It Takes a Village

I've been meaning to write this post for awhile... but today gave me another inspiration to do so...

One of the things that's been great, Molly, about you growing up, getting involved in activities, and starting to have playdates and friends is that I've gotten to know your friends' mommies (and daddies, too). One of the best examples of this - ballet and pancakes with Abby and her mom. While you play in the play area, we talk about all kinds of mom stuff ("You know, like purses," you told me last week), cool things happening, even just stuff. That's how we decided to go to see Dan Zanes together... Abby's mom mentioned it on a Friday morning and next thing you know, we have tickets! And the concert was one of the highlights of last year...

As we got to know Abby and her mom and dad, Ellie and her family, the other Ellie and her family -- going to birthday parties last summer, visiting at school events, having playdates -- we started to become our own little support network. We're now carpooling to swim lessons, picking up each other's kids at school, even having sleepovers and planning for summer camps and family vacations together!

Then there's Jake up the street. He's about 1-1/2 years younger than you (he's my birthday twin!) and about as cute as they come... his mom is a school counselor and we talk on occasion about neighborhood stuff and kid stuff. In fact, I recommended your school to her and now Jake goes there too! (I even talked to him mom about how great the ballet program is -- and he's taking ballet too!)

Anyway, yesterday it snowed and there was a threat of a snow day today. I was shoveling the driveway and she stepped outside to let new puppy Dixon out. We started talking, I mentioned how Daddy conveniently is in Florida... and she offered to watch you in case of a snow day.

At 7 a.m. this morning, your school appeared on the closings list. So, I go outside to shovel - AGAIN - and thinking to myself, "How early can I call her without seeming desperate?" Just then, it was time for Dixon's morning constitutional. And Jake's mom called out, "Good morning! When is Molly coming over? Jake is so excited!"

So you spent the day at Jake's -- sledding, coloring, building with Lincoln Logs, eating chicken nuggets, and watching movies. When I came to pick you up, Lilo and Stitch wasn't over yet, so I finished shoveling while you finished your movie.

It takes a village to raise a child. And, without family in town to help us, we've started to forge our own little village. And I am so very thankful for all the wonderful "extra" mommies and daddies we have that care for you and help us each and every day.

It takes a village to raise a child. And we are so very blessed to have these wonderful people in our very own little village.

An Unexpected Momento

Molly,

Your cousins Avery and Riley bought you a calendar for Christmas -- an elephant calendar, of course. It's filled with really beautiful photographs of elephants, elephant families, mommy and Molly elephants... all of which you love.

Over the Christmas holiday, while Daddy was out of town and I was trying to figure out ways to entertain you when it was 20 degrees outside, I thought, "Let's put all our fun stuff to do on your new calendar!"

I have to admit, this - seriously - is one of my favorite pasttimes. I LOVE working on my calendar, color-coding every entry, adding birthdays, and writing in upcoming events with great anticipation. Yeah, I know - it's weird. And honestly, I figured that you'd sit beside me, point to the calendar, tell me what to write, then (after about 3.5 minutes) ask to watch something on TV.

I was wrong... and pleasantly, delightfully surprised.

You and I sat side by side at the coffee table (also known as your coloring table) for more than an hour, and I spelled out words while you -- all by yourself -- wrote them down. You wrote "Ballet" each Friday, added in "Dr. Mark" for your upcoming dentist appointment, then drew a picture of you and me for Mother's Day, and drew hearts all over Father's Day.

I showed it to Daddy. He smiled and asked, "You're never throwing this away, are you."

With tears in my eyes, I shook my head, "No."

Mo Willems Rocks!

One of Molly's favorite authors (and Mommy and Daddy's, too), Mo Willems, actually came to our next of the woods - so we ventured out with our best friends for a reading of his newest book, Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed.

We had a BLAST! Mo rocked the house! He read Naked Mole Rat, then Are You Ready to Play Outside? (with Gerald and Piggy), and ended with The Pigeon Wants a Puppy..., then signed books. We got to meet him briefly while he signed a BUNCH of books for us. Molly even made a Pigeon headband.

Thanks, Mr. Willems, for visiting us. We love you!

Happy Barack Obama Day!

My dearest Molly,

It's almost like you knew how historical today was. You picked out a red, white, and blue outfit yesterday to wear special today... you told me that you and your class were going to sing the National Anthem today... and you asked to watch the news so you could see what happened today.

Daddy and I are saving newspapers and magazines for you of the day's events... and I'm sure all the footage will be online for all posterity... but the energy of today was palpable. I could feel it at work. You could sense it in others. People were celebrating today. I can't say that I've seen this much excitement or interest in government in my entire life.

It's morning again in America. There's much work to be done and it won't be easy... but there's a smart man to lead us. And that gives us hope. And that makes me proud.

God bless the Obama family. I love you, Peanut.

Love, Mommy

"Tomorrow is special too..."

Scene: Molly taking a bath

"Mommy, do you know that tomorrow is special too?"

"Why - what's tomorrow?"

"Not only is it Barack Obama becomes President day... it's American Idol, too. So, there's a lot to celebrate in our house."

Yes there is, Peanut... yes there is...

"Today was special..."

Scene: in the van on the way home from school

"Mommy, do you know what today is?"

"No, Molly - can you tell me?"

"It’s a special day because a lot of people got to stay home because it was a black man’s birthday. He looks like Barack Obama but he’s not Barack Obama."

"Do you mean Martin Luther King, Jr.?"

“Yeah. He got killed a very long time ago before a lot of people were born. He was fighting for his people and that’s why a man shot him. When he was little, he had a friend and couldn’t play with him. Then he laid down and had a dream about playing with his friend. And he decided the brown people should play with the white people and the white people should play with the brown people. And he gave a speech – he was up on a stage with a lot of people listening to him talk about his dream."

You're right, Molly - today was special. Dr. King was very special. I hope your Daddy and I can always help fuel your interest in important people and places. You're a sponge - and we have to fill you up with the good stuff.

My Own Personal MoMA

Here's a simple recipe for all mommies drowning in artwork:

- Clearance frames from Target ($4.00 each)

- As many pieces of artwork as frames

Hang and enjoy!

So this is what I get to look at all day. I love it... and Molly loves knowing that she has a gallery of her art hanging at Mommy's office.