I Didn't Know They Went to School

Scene: Molly and her Mommy in the final stages of Molly's nighttime routine: Mommy turning out lights, turning on the nightlight, spraying "Go Away Monster Spray..."

"Mommy, did you know monsters know all the languages?"

"No - I can honestly say I did not know that, Molly."

"It's true. They can speak all of the languages. So when they go to China, they speak Chinese. And when they go to England, they speak English. They go to Monster School and they learn,"

Picture Day!

Yes, it was day six... and picture day already.

Luckily, Daddy took a couple photos before taking you to school.

With the backpack and nametag. Cute.

Without the backpack... rocking the pigtails. Super cute.

What kind of pose is this?!?!?!? Oh, we're in trouble...

MPF - Swinging by Yourself!

Molly,

Funny how some firsts can just sneak up on you... or happen all of a sudden when you forget about trying them.



First it was skipping. For the longest time, you skipped lopsided - only on the right side. No matter how much we tried and practiced, you always skipped that way. And then one day, we got home from school, you got out of the van, and skipped on down past Kevin's house -- a perfect, double-sided skip... like you'd been doing it for years.


Today was one of those days. Today - all of a sudden - you started pumping your legs on the swing.


It was as if you had always known how to do this -- perfect form, the beautiful lean back on the upswing... you could have powered yourself like this all day long. And the funniest thing of all - I never said a word about it. Before, I would coach, plead, and beg you to pump your legs... but today was different. I don't know why - but for some reason, it was.

You've discovered your own strength today. Now the sky is the limit!

Love you, peanut.

Love, Mommy

Random Shots...

The other night, after Molly headed outside to take a walk with Daddy, I looked into the family room where she had been playing before dinner... and this is what I see:

Yes, not only had you created a tea party for your elephants, but you had posed each one so his or her trunk was in the bowl or cup.

Your attention to detail is hilarious.

Molly Paige First (MPF) - Broadway Show!

Today, we marked a major MPF (or Molly Paige First): your first Broadway show. (At least, in Mommy's world, this was BIG.)

"Mary Poppins" came to town -- so we went with Ellie and Miss Kim. I've been waiting and waiting and w a i t i n g to take you to your first big theatrical production... but didn't want to take you before you were the right age. Luckily, I think a number of factors all came together to make this a day to remember:

1) Five seems to be the right age -- you know to use your really good manners when we're out, you can pay attention to the show for more than 10 minutes, and you can hold your bladder for three hours.

2) You LOVE "Mary Poppins" -- you know and love the story and movie. As we were walking into the theater, you were singing your favorite MP songs, including the one that starts with "Super" and ends with "ocious."

3) We went with friends -- sometimes that helps a situation... and sometimes it doesn't. Luckily, today it worked in our favor. Today was all about having a Girls' Day Out and you loved that.

The show was absolutely AMAZING. Even though it's markedly different from the movie (especially Jane - she's much brattier on stage than on film), you really loved the differences. And you sang along during all your favorite songs. And the best part was when Mary flew... right out OVER the audience. Seriously, it made me cry it was so amazing.

But the best part for me was watching you. Watching you soak it all in... applaud at the end of the songs... singialong... it was so great. At the end, as we stood and applauded during the curtain call, watching you sing "Super....ocious" two inches from my face was a visual I will NEVER forget. Getting to share my love of the theater and musicals with you is something I've been so excited about... and today was a special, special memory I'll always hold dear.

I love you, Molly -- and loved sharing this special first with you.

Love,

Mommy

The Adventure Begins...

Molly -

Today was your first day of Kindergarten. After a summer's worth of anticipation, lots of claims by you that you would NOT like Kindergarten, lots of preparing and form filling-outing, lots of school supplies shopping, and a little bit of fretting by Mommy, it was finally the big day.

And believe it or not, there were no tears. Not from you... and (surprisingly) not from me.

But how could I cry when you were SO READY to start.

Your new adventure begins. And I can wait to watch you grow.

All my love,

Mommy