all about Molly

1.  Likes: reading, drawing, playing soccer, mashed potatoes, Ivy, watching TV, organizing, getting Ivy out of bed, sleeping with a stuffed animal, Beanie-boos, eating school lunch, cheese quesadillas, bagels, being in charge, making up games, wearing her Toms every single day, her hair done in a high bun, swinging in her hammock

2.  Dislikes: rice, being the center of attention or thinking that anyone is watching her, doing anything wrong, getting criticized/disciplined, when other kids are mean

3.   Has a killer imagination!  She makes up all sorts of creative games with her siblings and friends. She has also been working on a comic strip, of sorts, about a family named the Nickel family.  To draw them she traces nickels for their faces.  The comics are actually really funny too!  (Unfortunately, Molly's little notebook that her comics were in was left in her coat pocket and washed.  Molly didn't want to re-write them so they are goners.  Sad.)

3a.  Her and her friend, Aedel, have made up a fun game at recess.  They made a fort somewhere outside right next to a puddle.  They pretend that the puddle is their pet (named "puddle") and they feed it snowballs.

4.  Is sensitive.  She cries easily and can be offended easily but mostly I think her sensitivity is a gift from Heavenly Father.  She is so sensitive to others' feelings and is often aware of how other people might feel in any given situation.  I feel like she has been able to make a lot of friends because of this and I hope that she can continue to develop this trait and use it in a positive way.

5.  Molly has a really beautiful singing voice.  But she doesn't like to sing in front of anyone and the attention it brings.  So the only time we hear it is when she takes a bath (she always sings in the tub or shower) or when she is listening to her iPod in the car.

6. Molly used to have trouble falling asleep at night.  She would lay awake for hours.  We tried a lot of things, some with no results and other things that worked sometimes.  Reading-no, listening to stories-no, lullaby/Primary music-no, lavender oil on her feet-nope, water music-sort of.  Something clicked, though, when we moved or when she started 3rd grade.  I am happy to report that she no longer has any trouble falling asleep whatsoever.  It is wonderful!  (Something else to point out with Molly: she doesn't seem to need as much sleep as my other kids.  She can be fine on less sleep.)

7.  She has been super excited to start intramurals at school.  It is soccer.  This is how I think it works:  they are on a team and they play in brackets.  If you lose, you are out.  I'm a little unclear about the details but I know that it was the one thing she was looking forward to going back to school for after Christmas break.

7a. A couple of weeks ago she finally talked the boys in her class to let girls play soccer with them at recess.  She comes home each day with reports on how many goals she scored against the boys.  She is also the only girl who consistently plays with them.

7b.  I will say it again-this girl loves soccer.  She loves to go to her trainings and when she is home, she is always kicking her soccer ball.  We are ready for some warmer temps (at least no snow) so the soccer games can be outside!

8.  Molly has been listening to conference talks at night while she's falling asleep.  This was all her idea.  Right now, as I'm typing this, she is listening to President Uchtdorf's latest talk.  She was in charge of the FHE lesson last week and did her lesson on Elder Holland's talk-she said it was her favorite one.

9.  Molly used to not care how I combed her hair.  Now she wants it in a ponytail nearly every single day.  I usually give in because it's not a battle I want to pick but occasionally I make her wear it different.  At least she still lets me comb it!     

10.  If Molly's favorite school subjects are reading and art, her least favorite is definitely math.  She does well in math but it certainly doesn't come as quickly as other subject do and that is frustrating to her.  She is working on memorizing and passing off her multiplication tables and she is not enjoying it and is getting discouraged easily.  But we are getting there and hopefully it can turn into a lesson about hard work!

Molly is such a blessing to our family.  I know that being the oldest, and being a girl, we expect a lot more from her...and she nearly always rises to that expectation and goes above and beyond.  She has dealt with a lot this last year with a new baby and the move and I know it will be a year that she will never forget.  Life isn't the same and at times it is harder for her (in regards to friends) but she has adjusted well and made the best out of each situation she's been put in.  She is a beautiful girl, inside and out, and I am proud to be her mom.