Family Folktales: Socks!

In the second installment of the Family Folktales series, this one takes us back to before you were born...

When your cousin Eleanore was about your age right now (4 or 5-ish), that Christmas we spent at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Stockings are a big deal in our family -- Grandma has knitted one for EVERY member of the family (and a lot of friends too!). She and I always have lots of fun shopping for stocking stuffers. And every year, we always would buy everyone at least a pair or two of new socks.

Well, that year at Grandma and Grandpa's, I'd been squirrling away gifts and stocking stuffers all year... and so had Grandma. And that must have been the year of the Great Sock Sale. Because Christmas morning went a little something like this:

Family gathered in Grandma's living room... everyone opening stockings...

Uncle Paul: "Oh, look what I got!"

Grandma, Mommy, Eleanore: "Socks!"

Daddy: "And look at what I got..."

Grandma, Mommy, Eleanore: "Socks!!"

Grandpa: "Well now, what do I have in my stocking?"

Grandma, Mommy, Eleanore: "Socks!!!"

As you can imagine, we got sillier and siller every time someone pulled out another pair of socks - until we were screaming and laughing it when Daddy pulled out his 12th pair of socks.

So now, Grandma and I definitely make sure everyone has socks... and we still laugh about it. Silly, I know... but it's just one of the little things we do that makes Christmas special for us.

(If you think this is weird, wait until I tell you about the Silly String Fights we'd have in Aunt Lois's garage every Thanksgiving...)

Meet Mandy and Jenny

After our pilgrimmage to American Girl, Molly has been rather obsessed with getting a Molly doll.

Since I'm a mean, horrible mommy and think that a $100 doll is not really the most appropriate toy for a 4-1/2 year old, I've tried to come up with an alternative.

Enter Mandy and Jenny.

Mandy and Jenny were my two most favorite dolls growing up. I took Many everywhere. My mom sewed a ton of clothes for them both - including super cool sleeping bags! And when I hit the age of "I'm too old for dolls," my mom lovingly packed them away.

Fast-forward to two weeks ago. After the 15th chorus of "I REALLY want a Molly doll!" I took Molly downstairs for the big unveiling. As Molly watched with great anticipation as I lifted down the box and removed the lid. The look on her face was like Christmas day - hands clasped at her chest... "Oh, Mommy - were these your dollies? What are their names?"

After we looked at all their clothes, we got them dressed - then Molly introduced them to all her other friends: the elephant herd, Dolly, Baby Maddie, Chompers, Panda... the whole crew. It was too sweet.

And it's so much fun to play dolls with her - remembering how much fun I had with them... seeing how much fun she's having with them now.

All Favorites Summed up in One Word:

Pinkalicious!!!

Favorite color... favorite book... favorite headband/bow combo... favorite new pair of pajamas!

(Thanks, Aunt Jackie!)

227 Down... 20 To Go...

Molly,

Before you were born, I decided that I wanted to change my work schedule. My job is a full-time, 50+ hours a week commitment. And with Daddy's travel schedule and no relatives in town, I knew something had to give. I also knew that I wanted to -- needed to -- spend as much time with you as I possibly could.

Thus, Mommy and Molly Fridays were born.

Hard to believe we've been doing this for almost five years. We've had about 227 Mommy and Molly Fridays (give or take a few)... and we only have about 20 left before you start Kindergarten.

It's like I blinked... and now you're almost five. Wow - other parents always warned us how quickly it all goes. Now, Daddy and I are the ones warning expectant parents.

For the first two years of Mommy and Molly Fridays, we'd hang out, play, have lunch on the deck (in nice weather)... then we expanded into playdates with friends who were having their own Mommy Fridays. Sometimes Daddy would take the day off, or Grandma and Grandpa/Papa & Grandma would come to town -- and we'd say, "It's Molly and Mommy Day, with special guest star... Daddy!" (or whoever was visiting.) Then we branched into Ballet and Pancakes Fridays.

About a week ago, as I was recounting the adventures of our day together, Daddy observed, "So, you only have like 20 left, right? Before she starts school?"

And I started to cry.

He was right - there are now exactly 20 Mommy and Molly Fridays left. So, I promise to make the most out of every last one.

Luckily, we had a FANTASTIC Friday this week -- ballet, Panera (a new choice you and Abby started last week), then off to a local park with Abby, Ellie, their moms, and a few other friends. There was a puppet show... but Mommy forgot it was Spring Break and didn't get tickets in advance. But you saw the world's BEST playground and immediately forgot all about it. We also rode the carousel with all your friends. After a quick snack (thanks to Ellie and Abby's moms), we took off for lunch with Daddy at Steak 'n Shake.

