Happy Birthday, Molly!

 

Happy Birthday, Molly-Girl!  11 YEARS TODAY!! And, I'm happy to say, I'm still keeping up*.

 *(Fact Check: Mostly True)

 

There is a line in Casablanca that Eric and I like to paraphrase to describe our days: "The same as every other day...only more so" and that same could be used to describe the year Molly had.  It is the same creative, independent, problem solving, messy, clever, emotional, loving, helpful, absent during chores, complimentary, overly honest, thoughtful, wonderful Molly as every other year...Only MORE SO!!  (Still keeping up)* 

*(Fact Check: Still Mostly True)

This year, Molly fully graduated from play kitchen into actual baker.  She makes scones that everyone fights over.  She makes chocolate mousse and puts in beautiful crystal glasses for dessert.  She makes Lemon Tea Cakes for her own birthday party...the first time she made these, she called me three times on the walk I was on to see about various ingredients.  As I'm still keeping up with her*...I was able to help and she was so grateful and apologetic for interrupting my alone time.  I didn't mind in the least.

*(See previous asterisks...though this time it was true)

After growing her hair out for well over a year and actually learning how to make it look wonderful with no help from me, she decided to cut it and donate it.  I think you can finally see a resemblance between the two of us...though she naturally took our exact same haircut and immediately made it absolutely adorable in the way only Molly can.  I stopped even trying to keep up with her fashion 10 years ago. * 

*(Fact Check: 100% True)

Though, speaking of fashion...as people in our church have commented more and more that she is my little me, she is also starting to emulate my normal college (and let's be honest...current) attire.  Hoodies and sweats for the win!  Over Easter we coined this look as getting SSASY!  (Sweatshirt, sweatpants, and socks).  And though sassy can also work to describe her mood on occasion, this is the more common ssasy around the house.  For now!*

*(The various members of the household have mixed opinions on this...I'm still giving it a Mostly True)

 

Molly continues to love the outdoors and is generally first to the top of a climb...unless she is last because she decided she would go slowly.  But, she is rarely in the middle. 

She got a kite at Easter time and proceeded to bring it to as many soccer games as she could and had a wonderful time sharing it...until it got stuck.  At which point, she attempted to climb the fence and get it down without bothering me with these little details...until that proved too hard and then came sobbing that she had lost her beloved kite.  But, it all worked out as a kind teenager fetched it for her.  All done at very little expense to me.  Which is how I like these things handled.

Molly participated in a Broadway Camp over the summer and performed a solo at the show.  She did a wonderful job, not the least of which was re-grouping when she missed her cue to start.  To me and those who are older, this was more impressive than singing as it shows her resiliency. Well done, Molly!  Yet, she has a lovely voice and we are treated to solos around the house from time to time.  She recently joined the church choir and no longer sleeps in on Sundays until the last minute as she needs to be at church by 8:30. 

Have I mentioned she is fearless?  Doing rapids in OKC, literally every time she came through she had her hands raised...note the position of Dom's and Grandpa's.*

*This is Dom. We were not scared of keeping our hands up. The number of times I fell out can prove it. But, the reason we kept our hands down were because those were the rules. Those are just the facts. So don't hold this against us. Please...

While the boys have read a few series together, Molly joined them for Gregor the Overlander.  I was a little nervous as it does deal with slightly older themes and her soft heart was hurt at the death of a cockroach (Spoiler Alert).  Granted, I did not see her tears from this particular death coming...but, I should have.  It is good that Eric has a particularly soft spot for Molly as dads do for their daughters.  He had the patience at 11 PM at night to comfort her.  I'm not saying I wouldn't have...but, we'll never know as I was fast asleep.

Molly owning the beach

As this is Molly's 11th year, we'll be checking the mailbox for a letter.  But, if it doesn't come, we'll still have sorting house cupcakes.  That Molly and John will make better than I ever did. 

At our parish picnic, I lost track of Molly for a while (not uncommon in general...though she always turns up eventually).  This time, I found her volunteering at the face painting station.  She wasn't signed up, she just offered her services and started in.  She missed out on some fun rides to make sure that kids (including her brother) got their faces painted. 

Though, she didn't miss out on climbing the rock wall.

Who had money on Molly being our first child to need a cast?  I did.  And she continued to show that she has a higher pain tolerance than anyone in the family at only needing tylenol for a couple of days after the break. 

We introduced our creative little girl to the Renaissance Festival, and she had a marvelous time.

Molly's first time playing Catan..though Will strongly feels that is not true...but it is my blog post and I say it is and as it is on the Internet...it is.

In the last couple of weeks she has gone ice skating for the first time and took care of some chickens...both activities she hopes to repeat sooner rather than later.

She has so much joy that it is only fitting that her birthday lands on the 12th day of Christmas.  We are so proud to have her in our family even if she tries to go off with families with more girls after church.  I think she'll stick with us for a while.  I know I would miss her quick wit* and her love for her brothers. I'd miss the little bits of sparkle she leaves all over the house.  And she leaves it All.Over.The.House.  Most of all, I'd miss the enthusiasm she brings to all of her activities.  She is never bored.  There is always another adventure around the corner...though I do wish she would pick up the mess from the previous one first.

*One night, I don't even remember what ridiculous point Eric was trying to make, but none of us were buying it.  Eventually he attempted to conclude with: "My logic is unassailable", to which Molly immediately quipped: "You mean: 'unavailable'?"  #SoProud

Happy Birthday, Mary Agnes!  We thank God that you are a part of our family (yes, even Dominic and William are thankful).  I love watching the fire in your eyes as you go off to create an invitation for a tea party or a dessert or a comic book inspired by Captain Underpants.  You continue to take the world by storm and I am happy to just keep out of your way while keeping you and the people around you safe.  Though, I am also happy to step in and help you when I can...you just have such BIG ideas, and I'm struggling to keep up as it is.  But, be patient, and we'll get there together!

I love you always!  Time to make spaghetti sauce and chocolate cake!

Love,

Mom