Question of the Day

"Mommy - when I'm older and can drive, how will I know where to go if my GPS doesn't work?"

Halloween 2010

Molly has always been very decisive (and EARLY) in her Halloween costume decisions. When she was three, she decided on September 1st that she wanted to be an elephant... and stuck to her guns until I transformed her into (voila!) un petit elefant.

In 2008, we went to Walt Disney World that May. She picked out a Cinderella dress because (and I quote), "Mommy, I'm going to be Cinderella for Halloween." Lo and behold, five months later, Cinderella graced us with her presence.

Halloween 2009 was a funny story - Grandma and Grandpa had made her a BEAUTIFUL pair on monarch butterfly wings, with a cute little black jumper to go with it way back in 2006. However, when the big day came to actually put the wings ON, there were many tears, lots of screaming... and so she was a two year-old in a black jumper for Halloween that year. The wings decorated one wall of her room ever since. Then one day during the summer of 2009, "Mommy, do you think Grandma would make me another jumper so I could be a butterfly?" And yes, she blossomed into a beautiful butterfly.

After the successful (and much complimented) butterfly costume, I didn't know how we could top it. Leading up to Halloween night, you said, "I'm glad I'm a butterfly this year. But next year, I'm going to be a cheerleader."

Guess what? Not only did Molly stick to her guns to be a cheerleader, she wanted to be a Cheerio from "Glee," her favorite show that she doesn't actually watch. And, once again, we had to rely on Grandma's magical sewing skills because no Glee cheerleader costumes were actually sold. So after much blood, sweat, and swearing on Grandma's part, Molly was a Cheerio from Glee.

(And yes - that would be Mommy as Sue Sylvester and Daddy as Mr. Schue.)

No word yet on what Halloween 2011 will bring. But according to Grandma, you have two choices - a ghost or a hobo. (And I think she's sewn her LAST pleated skirt!)

Happy Dancer

Molly -

You've been taking ballet lessons (and LOVING them) ever since you were three. When you were three and four, you took ballet at your preschool. It was super convenient AND your teacher was a former Rockette - for real! That was the start of our Ballet and Pancake Fridays and I adored every minute.

When you started Kindergarten, Ellie's mom and I searched to find a new studio -- one that would teach you the fundamentals of dance instead of focusing on competitions and age-inappropriate costumes and performances. We found one and enrolled you both. We loved the teacher... but the studio fell on tough economic times (which is all too common these days) and a new teacher came in. We rode out the rest of the year with her... then over the summer started our search all over again.

Luckily, we found a new studio -- one that really focuses on teaching you technique, about loving to dance, not just teaching you how to be a show pony. (Yes, your mommy has some pretty strong opinions here - can you tell?) The teacher is AMAZING. And you've started tap (HOORAY!).

In just a little more than four month since you've started, your progress has been amazing. Your teacher is a delight -- warm and fuzzy enough, but also clearly in control of the class. And you're becoming quite the dancer, much to your mommy's joy.

Your grandma was a wonderful dancer and loved dancing for many, many years. I was a pretty good dancer, too -- and loved every minute. I'm so glad you got the dancing gene, too.



When Mommy Met Daddy

Molly Paige,

Yesterday, you really surprised Daddy and me. Daddy and I were finishing adding some new photos to a picture frame, and you told me you were going to write something. So you retreated to the couch with your colored pencils and plain white paper... then, a few minutes later, you went to get another piece of paper. Then a request - "Mommy, I need a picture of you with me in your tummy." There was a twinkle in your eye - buy I didn't ask why. We just went to the basement and found one. Then a few more minutes of creating... and then you presented Daddy and me with this...

Yes, I started to cry when I read this. It's so sweet and lovely. I will never throw this away. It's truly one of your masterpieces.

I love you, Peanut!

Love, Mommy

Mommy - what are you wearing today?

Ok... I'll wear that too. We'll be twins.

Happy New Year!

So... it's been awhile since I've blogged. In fact, I haven't blogged since October... and really missed all summer. The good news is that we were so busy having fun that I didn't have time to retell all our adventures here. And then you started First Grade... and now you're halfway through First Grade. And it's 2011...

Anyway, one of my New Year's Resolutions is to keep up on this little digital journal just so I can capture all the little things about our fun little life. So I'll be recapping some and hopefully hitting the highlights more. And photos - don't forget the photos.

Stay tuned - more to come. I promise!