Happy Birthday, Molly!

  'Tis once again the 12th Day of Christmas (ok, 12 + a few several days), which means one thing in this household:  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOLLY!! (belatedly at this point)

It is Molly's 13th Birthday Year (fixed it).  How, oh how has this happened?  Well, the obvious answer is one day led to another which led to weeks and months and years and here we are.  On the precipice of a household containing three teenagers.  And though those words might strike fear into the hearts of other parents...it does not in mine.  Because I wouldn't trade any of these teenagers for any others in the whole world.  

 Narrator: This is technically impossible to say with certainty.  There are a lot of teenagers out there. But, I can say with certainty that mine are my favorite so far. 

I used an F. Scott Fitzgerald quote for Molly's month of the family calendar: "It was only a sunny smile, and little it cost in the giving, but like morning light, it scattered the night, and made the day worth living."  I do not know what work it is from, nor the context of the writing, but it fit Molly's smile and her personality...

Narrator: Her brothers might beg to differ, but they can keep their mouths shut.  Particularly the brother who I have the hardest time finding smiling pictures for. 

I have come to enjoy seeing what outfits Molly puts together.  She reminds me a lot of myself at times...except for her hair doing ability.  That surpassed my talents years ago and continues to leave me in the dust.

In the last year, Molly has reached two milestones: Contacts and Ear Rings.  Though, she actually rarely wears either.  Just like me!  But, when she does: Showstopper!  (Just like me!)

Molly has continued to jump at just about any opportunity to act or sing.  She also helped with the drama unit of last summer's VBS.  She is currently rehearsing for her spring play (In which she has 48 lines. including a long monologue) and singing in the Kettering Children's Choir.  And when neither of those are options, she is quoting various Star Wars spin-offs or singing Taylor Swift songs in the car.  (Though, she has kindly made a second playlist that is 'not Taylor's Version' for her mom...)  Look, I can only take so many times of listening to 'Bad Blood', 'Blank Space', 'Anti-Hero'...and whatever other songs that I used to not know, but now do.  Can I get a 'Let it Go?'

For those that remember Molly as fearless...you'll be happy to know she is the same only more so.  I love that she never backs down from a challenge.  I can ask her to do some crazy origami creation I saw on an Instagram clip, and she gets a spark in her eye, disappears for an hour, and brings back a work of art.  For Christmas, she received a drawing a day book and her creativity is something I'm so proud of as she follows the prompt with unique twists.  She is NOT just like me.  I suppose she gets this particular aspect from her Father.  What a wonderful mix of the two of us she is!

Huh..this picture reminded me of something...

*

 

Well, while I think about it...Let's continue.

She and Eric took home a trophy for best dancers at the Father/Daughter Dance last spring, and then way overdressed for a Father/Daughter Dance this last fall.  But, it was awesome! (See above photo of Molly in a formal)

Last summer, Molly and I got new (to us) bikes with the plan to ride to the library regularly.  We accomplished this...let me see...um... once.  Ok, in fairness, that one time was before Molly got her new (to her) bike and those hills are rough!  I suspect, this coming summer will be totally different.  I better we can ride twice as many times!

Around the time of Molly's birth (or several years before, I'm not exactly known for being up to date on the latest pop culture craze) there was an expletive filled, but hilarious video about Honey Badgers.  After discovering a ripped open box of Reese Pieces with a 15 month old Molly...we nicknamed her the Mollybadger and her tenacity has made that name stick for a dozen years.  Molly definitely lives a bit more by the mantra: "'Tis better to ask for forgiveness than permission" than her brothers.

After singing and acting and eating chocolate, Molly's favorite activity is reading.  To the point that she is pretty sleep deprived...well, she would be if we had to stick to a brick and mortar school's schedule.  She goes through a book a day sometimes.  I can't keep up (it's not even close), though I am enjoying Fablehaven after several months of her asking me to read it.  Granted, she has estimated my time of finishing the series in the decades.  (Fact Check: Mostly True)

A snowy Halloween with an awesome witch costume (Thanks, Thrift Store!)

Molly was Babe the Blue Ox in her fall play in which she sang a solo about wanting pancakes.  Which we now sing regularly.

We have re-started our game tournament.  It will take all of 2024.  I already have missed taking pictures of most of the games, but want to the thank Molly for actually looking up!

Happy Belated Birthday, Molly-Girl!  What a pleasure it is to have you in our lives!  We are thankful that God added you to our family to give it just a little more sparkle and wit (and mischievousness  (Is that a word? I think it is a word.  At least for today, let's make it a word.  This post is late as it is)).  You bring our creativity up a whole octave!  And, I also want to state: Thank you for introducing me to Fablehaven.  I did enjoy it and will continue the series.  I apologize for taking so long to read the first book...but, you know...Christmas, laundry, dinner, family task managing, birthday blogposts...they just got in the way!  But, now: You can do the laundry and cook for the family so I'll have hours to read.  Just. Like. You!! I always said I wanted to be like you when I grow up ;)!

 

We love you, Molly-girl!  For many reasons, but most of all for just being you!!  Now...how about another chocolate cake?  With Nutella Frosting??  

 

Love,
Mom

*Yup...there it is, same Molly