We're revisiting the March household. Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, as well as beloved Marmee, are a big part of our days right now.
Yesterday, we made a post office. Just as the Marches shared with their neighbor Laurie the delights of unexpected mail, we're sharing the delight of notes full of love, gratitude or silliness. Betsy made mini flip-books for everyone, Anne shared one of her fashion designs with each of us (see this link for the Christmas present Anne is still enjoying), "Marmee" left the girls notes telling them how dearly she loves them, and Ramona (who had decorated her mailbox with a primitive happy face) checked her mail a number of times. "Father" came home from the war last night and was happily surprised by an overflowing mailbox.
Our post office is simple: Five envelopes, each made from two pieces of construction paper, taped together, with the front panel cut down decoratively to reveal the opening. Each bears a name (poor Meg has been left out as my girls dubbed themselves Amy, Jo and Beth) and they are all taped on a door in the kitchen, with Ramona's low enough that she can reach in and check it by herself.
What's up next? The girls are planning a Little Women tea party based on ideas from Emilie Barnes's Let's Have a Tea Party!
4 comments:
I'm so glad your girls are enjoying the little women. My own daughter didn't like the book. Perhaps if it had been a read aloud she might have, and I think she may have tackled it as a read on your own at the wrong age. Maybe it's just that she was more into horses and such at the point that she read it. I did it with lit class girls a few years ago and they enjoyed it more. As much as I loved Little Women, I think I read Little Men more times.
My class girls were also treated to a couple of Louisa's pot boiler short stories, one of which featured people getting high on hashish. They are a far cry from the world of Marmee and the girls.
We did lots of tea parties around here, including birthday teas. I made my own finger rolls and we broke out the china tea set that Abby got one Christmas (minature cups etc.). It was always loads of fun, albeit a lot of work for mom too. I hope you're wise enough to figure out an easier way to do the party foods so you aren't wiped out before the party starts.
Karen,
I just reread your Christmas letter and just found your blog. : )
I'm not sure if you know, but this was Mom's favorite book growing up. She wanted to name one of her girls after one of the characters in the story, but Dad didn't like them. Well, when Amy came along, she got two for one. Amy Margaret.
Enjoy, this was one of Blythe's favorites and we played quite a bit of croquet and had a couple tea parties. I think Joel liked those the best.
Lisa
Liz,
Yes, read aloud is the way to go, I think -- then we all get to enjoy it. Plus, it can be slightly dense reading for younger ones.
Lisa! :-) Yes, we love this book. We first read it a couple of years ago, so it was time to pull it out again, especially after enjoying "The Penderwicks" together, which has lots of allusions to Little Women.
Be on the look out for a box from Amazon to encourage you in your tea parties. If it's something you already own pass it on.
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