farewell to a good friend

Imagine my shock when my youngest came to me and said, “Mommy, I’m ready for the blanket fairy to come and take away my froggy.”

Background: We adore lovies in our house. Everyone has one (or two). Even me. Alex has a frog blanket which he has loved since four months. Anna has had a pink bear blanket and a different frog (which was inherited by Alex) since she was six months old. All three of the lovies accompany the kids to bed each night and on various trips. And as a Baby Buncher I have never really pushed to get rid of the bling because it soothed them when I’m dealing with other kid.

I was sad when Anna suggested she give up one of the lovies. Alex was even sadder. He and I explained over and over that once the Blanket Fairy (a character from Kevin Henkes book Owen) comes to take away the blanket that it’s gone forever.

Anna understood and even came up with her own version: Yes, the blanket fairy takes it—because I don’t need it anymore—and gives it to another baby who does need it. Uh, yes, I was floored by this.

We wrote a letter to the Blanket Fairy two nights ago (which gave me enough time to get a small gift to replace the lovey) and last night she put it under her pillow. Alex was very upset by this. I could tell in his little mind he couldn’t fathom why anyone would want to give up their lovey.

He clutched his lovey tightly and exclaimed: I will never give the Blanket Fairy my frog! Yes, yes, we know.

Before I went to bed, I snuck into Anna’s room and carefully removed the frog and replaced it with two little princess figurines for her castle. I retired froggy into the keepsake bin.

But at 5:15 she came in crying: My froggy is gone. The Blanket Fairy came, but she didn’t leave me a present.

My response: It’s because it’s 5:15 and the Blanket Fairy probably came right before you woke up. Go back to sleep and maybe she’ll come back to leave a gift. (She didn’t realize the princesses were next to her and not under her pillow.)

I heard her tear down the hallway this morning squealing about her new toys and how the Blanket Fairy really DID come. Alex looked a bit jealous, but not jealous enough to actually say goodbye to his best friend.

Meanwhile we’re down one lovey which just makes it easier to keep up with the other two. I imagine those two will be around a long time.

Comments

[Abby]

Hi! I just found you... through the grapevine that started on google with "babies 13months apart" I am in the first few weeks of my 3rd pregnancy with my 5month old (today infact) asleep in his swing... so.. my spare time will be spent roaming around your site! Glad you're here... Well now that I glance over I think I found you on Babycenter... lol .. who knows!

[Abby]

oh, did I mention I'm an Army wife? yup. will be going at this physically alone for a bit... hopefully not just before new baby is born.. but whatever happens will work out!