A "new Sally"

Several weeks ago something tragic happened in the playroom: 

     

Sally, the most beloved of all our dolls (at least in my opinion), had a terrible fall and is beyond repair. I, who never gave dolls a passing thought when I was Emery's age, have developed a fondness for them in my "old age," and really had begun to view Sally as a member of our family. I thought of her as the oldest sister among the dolls and a gentle leader of her peers. So I tried to keep a brave face for Emery when I told her it would all be OK and that we would just have to get a new Sally.

Well, fast forward a few days and we were in a children's consignment store looking for a new Sally and I came across a $12 Discman. I quickly began to rationalize the good sense it made to replace Sally with something that could potentially provide hours of entertainment and enrichment for Emery ... and, merely incidentally of course, hours of peace and quiet for me.

So I proposed the idea to Emery and she got on board quickly. And ever since, this is what's been occupying her attention far more than Sally (bless her soul), ever did:

So while I'm deeply sad to have said goodbye to Sally (actually, I haven't disposed of her yet. I don't have the heart to. She's hiding in a cabinet that I'm hoping Emery isn't clever enough to get into yet), I'm equally thrilled at the ROI of the "new Sally."

To Virginia and back

The girls and I just returned from a week in Charlottesville at Henny and Papa's new house. I still marvel at the fact that we flew there and back without any notable incidents other than the stroller falling over with Anna Kimball in it as we exited the family restroom at the Charlotte airport.

Before the trip I prayed for many helping hands and a grateful heart and the prayer was answered over and over again. I felt particularly humbled when I inwardly (and hopefully not audibly) grunted at the lovey-dovey young married couple snuggling in front of us on the plane because I was sure I had seen the wife give us a dirty look for disturbing their romantic ride ... and then of course she was the first to ask me if I needed help getting off the plane.

Our time with Henny and Papa was wonderfully full of repetition, in that we went to the pool constantly, rested frequently, ate gelato nightly, and delighted in the girls' antics hourly.

Enjoying a layover in Charlotte, during which a fellow traveler offered to buy me a cup of coffee. Oh how I wanted that cup, but the risk of juggling a hot beverage with a wriggly infant and trying to avoid too many trips to the restroom demanded that I politely decline.

Emery's first time in a baby pool!

Synchronized kickers!

Anna Kimball's perch for much of the week.

Emery's first real tea party.

Emery loves her Papa ... didn't even mind that Henny, Uncle Austin and I were driving away to go out to dinner!

She charmed us with smiles all week long, despite a terribly runny nose that she graciously shared with her hosts.

Emery's second real tea party!

Cruising with cousin Tucker.

The first of many baths together!

Headed home, but we'll be back again soon!