When Given Lemons...

This is what we found yesterday shortly before leaving for a birthday gathering.  I left the present in the car specifically because I thought it would be the safest place.  We have a little lady who loves to open things.  She went outside to play, and when she returned I asked her what she had found outside.  She told me she was opening the birthday present.  Here was the opportune Aldort moment.  Lots of thoughts went through my head, but I chose to say "I feel sad" which I DID NOT need to say (I'll keep working on that).  I said to her "it's hard to resist opening a present" to which she began to cry.  I said to her "you feel sad" of which she actually replied "I wanted the present to be for me."  WOW!  She cried for another minute and then went on about her business.  Without the help of Aldort, that moment would have been a nightmare for her (and for everyone else).  Thank you, Aldort.  Best moment of the day.

Anyway, so neither Clara nor Simon were angry about the present opening, even though they had been so excited about the wrapping job.  Instead, Clara said "Mom, we can use cloth!"  They both ran inside to find the perfect cloth and this is what followed. 

Much more interesting indeed.

So, this led to more sewing projects that day.  Heart-shaped pillows for her dolls...

of which her dolls slept on that night...complete with a nightgown fashioned with Ruthie's old pants

and I just have to throw in the outfit Clara fashioned for Ruthie out of her own old dress and pants...

Lemons made into lemonade indeed.