My Little Longfellow (and a cool holiday gift)

For the past four and a half years we have had at least one child in diapers.  For one entire year we had three.  For another entire year and a half we had two.  What I’m trying to say is that I’m thinking about Gone Girling it to a trailer in High Ridge this holiday season.

Also, holy Pampers points people.  If you don’t know what a Pampers point is, well, stay thirsty my friends.

I’ve redeemed them for toys, donated diapers to children in need, bought livestock, a panda, and a Kim Kardashian look-a-like.  And yet still we still have points coming out of our… well, you know.

A few months ago I used my points for a Shutterfly book to store the girls’ ultrasound pictures because I noticed they had begun to atrophy in our basement:

And yes – you can go ahead and file that one under Someone Has Too Much Time On Her Hands *carefully applies lipstick to Kim Kardashian look-a-like*.

Anyhoo, I had this other idea to use some for another Shutterfly book, this time I would write a children’s book.  Not for the public or money or infamy but just for my girls with funny pictures and a story about them.  But then I thought about having my 4-year-old draw the pictures, which slowly turned into having her do the whole dang thing.  Which is pretty much how everything goes around here:

BIG IDEA  > SMALL IDEA > MAKE THE KIDS DO IT

So I sat down with a pen and paper and asked her to tell me a story.  And this is exactly what came out of her mouth without missing a beat, word for word.  No editing or fixing.  And it’s riveting.  There’s a plot, conflict, a protagonist, hero, antagonist and a resolution.  And over the next few weeks she spent her quiet time drawing the pictures to accompany the story.

I am pretty sure she just sealed her fate of me pushing her to become a famous author, living vicariously through her as she dodges paparazzi at her big New York book signing.

I thought a few of you might be looking for a cool holiday gift for the grandparents, and she said it was okay to share.  Without further adieu, here is Ellie’s first published novella.  Hold onto your hats.

P.S. – I asked her, “Why Goldie for the title?”  And she said, “Because I think it is a beautiful name.  So we’ve got that.

She’ll be available for autographs Saturday at 2.  Please send talent representation inquiries to my email.