Always Remember That

No, not like that: I am way behind here. I don't think I ever posted about Mallory's birthday, and I had some thoughts about Christmas decorations which I guess I'll save until next year, and I should tell you about the fab time I had with my family last week, but instead I'll just sum up 2011. Best Books Read: There But For The by Ali Smith Chime by Franny Billingsley The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan The Boy in the Moon by Ian Brown Please Look After Mom by Kyung-Sook Shin Worst Books Read: Obedience by Will Lavender The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown Sister by Rosamund Lupton The Sherlockian by Graham Moore Best Movie: Bridesmaids Fave TV show: Modern Family; also Prime Suspect but I think they're taking it off the air Proud of myself for: Teaching myself how to crochet Losing 10 pounds between Thanksgiving and Christmas (now need new pants) Best new experience: Riding a Segway with Aimee through downtown Charlotte New places travel...

A few weeks ago I sorted through the girls' books and set aside some to donate. I put them in a Bruegger's Bagels bag because it was big and sturdy and had big sturdy handles. Naturally, the bag has been sitting in our hallway ever since. Phoebe noticed it last Saturday. "Mommy, why is there a Wubbzy book in this bag?" she asked. "Because those are books I'm going to donate," I said. "To the poor?" she asked. "Yes." "I don't think that's a good idea," she said. I was about to launch into a lecture about how she had too much and other children had too little and she hadn't read any of those books for ages and -- But then she added, "Because if the poor children see this bagel bag, it's just going to make them hungry." ---------------------- Twenty-five people were laid off from my office yesterday. Luckily I was not one of them, although there were a few tense moments when I thought...

you will be after watching this. My only regret is that this version does not have Beeker singing the nine ladies dancing part. That cracks me and Phoebe right up.

Last night Mallory asked me to carry her. "Carry you?" I said. "I haven't been able to carry you for many years." "But you said you always would, no matter what," she said. "When did I say that?" "On your blog," she said. I guess she read this . Which, in spite of its schmaltziness, is one of my favorite posts. I can't believe that was 5 years ago. I can't believe that Phoebe is older now that Mallory was then. I can't believe that I thought five was old . I can't believe I didn't factor 4th grade social studies into the equation. She's ten, my beautiful, goofy, kind-hearted, generous, bright and funny little girl. If I'm a bit sad today that she's growing up so fast, I'm consoled by the fact that I'm the one who gets to be there with her while she does. Happy Birthday!