Excerpts from the birthday list
- sheets of velvet
- cloth
- velcro
- yarn
- t shirts
- sewing needles
- gum
- winter green tic-tacs
- surprise
This is just a partial list. Madeline also labeled each item to signify what people should get each gift (family, friends, grandma, grandpa, etc.). Most of the things on the list are related to Madeline’s and Mariana’s current (and surely short-lived) interest in Project Runway.
But the list itself isn’t as interesting as how the things got on the list, because the process illustrates the bond between sisters. Madeline didn’t just come up with these random and inane things herself. Each item on the list was discussed, evaluated, and decided upon by both girls in a fair and reasonable manner. Even though this is Madeline’s birthday, they both wanted to get things that they would both enjoy. As they discussed the list the past few days I would overhear things like, “We don’t need that … ” or “We could use that for …” or “It would be cool if we could …” In other words, it’s we, we, we. And it’s not because Mariana is bossing Madeline around, or Madeline’s strong sense of guilt is impelling her to include her sister. It’s because they both know that presents and toys and playtime aren’t fun— or even worthwhile at all— unless they are enjoyed together. Birthdays, and life in general for them, is a collaborative process.
I don’t know where these girls picked up that value, but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t from school or their parents.
