A while back my mom attended a workshop taught by Dr. Wallace Goddard. Actually she attended two, one on strengthening marriages and another on parenting. She absolutely loved what he taught and shared lots of notes and book recommendations with me. While most of them were parenting books, he did recommend one book for children, particularly girls. It’s a princess book. A princess book like you’ve never experienced before.
Fanny’s Dream
Fanny’s Dream
Caralyn Buehner, illustrated by Mark Buehner
Picture Puffins, 2nd Printing edition (June 23, 2003)
Fanny is a hometown girls with big dreams. She plans on marrying the mayor’s son and never working another day in her life. She gets all dolled up for the ball at the mayor’s mansion and sits out to wait for her fairy godmother. While waiting, a suitor named Heber shows up. After a short conversation Heber proposes to Fanny. It means a life of work, but Fanny accepts. They have twins boys and then girl. They make a happy life together. Then one night her fairy godmother shows up. She offers to take her to the mayor’s mansion where there’s an available colonel. As Fanny hesitates the fairy godmother says, impatiently, “Do you want to go to the ball, or not?” Fanny replies, “Not.” And returns to her family in the little farm house. I cry every time I read it!
My favorite line is when Heber proposes. “Even with all that moonlight it took Fanny an hour to give up her dreams. She shook Heber awake.” And accepts his proposal.
In a lot of ways I can relate to Fanny. I had dreams of exotic travel abroad and a life of adventure. But when I met Brent, giving up doing those things in the immediate future felt right. It was hard, but I’m glad I did. I love him and our little girls and have grown more as a person with them in my life than I ever would have if I’d chosen to travel the world instead.
What Happens While I Blog
As I am writing this post, Sammi came to inform me that Elli spilled all the cinnamon sugar on the floor (fortunately there was only a little left). I look up ti find cinnamon sugar on Sammi’s chin. Hmmm. then Elli came i to tell her side of the story. She’s holding the lid and looking like this:
She takes me by the hand to show me the mess. Sammi is sitting on the floor drawing in the pile of cinnamon sugar. She explained that it’s a park. And with each movement of her fingers she tells me about trees growing here, people walking this way or going that way. I love her little park.
Not ready to tackle the mess just yet, I return to blogging. This is what I just found. I’m impressed she was able to get so much back in the container. But, don’t worry, it will end up in the trash!
This post is linked up with Feed Me Books Friday from The Adventure of Motherhood and Kids Make the Darndest Things from Buried with Children. Check out other books moms are recommending and the artwork by their children that moms are sharing at these to blogs.
Happy Friday!
Now that is pretty creative. I love how she said it was a park. 🙂
And I think that I need to get that book for Claire. She is all about princesses and doesn’t have one single book about the subject. Good thing her birthday is coming up. 🙂
We love princesses…and really need a book about them.
Your kids are so creative!
Love the creative kids! We also love princess books around here and will have to look that one up. Princess Peepers is a fav right now.
It’s not your typical princess book, but I love the message. She never does get a ball gown like the cover shows, but her husband treats her like a princess and it’s sweet. Sammi loves to hear it again and again.
Chrissy: Thanks for the recommendation. We’ll have to look into that one!
I like it! I love the reality check and realizing that the simple life can be just as wonderful.
Brent is soo lucky.
I also like how the girls made their own art project while you worked. I’m mean making a park? That’s brilliant!
I have so been there – with the mess while blogging (or reading, or cooking dinner, or whatever). I’ve come to the point where I let Jenny try to clean up as much as she can, then I deal with it when I get around to it! 🙂
My children are at this moment destroying the playroom and fighting over a huge empty cardboard box. Sometimes, I just need to check out for a minute or two and catch up on blogs! 🙂