When I was little I was constantly making up plays, "sewing" purses with the stapler and rounding up the children in the neighborhood to play school.
I also learned to be very resourceful. My mom would never buy the plastic high heel dress up shoes....so I would put blocks in my socks for heels.
I am smiling as I write this because who would think of that?
It gets better.
I couldn't get my ears pierced until I was 13 so when I was little I would cut out the earrings in the Avon catalog and tape them on.
The best part is that I would also cut out the painted fingernails in the Avon catalog and tape those to my fingers too!
I remember writing a song (which I did all of the time) and singing to my mom in the kitchen.
She told me to go and sing it to my dad because, "he knows good music and this could be a hit". What? That cold hearted woman...I NOW know they were laughing their butts off. Cruel....so cruel I tell ya.
I would like to give you a taste of the lyrics....yes...I remember them.
That will be all I am sharing. The funny thing is that I was probably 12...LOVE ATTACK??????
Now on to the REAL reason for my post.
My daughter is just like me.
She does all the funny things I did growing up.
She is always making up stories, getting dressed up (this child rarely goes anywhere without a strand of costume jewelry), loves her dolls as if they are real (and don't you tell her otherwise), she LOVES her friends, she is always creating something, she makes up songs.....you get the picture.
The other day I took the kids to the park to play while Kelly flew his stunt kite.
Ben and I had left the playground to watch Kelly.
Eventually Jack came over too and then we all hear Madolyn crying as if her leg was broken.
Jack quickly informed us that she was just upset because he left her at the playground.
He then went on to tell us that she was probably singing a song right then about how everyone had left her at the playground and she was all alone.
I started to laugh so hard......I know I would have done something like that.
I KNOW this girl.
So...I know there are some hard times ahead. I also know that sometimes it is hardest with the child you are the most like.
For now though...I can relate to all the funny things she does.
She can frustrate me because it is hard sometimes to get her head out of the clouds...but I guess what is so wrong with that!











Love this post! Jeanne, your photographs are beautiful!
Posted by: Julie Parmer Hosley | June 28, 2010 at 01:58 PM
right on, mamma!=) wonderful coloring in those shots of maddy!
Posted by: amy | June 28, 2010 at 01:59 PM
what a beautiful place to take photographs- they are gorgeous.
Posted by: lorraine lewis | June 28, 2010 at 02:28 PM
What a beautiful post, you made me smiling with all the things you remembered. My sister was a lot like you described and that's what I love most about her.
Posted by: Kathryn Dyche Dechairo | June 28, 2010 at 02:56 PM
Awww -- what a sweet girl she is -- and you were too! So funny that you taped on earrings and fingernails!! :) You were crafty way back then! How cute is that! Love Attack does sound pretty catchy! :)
Janet
Posted by: Janet | June 28, 2010 at 03:15 PM
Jeanne,
I didn't think there was a child that was as much of a goofball as me...and my daughter, Katie. You literally have me laughing out loud...but I am also in awe of your lovely pictures and ow beatifully you told the story!
France must be coming pretty soon, huh?
Suz
Posted by: Suz Reaney | June 28, 2010 at 03:31 PM
"he knows good music and this could be a hit", oh my goodness!!! I can't stop laughing!!!
Posted by: Liz Roberts | June 28, 2010 at 03:48 PM
You are so funny....I think I drooled I was laughing at what you ended with:)
Those are some beautiful pictures of your daughter!!!!
And I love those memories you have...and making up those songs...I used to do that with my sister:)
Posted by: Martha | June 28, 2010 at 04:09 PM
Now you have that song in my head now! I know ~ it does not take much ~ just the power of suggestion really... I adore these photos Jeanne ~ they are gorgeous and I laughed because I simply remembering my mother saying and I sure yours did to ~ "I hope you have one just like you!" No truer words have been said as there are quite a few little "klones" running around. Hope you are having a fantastic Monday!
