Books and Music

Marielle attempting to impart her love of books on her baby brother.

A few weeks ago, Marielle began expressing a desire to "fly into the book" she is reading. This girl loves books, to be sure. And I think she reads them not just for the enjoyment of a good story, but also as direct fuel for her imagination. Yesterday, as we were reading Blueberries for Sal, which is illustrated in black-and-white, she very seriously informed me, "Its just a book; if you fly into it, it wont be black-and-white anymore".

Lately in her pretend world, Marielle has take on the roles of:
-an "angel of the Lord"
-a brave, young girl who walks on a high-wire (we can only hope that she keeps reality in check with this one!)
-a princess-wife (a phrase she coined herself),
-Mary-the-mother-of-Jesus (thus her doll has permanently taken the name of Jesus, in which someone is regularly wondering around calling out, "Where is baby Jesus!?";
-various older girl cousins whom she greatly admires;

-and often goes to a "land of horses called Christophi", and rides her favorite horse that she calls "Chumby".

Marielle also is spending much of her days donned in hand-me-down ballet costumes, and had the honor of attending her first dance class with her cousin Isabelle, on a bring-a-friend day. She was so full of fierce joy when she came home that she was actually speechless. Everytime I asked her about it, she would grab me and hug me choke-hold around the neck, but not utter even a word about it! I'm assuming she had a life-changing time at this ballet class.

Marielle has very eclectic taste for her dancing-music. From "Everything that has breath praise the Lord", to "Friday I'm in Love" by The Cure, she is often found dancing wildly and hopping around the room with remarkably-fast and coordinated footwork that seems more akin to Irish folk dancing (think Riverdance) than actual ballet. Recently during her weekly dance to the aforementioned "Friday I'm in Love" she called out vehemently, "This is what Ballerinas LOOOOVE to Dance to!". . . . I'm inclined to agree..at least the ballerinas in this household. :-)