he was going to be Darth Vader for Halloween. He looked over at us and with a 3 year-old's Darth Vader-inspired voice, said "Luuuuuuuke....I yer fah-der." This was before we even knew we were having a boy and way before we thought to name him Luke. Now whenever anyone jokes with Phil about saying the famous Star Wars line to Luke, we can't help but hear Reid's version in our heads. Yesterday Ree-Ree came over to say hi and decided to come in. Here's a glimpse of why we love Ree-Ree:

Doorbell rings. I answer the door.
Merran: Hey Ree-Ree!
Reid: Hi.
Merran: Whatchya doin'?
Reid: Um... I just came over to say hi. (Bends over and picks up a leaf, breaks it into pieces.)
Merran: Well, Luke's awake. Wanna come in and see Luke?
Reid: Sure.
Merran: He's in here with Phil, playing on the couch.
Reid (to Phil, seeing that the TV is on): What are you watching?
Phil: The news.
Reid: Of what?
Phil: The news of the United States of America.
Reid: Oh.
Merran: Hey Reid, can I take your picture with Luke?
Reid (smiling and leaning back onto the couch): Um, no. I'm not really a picture guy anymore.
Merran: You're not?
Reid: No.
Merran: Well, can I just take ONE picture? We don't have any pictures of you. I just want one of you with Luke.
Reid: Well can you just take one of me sitting next to this pillow?
Merran: Why is that any different than sitting next to Luke? He's not going to bite you or anything. Just sit over there next to Phil and Luke. Please????
Reid: Ok.
We take the picture.
Phil: Do you want to hold Luke?
Reid: No. I have to go. Mommy told me I could come say hi but I had to come right back. Bye.