Do It Yourself. By Marley.

Marley's kindergarten celebrated Dr. Seuss's birthday with a week of dress-up opportunities.  Tuesday, when I was the mystery reader for Fox in Socks, it was Silly Sock Day.  (And by the way, that book is a tough one.  I was actually nervous about how I'd manage being a cheerful, entertaining reader to a class of five- and six-year-olds while casually tossing off pages of tongue twisters.  And when I confessed as much to Marley's teacher before I walked in, she mentioned that the mother from the morning class had practiced all night, because English isn't her first language.  And then I was all, okay, Jen.  Get over yourself.  Also, when the clues for the mystery reader on Tuesday included things like: "This reader loves Grover and the Celtics," I just know that Marley was rolling her eyes and saying something like, "You guys.  It's my mom.") 

Anyhow, Monday, for Cat in the Hat, it was Hat Day.  And I really pushed for the birthday cake hat we bought at Ikea a few years ago.  You don't get a lot of opportunities to wear a beauty like that, I was thinking.

Here's what Marley was thinking: I'd rather make my own, thank you very much.  That kid went to town on a crown (rhyme intended, considering) and decided that she would decorate it with pairs of rhyming words, in honor of Dr. Seuss.  I remembered hoarding some stick-on gems for an occasion just like this, and Monday morning, that kid pulled together a winner all by herself.  And I was so, so proud of my little word nerd.

It was just another version of the story that's been happening around here every so often.  I mean, remember the 100 Day Project?  The story's basic plot line is: Jen.  Relax.  Marley's got this.