Happy Birthday, Molly!

Happy Birthday, Molly! For 8 years you have been making our lives just that much more interesting and sparkling and pink.  And annoying your brothers by singing your play list loudly while we are trying to listen to some historical podcast...ok, maybe that is just in the last year or so.  Keep right on singing, Molly...I love it!!  Not to mention, that is what being a sister is all about!                                                                                                                                    

For the last 10 years, I have made a family calendar for relatives and close friends.  On each month, I put a quote that sort of ties the various pictures together.  The quote for Molly's birthday month of January this year was from Anne of Green Gables:  'For (her) to take things calmly would have been to change her nature. All 'spirit and fire and dew,' as she was, the pleasures and pains of life came to her with trebled intensity.'  That pretty much sums up Molly.  She is a force to be reckon with, and we wouldn't trade her for any other girl around.  Though she is definitely mellowing a little bit with each passing year...just like Anne Shirley!

 Anyone who might initially feel sorry for a little girl all alone in a sea of brothers quickly realizes that she can absolutely take care of herself...and they may walk away feeling a little sorry for the brothers being so badly outnumbered.

But, in the last year, I have seen Molly show her large and loving heart more and more.  She is John's number 1 playmate...and teacher!  She and he share a room and though it is constantly in a state of disarray, she generally only gets annoyed with him when I have given them the insurmountable task to clean it themselves.  I mean...he is the worst!  A quick scan of the situation makes it pretty clear who the ultimate culprit is.  Ah well, it is character building.  And she actually enjoys folding clothes as long as someone is there to help and talk to.

Molly is an animal lover and does not shy away from bugs either.  As evidenced by our trip to New Orleans where there were snails all over our tent on the last morning. And later, Molly's arm.

She has become a keen reader and will often hide away with a book.  She is a quick reader also, and if I'm reading something aloud, I feel a need to hide our copy so she doesn't get too far ahead.  That said, we all enjoyed reading 'Anne of Green Gables' together.  Something I've been looking forward to since Molly was a baby.  I loved how similar she and Anne are.  And she saw it, too.  After one chapter, Molly looked at me and said: She is just like me.  In this particular case, it was a story about Anne coming home late from playing with a friend.  Molly now has a watch so that this does not happen anymore!

Molly continues to be our resident artist.  When she isn't working with chalk (my personal favorite medium), she is drawing on any blank paper she can find or painting on various canvas type surfaces.

Last winter, she and Eric attended the Father/Daughter dinner for her American Heritage Girls troop.  And we all learned who she really takes after....it isn't me.

Molly is a wonderful student and is quite independent in her work.  She may go a few days without doing much of anything academic (though her brain never takes a day off..ever)...and then makes up the work in a single sitting.  If you have been fortunate to receive one of her notes, you also know she has the best handwriting in the entire family.  Something that inspired Dom to practice his penmanship for several days at the beginning of the year.  And I have seen a marked improvement in his writing.  On occasion.

A pretty typical sibling picture attire wise.  Yup, no way does she get lost in the crowd.

And she is fearless at trying new things.  She and Will not only climbed these walls, she also is the first to volunteer for roller coasters and is so disappointed when she is too short to ride.  But, those days are coming to an end soon, and we plan to get back to Universal in the next few years so that she can ride some of those magical experiences for the first time.

Moving is never easy, and it will get harder every time as the kids grow older and make closer friends at each assignment.  She made two very good ones last year in Alabama.  One of whom she still writes letters to from time to time.  However, she has already made a couple of friends here that she plays with regularly.  She is quite proactive at seeking out friendship, which has always inspired me.

And, of course, she will always be our beach girl.  I love this picture of her.  She has such an air of confidence in all she does.  Even facing the wide open ocean.

Along with the best penmanship, she also continues to have the best sense of style.  Even finding wild flowers to put in her hair at church.  I don't think she minded us photo-bombing her fashion shoot.

Molly's alter ego: Tux.  My parents' dog.  Molly has never met a dog she doesn't love, but there is something about Tux.

Yup...she is definitely Eric's daughter, and I always enjoy seeing them together.

