Last week the girls were out of school for two days for parent conferences, so we used one of those days to squeeze in a quick trip to Dollywood. Even though we only had a couple of hours to spend in the park, the older two girls insisted we visit the museum {again} where a vast number of relics and outfits from Dolly’s life are on display. They’re infatuated with her flashy wardrobe and wanted me to take pictures of a few of their favorites:
As we were walking around, they asked in what I fear was total seriousness: “Why don’t you wear dresses like this? They’re so pretty and fancy.”
Here’s why, dears. For one, my name is Hollie not Dolly. I would need extensive enhancement surgery to hold any of these up. Two, my daily activities don’t typically call for fringe and sequins. I realize I could bring it up a few notches from yoga pants and tees, but these ensembles all seem a bit overdone for the carpool line and the YMCA.
Their response to that: “Well, you could wear them to church.”
Yes. I suppose I could. But, we’re going to need to find a much fancier church.
It’s during conversations like the ones we had inside that museum when I realize I’m destined to forever be a disappointment to my daughters.
Besides having a lackluster wardrobe, I also let the 4th Grader down last week when I denied her latest request to turn our house into something that resembles a pet store. I was on the phone when I saw her coming toward me waving her arms as if there was an emergency somewhere that needed my attention. This turned out to be the “urgent” message she had drawn out for me:
She had written below the illustration: “I promise I would feed it, give it water, and give it love. I know we have a fish and a dog, but I want to have something medium-size. With love _____”
Despite her heartfelt message about how much she needs another pet, this is an easy “no” for me. I’ve welcomed a big dog into our family, and I most recently agreed to the adoption of three fish who may never die. But, I’m certain the 4th Grader can have a happy childhood without adding a “medium-size” pet to her life, particularly one of the rodent variety. And, I’m pretty sure her fish could confirm that she often forgets to give it food and/or love. It has water only because it lives in it. Right now there’s a better chance I will dress like Dolly Parton than bring “Hershey the Hamster” {the name she has already set aside for it} into this house. So, it’s not looking good for her.
What is looking good are our chances that one or two or maybe even all three of our children will someday cook for us. Both the 4th Grader and the Preschooler have a genuine interest in the kitchen that can only be traced to grandmothers and great-grandmothers. On Sunday, the older two spent the afternoon baking with Mimi. The ever-busy Preschooler was uninvited to this activity but certainly not unaware of what was going on. So, she begged to make something of her own creation in the kitchen with me. I knew this was going to be intense – as most of her endeavors are – when she came downstairs wearing an apron and a chef’s hat she had found in the dress-up bin.
She has passed out chocolate chip cookies to everyone she’s come in contact with this week. I’m not sure she could be any more proud. I’m also not sure I can do this much more often than every few months until I get better at calmly directing her energy and enthusiasm in the kitchen. I bake like a nervous scientist carefully measuring and reading every line of instruction. Meanwhile, she bakes like a contestant on Hell’s Kitchen. She’s in it to win it, and I’m really just in her way.
Truly, I hope I can nurture the girls’ interests in things like animals and cooking. But for now, we may just have to depend on visits to the pet store and a few shows on the Food Network to do so.
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