Posted by: Lori | June 28, 2010 at 04:30 PM
Hilarious! Well atleast you are little prepared for what is ahead now that you have realized she is just like you :)
Posted by: shannon | June 28, 2010 at 04:31 PM
Sewing with a stapler; you are resourceful:) These are awesome photos of a beautiful young girl!!
Posted by: mkg | June 28, 2010 at 05:28 PM
girl that is sooo funny! I can't believe you taped paper earrings and fingernails on! haha
too cute!
Posted by: Beth Perry | June 28, 2010 at 06:29 PM
I am going to wish one thing for you - for all the hard times you may have ahead with her? May you and she end each trial with hugs and smiles and love.
You're already started on the right track, that's sure! :)
Thanks for stopping by my blog today...
(((((Hugs)))))
Posted by: Knitnana | June 28, 2010 at 07:19 PM
What beautiful photos. Your daughter sounds like a sweetie. This post made me smile because my 10 year old daughter reminds me so much of myself writing songs and poems all the time.
Posted by: Carmen | June 28, 2010 at 07:37 PM
What beautiful pictures! And what a blessing our children are. It is true that those the most like us often butt heads with us...but only every now and then. And the in~betweens are so lovely. :)
~~~Debbie~~~
Posted by: Debbie | June 28, 2010 at 09:23 PM
i know you are being funny but reading your words , with the music playing in the background & looking at these GORGEOUS images, i love the beauty in this post.
especially those last words.
i'm most like my oldest. we had a rocky time there around age 13, but i totally GET her...right now we are in a fantastic place.
seriously, LOVE these images.
Posted by: paige | June 29, 2010 at 05:21 AM
How utterly sweet and charming. You and your daughter, Jeanne.
Posted by: Zita - Mlle Magpie | June 29, 2010 at 06:08 AM
Thank you, Jeanne, for your kind comments on my blog...
((Hugs))
Suz
Posted by: Suz Reaney | June 29, 2010 at 07:44 AM
Your daughter is a sweetie. An imagination and jewelery are wonderful things!
Posted by: Debra | June 29, 2010 at 07:51 AM
I think it is so special that you have a daughter that is just like you! So special!! Beautiful post Jeanne! And GORGEOUS pictures - wow!!!
Hugs ~
:) T
Posted by: tracey | June 29, 2010 at 08:31 AM
I think LOVE ATTACK could be a hit! That is hilarious!!! I love it! You are making me think of the funny things my sisters and I would do when we were little too. My daughter who is 5 loves to sing and b so dramatic. I think if she got left on the playground she would be singing a poor pitiful me song too. So cute and so great that you are getting this all written down. ~Shelley O.
Posted by: Shelley Overholt | June 29, 2010 at 09:05 AM
Absolutely hilariious! I remember getting some of my dad's solder wire and pretending I had braces. My mom made me and my dolls matching dresses. I was such a girly girl but a Tomboy at the same time. I would climb a tree in my dress anyday. I am still the same way. Funny hu? My mom and are exactly the same and YES we do and did have some difficult times. But I love her dearly. :)
Hugs,
Heather
Posted by: Heather Jensen | June 29, 2010 at 09:10 AM
Thank you for sharing ... I had a good chuckle and a smile on my face the whole time I read your post. Of course the pictures of your daughter are fabulous & I just love the contrast. Anyway, my you were one creative child I wish I had known you as I had to also wait for pierced ears... I think I had to be 12. I was not so creative in regards to cutting out earrings... great idea! I was a song maker... still am & poems too! It is so wonderful to watch a creative mind developing you are a lucky mom, even with the frustrations attached.
Posted by: staceyyaculastudio | June 29, 2010 at 10:02 AM
This made me laugh so hard. It reminded me of myself and my sisters playing office or should I say we played Dallas all the time. We even did the taping earings on our ears too! Oh the memories. I also remember singing the goofiest songs about a buffalo ballerina, but I will spare you that one!
Posted by: Megan | June 29, 2010 at 10:15 AM
Beautiful post! It really hits home for me...I see "me" in my daughters and it's just astounding sometimes:) And oh how they make me laugh {& cry}!
Posted by: Leah C | June 29, 2010 at 02:31 PM