Kindred Spirits

Morgan did not have school on Friday afternoon so she arrived right after lunch to plan the Anne of Green Gables weekend. When the boys came for a Star Wars overnight, it was all business—food and movies. With girls, life is just more complicated.

As Morgan sat down with pen and paper and so much “scope for imagination”, she quickly came up with a plan, including a photo shoot, what to wear, when to get into pj’s, what to eat, pedicures, mini mysteries, a craft, a tea party, watching Jessica’s soccer game and obviously movie time.

The food menus required the most planning. Of course, Morgan knew that we needed at some point to have some raspberry cordial (raspberry Juicy Juice) and so we worked on making it look authentic in an empty vinegar bottle. The other items required interesting names as well so we soon had labels for Marilla’s meringues, frosted scones, layered crumpets, burnt ginger snaps, current wine (sparking grape juice), Prince Edward Island Shells (Mac & Cheese shells), and Rachel’s sticks in the mud (carrot sticks and dip) . I am sure that I am missing a few more items but you get the idea.

We barely finished our grocery and craft errands and then it was time to pick up Jessica. First the dolls needed to be dressed, and then the photo shoot completed. I imagine that Jessica resembles Anne in looks with her reddish hair and in her thrill of adventure. Jessica would have gladly and successfully accepted Josie Pye’s dare to walk the ridge-pole of the kitchen roof. It was Jessica that suggested to the dismay of Morgan that the photo shoot should be done in Grandpa’s climbing tree.

Morgan resembles Diana in her beautiful dark hair. However, her flair for the dramatic, her imagination, and her ability to talk constantly make Morgan a kindred spirit of Anne.

Aunt Kathi soon arrived. Our overnight began. Kathi and I enjoyed exchanging knowing, loving, delightful, amused, kindred spirit glances as we interacted with these charming little girls that love dolls but teeter on the edge of becoming young women.

We watched six hours of movies. We watched the first part of Anne of Green Gables on Friday evening and completed it on Saturday morning. We watched the first part of Anne of Green Gables, The Sequel on Saturday afternoon and that was as far as we got. The favorite part for all of us was when Matthew went to the store to buy Anne a dress. It is just so cute how he had such a hard time getting to the point. I especially love the part when Anne goes to the barn to thank Matthew. That always makes me cry. We laughed at the part where Anne finds a dead mouse in the pudding sauce! It is a great story!

Ready for bed

Jessica scored three times!

Someone that works that hard deserves a bit of pampering.

Tea Party pictures

Morgan demonstrates the correct way to hold our tea cups.

Time to go home sporting our new flip flops.

At the tea party, I decided to give a little blessing before we began. I nearly lost my voice as I thanked God for these girls. As the adoptive grandma, I identify with Marilla and Matthew. “It was Providence, (My marriage to Bob and gaining his dear family.) because the Almighty saw I needed them, I reckon.”