Mollie's Doppelganger

Our oldest daughter Mollie has a doppelganger. Shortly after she started at Hacienda school (SJUSD), we discovered there was another girl in kindergarten who had an uncanny resemblance to Mollie. The little girl is slightly shorter than Mollie, but she has the same build, similar facial structure and nearly identical hair.
It's strange enough to me that anyone else could look like my daughter, let alone sit in the next classroom at her school.
We've crossed paths with the family a few times outside school and at school functions. The similarities between the two girls have forged a casual friendship and there have been a few occasions when we laughed about how much the girls resemble one another.
The girls seem to regard each other as friends and joke a little about being twins (boy, I hope that doesn't cause problems later). They've been mistaken for each other at the school by their own friends. Seriously, they REALLY do look a lot alike.

Anyway... Today, Mollie got her first fish story (Stick with me here, it loops around). The school has a 'nature acre' - an outdoor 'classroom' complete with a moving water pond system, native vegetation, ducks, and crayfish. They compost and raise gardens as well. Today was Mollie's classes turn to go crayfishing. They cast lines baited with meat in order to catch the crayfish. Mollie caught two today! A baby (which she said was green) and a rather large adult. Apparently, after her catch she actually slipped and fell into the pond!
She was soaked to her waist and was reportedly quite the trooper dealing with the incident. They took her to the office and got her a change of clothes (yay for uniforms!).
I thought that alone made for a great story. Good enough to post about. Here's the kicker.
Mollie's Doppelganger's mother was in the office today when Mollie came in to get changed.
She asked what happened and the story was told. She said her daughter had the same thing happen to her the day before!
That's right, within 24 hours Mollie and her doppelganger had BOTH slipped into the same pond!
Coincidence? I think not!

Official Family Pet

After much thought and advice, this morning we visited Dolphin Pet and spent an hour with a fantastic employee and got a beta fish. Mollie picked a blue one with some red in it so it has a purple look she thinks. Allie gave her approval with the employee's encouragement. He was so good with the girls and in explaining everything we need to do to care for this easy fish. Now to decide if he gets a name...

Our New Pet and Hidden Talents

Lately we have been going back and forth about getting a pet. Hamster, bunny, chinchilla, fish, guinea pig... You know the routine. Something small that the kids can be involved in caring for with Scott. I think today a pet found us. Our bird feeder has been supplying treats for local birds for about a year now. This morning a squirrel discovered it. The first time we have seen a squirrel take interest in the feeder. They spent all last summer running along the fence, passing it without a second glance. But today this little squirrel hit the jackpot.
Recently Allie learned how to cross her eyes. Then she figured out how to turn out her lower lip and stick out her tongue to make fat lips. Last night for dinner we got a combo.

Gold Medalist

Thank you to everyone who helped Mollie surpass her walk-a-thon goal for Hacienda. She raised $142! Mollie earned a t-shirt and gold medal to proudly wear while walking.

Despite the steady light rain and cool temperature all morning long she had a lot fun. She started with jogging the first couple laps on her own (her idea!), walked with friends for a while, then Scott and I took turns walking a couple laps too. Mollie walked a total of 3 miles!

Mollie walking with a friend from class. Mollie is wearing a candy lei Allie picked out for her.

A little blurry, but a cute picture. Lots of smiles this wet morning.

Enjoying our hot dogs after the walk. Mollie was very excited about these because her science teacher was selling them. THANK YOU!! YOUR SUPPORT IS GOING DIRECTLY INTO NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET FOR MUSIC, SCIENCE, ART, AND MORE!!
(Now be expecting a call to collect the money, unless you are in Papau New Guinea!)