Gossip Girls

Since it hasn't exactly been the type of weather that makes you want to jump out of bed and run around outside lately, we've been spending lots of time inside with friends. Molly and Sadie have played together here several times lately and, once again, this chair is a fave. It's not like just one of them sits in the chair, however -- it's apparently much better as a chair built for two. Luckily, Sadie is petite and not as full figured as the hairless wonder so they fit... sort of.

They fit as long as Molly can sit on her pal

Swapping stories about their madcap adventures

Party Time

We had a little birthday party for my mom over the weekend and also had the pleasure of Erin and Megan's company. John got himself mixed up in a cousin sandwich but handled himself well with three chatterboxes. As you may imagine, Harry was nowhere to be seen...





Molly was ready for the party in her party dress and leggings. We attempted to try and manage her fly away curl with a headband but I think she ended up looking more like she was ready for Richard Simmons' new workout video rather than being au courant. We will keep trying the headband when there is more than one tendril to hold back. The mullet is coming in nicely, though. Nice and thick in back with just a light dusting on top. A beauty.

Shake, Rattle, and Roll

Is there anything that's better than making a big racket and a giant mess at the same time? I think Molly would argue that point in the affirmative to the death. When Nana came to visit recently, Molly showed her just how much she likes to shake shake shake her alphabet magnets out of their container. Making them into a small minefield to navigate in the kitchen is clearly a much better use of them then whatever they originally designed to do.

Mama Mia

Grammy and Grampy gave Molly a new baby doll for Christmas and up until now, she mostly slept peacefully (much like Harry wishes he could do) amongst her other toys. Now, though, Molly is very interested in her baby (name: Baby). Molly rocks her (i.e. sways with her violently), helps her go night night (i.e. pokes her eyes shut), and carries her around nicely (i.e. totes her by one arm). Nonetheless, she is a good mom and always is happy to find her on the floor where she had previously left her. Sometimes I remind Molly to find her baby and gets pretty excited by the hunt. Sounds about right...

And We're Off

Molly got a new chair like the ones that she had seen and used at Hannah and Sadie's houses. She really likes sitting in it and reading her books... for .5 seconds. When I showed this picture to John yesterday, he asked if there's ever a time when she doesn't look like she's ready to run off to her next activity... and I'm pretty sure there isn't. She enjoys being an active tyke and I'm a little nervous to start art class next week. I'm not sure what the teacher was thinking -- it's for about 10 small ones for an hour once a week. I'm very interested to see how this goes.



Speaking of Hannah, Molly and her pal celebrated Valentine's Day together with a romantic dinner for two on Saturday.

That Pesky Cupid

Happy Valentine's Day!

Molly is just tickled that she has a new cousin -- and it's a BOY! Evan (we think) Christopher was born on Thursday night (8 lbs 1 oz, 19 3/4 inches) and is in for the ride of his life with his wild and crazy older sisters. That boy will be the purdiest fella around because I have a suspicion that he's going to be "playing" dress-up from day one.

She's Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaack

Pirate Pat made a reappearance this week. Molly plundered the stash of pre-Molly pirate gear and dressed herself up as Molly Beard of Merrimac Street. She was, overall, a kind pirate. Instead of making me walk the plank, she relegated me to scullery duty and I dutifully complied.

Duck Days

Happy Tuesday! We're eagerly anticipating our visitors this week -- grandparents and friends -- who will help us stave off cabin fever. I think Harry would like a visitor in the form of an angel to come and rescue him. I don't think he likes the adoration that is being heaped on him by one small lady. I'm not sure what he's done for her lately, but she sure would like to get her hands on him. He's figured out a way to escape from her (surprisingly) gentle clutches each time but boy, she's got her eye on him.

Daddy Days

I ended up being pretty sick for most of this weekend so while I hunkered down on the couch, John and Molly got to spend some QT together and managed to come up with more crazy shenanigans. The two peas in a pod got to rearrange the kitchen (can't wait to be searching for something while Molly patiently (HAH!) waits for her dinner one night)...

had tongue time together...

decided to put Molly in charge of time keeping around here (please note the lone curl)...

flew some airplanes together...

and did their own version of supermarket sweeps...

I felt better today so I took Molly out for some beautiful 45 degree weather. We took a walk and, more importantly, had our first puddle stomp. I may not have done it quite right because I stayed in the same outfit all day. She, however, went through two pairs of shoes three pairs of pants. I wish I'd gotten some pictures but I didn't bring the camera outside since there were drips of water everywhere as everything melted (thank goodness!).

Those Funny Genes

Putting aside the uncanny resemblance to her dad for a minute, Molly (believe it or not) does have some personality traits, affinities for, preferences that are like her dad AND her mom (I know, I know, shocking that I'm in there too). Let's see...

Molly and I both like cheese a lot

Molly and her dad can both be awfully sleepy sometimes

But, I'm not sure from where she gets her affinity for ballet. I mean, we all like to cut a rug around here but Molly does a very nice arabesque (and has for awhile) so maybe she has principal dancer in her future. We were puttering around the other day during one snowstorm or another and for a good chunk of time (probably the duration of her snack) she was going back and forth between this position and having her two feet on the ground. And no, she never stopped eating...

When Dad's Away...

We roll a little differently around here when John is out of town. Apparently snacks taste better sitting on the table rather than at it and...



constant redirection that one's booty belongs in the chair doesn't really fly. It is much more fun to stand on the chair to survey one's domain.

Taco Time

A few years ago, we had an air mattress that got a hole in it. I thought I had patched the hole well enough that it wouldn't lose too much air if someone slept on it. Well, I was wrong and poor Holly was the human taco for one Thanksgiving weekend. Since then, we think human tacos are one of the funnier images out there. Molly got to experience a recreation of taco time, or maybe it's really more of a fruit roll-up, last week. Dads come up with some pretty funny things for the short set.