We are aware there are children that never leave their parents' sides in public places...those are not our children.  At least those are not our three youngest.  Dom is generally nearby, but the rest of them disappear relatively quickly and we capture glimpses of them from time to time.  This was definitely the case when we visited The Great Wolf Lodge last summer.  Obviously, we try to keep up with John due to his age, and the others show up eventually.  At least they have so far.

Molly insisted on a 1/2 birthday cake this year.  And how do you say no to such a simple request that utilized a fraction?

For the first time this year, Molly successfully grew flowers from seeds.  And we successfully transported them over a few states.

Walking Dad home from the bus stop.  I don't believe she did this again, but it was pretty special that day.

Molly made out like a bandit...or pirate...at the church garage sale.  She has learned to be quite thrifty.  I'm so proud!

She has enjoyed visits to DC as much as her brothers...especially when she got to ride her bike around the monuments with Nana.

I did mention she has the best fashion sense.  I love seeing what outfits she comes up with.  And she also kindly wears particular outfits she knows are my favorites.  This one is definitely a favorite.

One morning, she got all of her schoolwork done before the boys were even up.  This happened a grand total of one time, but it was pretty awesome. 

I think this was after she killed the ice cream monster...or she was doing her best impression of L'Opa.  It could go either way and both be true.

She always gets Grandma to make her a hat or scarf or even a poncho.  I asked Grandma once if she ever said 'No' to Molly, and I think it maybe happened once late at night when it was time to go to bed.  Once.  You can work and work and work on your kids and then a visit from grandparents sets you back months...ah well.  She is awfully cute and warm!

The Molly and John show is a pretty adorable act, but I am biased.

Molly does not stop moving often. Unless it is to read, but even then she is very much engaged.  And then, you find her fast asleep.  She has been like this for years.  Speaking of eyelashes...

It dropped into the 50s one day, and Molly was ready.  Thanks to Grandma and a couple of trips to the local thrift store.  We have had one day of snow, but the kids are really hoping for several more.  Seems like everyone we know has gotten more snow than us.  Life just isn't fair.

Molly is a Metro pro.  Even riding backwards. 

A few months ago, Molly and I went to our first Bingo night.  We don't get many opportunities just to be the girls together, but it was a lot of fun.  Plus, she wore my favorite dress and cardigan combo.  Because she loves me.  Unfortunately, neither of us won big, but we did get to keep the markers for our sheets...so that is something.

Molly, again, put her Halloween costume together without my help.  See earlier statement about being very independent.

Molly still snuggles with her Agnes.  A blanket animal that she received a few days after she was born.  Which means Agnes is 8, too.  Ah, Happy Birthday, Agnes!  A couple years back I realized I may be a little more attached to you than Molly...don't tell anyone.

Pictures with smiling siblings will always be a favorite. 

Dear Molly,
  We are so proud of your ability to solve problems and how kind you are to all that you meet.  You never hesitate to give a compliment and you aren't shy about answering questions and carrying on conversations.  You gave such thoughtful gifts at Christmas, including my new blanket that I am snuggled in as I type this...it is fabulous!  (True story: Molly picked out nearly all her own gifts and paid for them herself.  We didn't even realize she was doing it until we discovered her at the register.  See earlier paragraph about not exactly knowing where our children are in public places...)We've enjoyed reading your stories and letters and seeing your pictures. All. Over. The. House!  In the last year, you have learned how to be really helpful in the kitchen (and not just pretend helpful...anyone with kids knows exactly what I'm talking about).  You can crack eggs well and know the importance of washing your hands before handling food.  If I recall, you and Will baked a couple of cakes entirely by yourselves.  And they were delicious.  #NailedIT Next, we will get you into the kitchen clean up rotation.  The boys have been counting down the days to this.  Especially as we have been slow in including you...maybe because we just can't believe how quickly 8 years have gone by.  You are still our little girl and will always be so.  Even when you inevitably grow taller than me. 

We hope you have a wonderful year full of make believe with William, and ridiculous arguments with Dominic, and learning loads of new things and then teaching them to John, and dance parties with Dad, and reading the best books with Mom snuggled under the best blankets.  We will always Thank God that you are our one and only daughter, Mary Agnes Buschelman!  Let's keep the party going for as long as possible.  Or 8 PM.  Whichever comes first.

Love you, Molly-girl!

Mom