A Party for a 4 yr old!

My Little Miss is turned 4 earlier this month.  Today is her family party.  When I asked her what she wanted for her birthday, she told me she wanted a "Bahbie."  Yes, she has a bit of a Boston accent for some reason!

And being a grandmother, I naturally want to get her what she wants for her birthday.  But I gotta tell ya...I struggled with this one.  Back 50+ years ago, when every other girl in the neighborhood had one, my sisters and I never had a Barbie doll.  And we didn't suffer any.

No, this is not Little Miss.
This is a Pick Your Plum ad.
But don't you just love these tutus?

My daughter never wanted one.  She was never into dolls.  She had one baby doll, a Cabbage Patch baby. This was one conversation about her doll.
Me: "Honey, what's your baby's name?"
Her: "Rob"
"Just Rob?"
"Yes."  That was it.  Cut and dried.  She just wasn't a doll kinda kid. She wasn't a girlie girl. I actually kind of liked it. She was tough.

So when Little Miss asked for a Barbie doll, I gotta say, I cringed. And I asked her why she wanted a "Bahbie."  Silly grandma...how could I not expect this answer.  "Because I want one."  Oh. (Little Miss is most definitely a girlie girl.)

So I went and got her a Barbie.  And I looked at it for a couple of days.  And I couldn't get excited about it. So I emailed her mom and asked if I could instead get her dress up clothes. And my daughter, who didn't wear pink from the time she started to choose her own clothes until one day when she was in college and realized that she needed to send me a picture because I wouldn't believe she was wearing pink, thankfully said she'd prefer the dress up clothes. She realizes that her daughter is girlie girl through and through.  No sense in fighting this one!!

And my sister thinks Little Miss might be channeling June Cleaver. She's helping Mommy clean the counter, but check out the pearls and bracelet!  Yep, just like June Cleaver!

And for the birthday "cake," Little Miss asked for brownies. With a little bit of green frosting. So I decorated it as inspired by the card I made for her. Yes, the writing leaves something to be desired, but at least it's homemade!

I'm looking forward to her party today.  She can be a little precocious crazy kid, or she can be as sweet as can be.  You never know til you get there!!

Happy Birthday Little Miss!!

A Golden Weekend, with a Lesson on the Side

This week was an exciting week!  Because of Team USA, and more specifically, because of one of our sophomore students, I've renewed my love of hockey.  Along with that, I've done some reflecting on parenting, and on handling whatever happens to me in life, and on realizing that you don't always get answers for the questions you have.

Brody Roybal
Image courtesy of teamusa.org

I work in a school district that has two campuses.  At one time (when I attended the school), the district was most definitely divided.  Different mascots (Eagles and Knights), different school colors (maroon/white and blue/gold).  A totally different culture.  Now, we are all one district, one mascot (Eagles), one school color combo (blue/gold) and a united culture. So it wasn't surprising that the east campus was cheering on one of our students from the west campus when he went to the 2014 Sochi Paralympics to compete in Ice Sledge Hockey.  Brody Roybal is a 15 year old sophomore, and he is a forward on Team USA. They won the gold on Saturday.  Very exciting games!!

I've been thinking a lot about Brody's parents lately.  I don't know them.  I only know what I know from the interviews I've seen and read.  But I am in awe of these parents.  You see, Brody was born without legs.  They could have easily felt cheated, with a chip on their shoulder, angry that they didn't know about it even after ultrasounds.  Instead, Brody's dad admits to pushing him "pretty hard sometimes" to be independent.  His mom remembers thinking he looked like the Peanuts character, Pigpen, when Brody was playing local baseball.

Edited cartoon from
http://weknowwearecute.undebug.org

The point I'm trying to make is that they realized the reality of Brody not having legs but decided that they wouldn't treat their son any differently than any other parent offering their kid opportunities.  Some day, I'd like to meet Michelle and Robert Roybal.  I'd like to shake their hands and tell them that they are as awesome as their son.

Brody's Mom - Spelling out USA

Some people come into your life for a reason.  Whether or not I get to congratulate that gold medal winner in person, I would like him to know that he and his parents have changed my outlook on life.  

A final note: (Removed on advisement.)  

Happy Birthday, Dad

He'd be 100 years old today!  Still miss him!!