Karl's parents really went out of their way this year for Christmas gifts. Between discussions of the children's interests and needs, they decided on some very special gifts. I had received a message of boxes to come with only a few indications as to what was on it's way. When Isabella's box arrived, I new what it was well before Christmas Morning. The catalog within the box gave it away, but I kept my mouth shut so she would not know. The Prigges had gotten wind of my circumstance of Isabella's reading selections. This, combined with Mrs. Prigge's wish of having a daughter to dote upon, resulted in the answer to our situations. She got Molly!
Molly is the American Girl Doll representative for the World War Two era. With a whole book line and now permission to enjoy the other splendid series also, we could not be happier. Karl's mom expressed to me the excitement she received in shopping in the new Mega store which had opened recently near her. Two floors of mothers, daughters, and grand mothers letting their senses be consumed around a marketing phenomena over these historical book series. It is sort of tongue in cheek with the whole subculture. While you mentally know it is akin to a trip to Disney World, your heart (and my literary yearning) wants to take the plunge into this magical world. Molly also represents something else for Isabella, a doll that is like her, wait till she reads more of her story to see just how much!
After the excitement over Molly, it was Anton's turn to open his boxes. Karl and I already knew what was coming due to Karl's father's interest in personally picking out this gift. He was overjoyed at Anton's curiosity in microscopes and seeing the intricacies of things. Karl's father was a chemist by profession and was waiting for the day he could expose his grandchildren to this side of his life. Unfortunately, he does not live close by to help show Anton how to create his own slides as these things seemed a bit over whelming to him right now. He was all beaming over the advancing of his "secret lab" as he inspected the parts in front of him.
Both children, and parents, were thrilled with the chosen gifts and the meaning behind the choices. It was more than we could have hoped for or thought possible. While these gifts are helpful in their education, it is also giving them a chance to explore other venues not yet know to them. Karl and I understand the emotional significance of these gifts more than the children do but in time, they too will come to understand their meaning.