We both took a FANTASTIC nap... then you were invited to go with other Ellie and her family to a fish fry (your first!) and swimming at the Rec Center.

Seriously, this had to have been the best Friday EVER.

And we'll make the next 20 ones to remember too.

I love you, peanut. And I've loved our special Fridays.

All my love,

Mommy

"When I Grow Up..."

Scene: Watching American Idol results show tonight.

Molly: "I want to be on American Idol when I grow up."

Mommy/Daddy (together): "That's great, sweetie." "Oh, that would be good."

Molly: "Yeah, I want to be one of the judges."

And scene.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

So... I had a day trip out of town today -- and had to leave before Molly woke up. We picked out our clothes last night to help make the morning go smoothly for Daddy.

Mommy selects the first dress... "Molly, it's going to be nice and warm tomorrow so you can wear a dress."

"But Mommy - it's St. Patrick's Day tomorrow. I have to wear green!"

Luckily, in Molly's J.Lo-sized closet, lo and behold, there's a green (and pink!) dress. Perfect.

As I'm risking my life in a cab, Daddy sends me this photo with the subject line, "Happy St. Patrick's Day!" and the note that Molly picked out her accessories.

Really? I never would have guessed... :)

Beauty and the Beast

More on the circus visit later... but photos of Molly and her elephant-riding extravaganza...

Here's Molly and Cindy.

Molly and Papa and Cindy...

Molly and Mommy ready to ride Betty.

Molly's American Idol Picks

Molly's pick for who's going home tonight on American Idol: Jorge

Her favorites from Michael Jackson night: Danny, Alexis, Meghan, and Anoop. (Although, when she asked me what Alexis was singing, I replied, "Diana... just a song about Diana. That's it.")

Molly's pick to win it all: Danny... with Alexis a close second.

Let's see if her American Idol predicition powers hold true for season eight!

Kindness Repaid

Molly,

My sweet little girl - you received a very special envelope in the mail today. It was sitting on top of the pile of bills and junk mail - right on top.

The return address: The Zoo.

"Molly, look! You got a letter from the zoo!"

"Oh, Mommy. I bet it's from Jade. I bet she got my letter."

(At this point, my eyes start to well up.)

Inside the envelope, a card with Horton on it with the speck saying: "My friend," came the voice, "you're a vey fine friend."

You opened the card and found a photo - a photo of Jade from her second birthday a couple weeks ago. A photo taken not from where the public watches her, but from inside her enclosure.

And the words, the wonderful kind words:

Dear Molly,

Thank you for sending Jade and Maliha a get well card when they were sick. Your card and your pictures made them feel much better. :) We really appreciate that you took the time to send it!

Thanks again -
The Zoo Elephant Care Team

P.S. - We LOVE your elephant costume!

And the card was signed by 12 different people - each one signing more that just his or her name, but taking the time to include a little message just for you: "Thanks for thinking of us during this time" or "Thanks for your support" and (my favorite) "Thank you for everything! It really brightened our day!"

When we showed the card to Daddy, I started to cry again. You are such a sweet, thoughtful little girl - and it touched my heart that others were touched by your thoughtfulness too.

New Word of the Day:

Argyle -- as in, "Check out my fancy argyle knee socks from Grandma! I love knee socks*."

(Editor's note: Technically, these could be considered belly button socks, since that's about where they hit her... but they she loves them just the same...)

Our Chicago Adventure - Part 3

When last we left our happy travelers, they had just seen Sue the T. Rex, gone swimming at Grandma and Grandpa's hotel, and enjoyed a GREAT dinner...

On the last full day of their visit to Chicago, the most special, most exciting event was planned: lunch at American Girl Place. Unfortunately, Eleanore had to head home to Milwaukee for play practice, so it was Molly, Mommy, Grandma, Julie, Morgan, and Lindsey.

AGP (as we lovingly call it) had moved into Water Tower Place recently, so we hadn't seen the new place. It is BEAUTIFUL, with a little city main street with shops and a Sweet Treat store, leading you to the cafe.

We had a wonderful, very special lunch. All the girls borrowed dolls to join us (since Morgan's and Lindsey's were getting their hair done at the salon and Molly doesn't have a doll yet... although not for lack of asking that day). The girls really enjoyed asking the discussion questions at the table and it was fun to hear the answers Mom and Julie shared.

Molly kept reminding me that she REALLY wanted a Molly doll... so that's our first official entry on the 2009 Christmas list.