5 on Friday

1. Ellie and I broke out one of 'our' American Girl dolls, Marie-Grace (M-G), and started reading her story (our first chapter book!).   Ellie thought it was awesome and loved playing with M-G.   Neve wanted to know where her 'grown-up' doll was... unfortunately the other doll we/I have is Samantha, and I am not ready to pass her onto the girls yet.   I told the girls they could share M-G.   Maybe if Ellie loves M-G and takes good care of her (her hair specifically) she can pick out her own American Girl to ask Santa for next year (or the year after).

2. So the Marie-Grace chapter book tells all about the doll's life.  The story is set in New Orleans in 1858---  Nick looked at me in shock when I came across the word "black boy" in the book.  Explaining to Ellie how things were different back then has been interesting to say the least, but also a part of life.  Maybe there would have been an easier book to read for our first chapter book, but I still love that Ellie is learning about history at such a young age.

3. Neve wants to dress-up like a princess EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.   Good thing she received a couple of new princess dresses for Christmas to add to her collection--- because that kid is 100% girl.  It also makes me see how not-girly Ellie can be (I should have know by the sports lamp she picked out for her room.)

4.  A friend of mine gave us a pink leotard that was too small for her daughter.  It fits Neve perfectly and she is so excited about it.   We were driving home one night, talking about how Ellie had dance class in a couple days when Neve quickly chimes in that she is going to be in dance class too!   I told her she wasn't old enough and she could start next fall :(   She came right back with, "but I have a pink dance outfit now!"   Poor girl, she CANNOT wait for her turn to take dance classes.  On Tuesday when Ellie went to dance class, Neve put on her pink dance outfit so she could match (despite the outfit being short sleeve and it being cold out).

5. Some days things just don't go your way.  They happen.   Wednesday at work was that day for me.   I came home pretty upset and Nick kindly reminded me that there is always someone else out there that has it worse.   Sometimes you need that reality check to remind you of how lucky you are, and make sure you don't take the 'good days' for granted.