April Showers

It's hard to believe April is almost over. What a month! Gwen turned seven, we had visits with both sets of grandparents, Xavier had a trip to the ER for croup, and Gwen did the diabetes walk (she collected $149 for the cause -- thanks to everyone who contributed!) If Gwen still owes you a thank-you note for a birthday gift or donation to the diabetes walk, we're still working on those. Since she is writing them all herself, it is taking her awhile.

When Gwen got home from school today, she seemed a little subdued, but I was able to cheer her up in a hurry by showing the "Scary Book" magazine (known to some as the American Girl doll catalog, or to Xav, the "Clone" catalog.) The gist of this product is that you can buy a doll (for $90) that looks vaguely like you (or like you if you were mass-produced, as they are) and then you can buy really expensive matching clothes sets so you and the mass-produced version of you (or, as Xav puts it, your clone) can look alike. If the concept alone does not scare you, the prices will -- these doll outfits cost more than clothes I buy Gwen at Target.

Xav, of course, is just disappointed that they don't make "clones" for boys.

Anyway, this catalog cheered her considerably until dinner, when, left with the boring prospect of eating, her thoughts were able to turn back to the events of the day. Suddenly she announced, "Jack is moving."

Now, if you don't remember Jack, go back and read the post from Halloween 2007. Jack and Gwen have been "dating" since kindergarten (well, insomuch as you can be "dating" someone you never see outside of school.) We've tried to set up playdates, but something (usually his parents) has kept them from happening. I'm not sure what the attraction was -- they have vastly different interests, she is Teacher's Pet while he's the one who gets sent to the principal's office every day ... yet they always describe each other as girlfriend and boyfriend. I guess opposites attract.

Back to the story -- this was big news. "Moving? Where is he moving to?"

"West Virginia. He says his dad doesn't like the municipal pool, so they are going to move to where they can have their own pool and hot tub," Gwen replied.

"Um, I don't think that's why they are moving. Probably Jack's parents got new jobs, and that is why they are moving," Adam suggested.

Gwen gave him a withering look that clearly showed him what she thought of that theory (a foretaste of the future no doubt), and said, "Well, that's not what he said. He said that his dad didn't like the municipal pool." (Please notice the italics on "Well," "not," and "said" above. They are very important.)

Anyway, Adam took Xavier up to brush his teeth while Gwen finished her supper, but now that she only had food to distract, it took her about five seconds to dissolve into tears. Since I sympathy cough with Xav and sympathy cry with Gwen, about five seconds later I was blubbering, too. Adam came back in to wash the dishes, while I looked around desperately for something to distract Gwen and save us both.

"Where ... where did the Scary Book go?" I asked, looking around.

"What, the American Girl catalog? I put it in the recycling bin," Adam replied.

There are few times when I would go dumpster-diving for a catalog (or much of anything, really). But desperate times call for desperate measures.