Our SIX Family

As an only child, while growing up, I always wanted one sibling so we could be a four family. All the commercials showed a mom, dad, girl, and boy ... and family vacations always featured families of four. Somehow, as an adult and now mom, I blinked and we have a SIX family - we don't even all legally fit in a five-passenger sedan. (Fortunately we did take a couple family trips and vacations as a four family, so I did (albeit briefly) live out my "family of four" dream).
The other day Ella, who is equally surprised,  shocked, and excited about a SIX family, made us each a paper doll (both sides) while some of us napped. I'm not sure what the psychological implications are that I (mom) am the smallest of the paper dolls ... but I do think they are all darling, and I love that Ella has always, and continues to initiate creative projects during the day while everyone else naps. We taped them up on one of the windows of the arts and crafts room. I'll introduce you to each member:
Baby Sara Lee Lee - who was actually wearing a polka-dot onesie sleeper the day Ella made the paper dolls. We love her - and wouldn't be a SIX family without her.

Mary Susan - our precocious blond who loves Elmo and Mickey Mouse. She doesn't skip a beat, insists on being the one who picks who prays before meals, and often orders around her older sisters (magically they often oblige).

Anne Catherine - our Hollywood bound daughter. She never misses a chance to perform, from the primary pulpit to the family stage, her expressive features, dramatic eyes, and passionate ways captivate us all. No wonder Ella made her the largest of us all - she truly is bigger than life!

Ella Jane - loves loves loves her Dad, so it's no wonder they are both wearing yellow (the only two matching, and Mom's favorite color ... perhaps she thinks they are mom's favorites!:)). She is helpful in every way, and like her Dad, anticipates needs and often gets things done before I even have a chance to ask her. She is creative, artistic, and dedicated - when she sets out to do something, you can rest assured she will complete the task.


Mom and Dad - Dad's paper doll is almost as big as Anne's, which is good, considering he is almost 6' 4". His outfit matches Ella's and both are wearing Mom's favorite color (yellow). Mom has striking eye-lashes (at least I think that is what the lines are, since I don't currently have bangs) and disproportionately long arms ... hopefully to help and hug everyone.

And there you have it - our official SIX family paper dolls, with briefly deconstructed and implied meaning. If I had known how much fun life is with MORE siblings when I was a child, I would have felt bad for all those commercial families with only two kids ... because life really is great with four little girls, and I love being a six family.

Here are a couple paper-towel pictures Ella recently made too. Our pending Disneyland trip could have inspired the first (or a gift to Mary Susan), and our recent reading of Roald Dahl's 'The Giraffe the Pelly and Me," may have inspired the second.