Pretty Is As Pretty Does

This was week two of sickness in July. Something seems wrong about having beautiful Summer weather outside while battling nausea, congestion, head-aches, and exhaustion. I feel like I have been living in a haze of tissues, medicines, and tears. You can’t curl up in a blanket next to the fire, sip hot chocolate and watch Pride and Prejudice when you are sick in July. It’s no wonder it is taking us so long to recover.

Fortunately there have been cousins around to distract us from our misery. Kate played with Gracie non-stop all week. She was feeling better and I was thankful to have her entertained. One day there were five little girl cousins 4-years-old and younger at Grandma Shelly’s house. They were all clad in pink dancing skirts, plastic high heels, and sparkly crowns. As each princess went past me she told me her name: “I’m Snow White,” (Grace) “I’m Belle,” (Kate) “I’m Cinderella,” (Jane) “I’m Aurora,” (Jillian) “I’m Jasmine,” (Sadie). Then off they ran around the corner of the house to play in another section of the garden.

I was somewhat worried about the reaction I would encounter when Grace left yesterday. Kate was tired and wouldn’t even walk to the car to say goodbye. I figured she would be melting down and ready for an early bedtime. Instead as I walked back through the gate I saw her deep in a new pretend game with Jillian. Where there is one best buddy cousin, another can be found!

Jane has started singing real songs. Her favorites are Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, Itsy-Bitsy Spider, and the ABC Song. When I put her down for a nap I can hear her through the door singing, “A-B-C-H-I-J-K-L-M-N-O-P-U-V Next time won’t you follow me.” That little singing voice will melt your heart!

Jane knows that her Dad is in Dallas. Every time we call him and I put the phone to her ear Jane says, “Hi, Dad. Are you in Dallas?” This week she figured out that Dallas is in Texas. Now she says, “Dad is in Dallas. Dallas is in Texas.” The other day when Grampa asked her where her Dad was she said, “Daddy’s not here. Daddy is in the computer.” If anyone can figure how to reach into a video chat and pull out the real thing, please let me know. We could use a few hours of Daddy time!