Mary Melcher

We have been in non-stop play mode since Christmas.

Wonder why? :)

Amelia has played with all of the above several times since ripping the wrap off December 25th.  

We have watched "My Neighbor Totoro" about 25 times 

and have read every book...at least twice.  One being "Mommy, Who Does God Love?"

Which brings me to...

Mary Melcher.

I dug out a mug that was my moms for this post.  

My mom loved Mary Melcher cards.  I have several packed away in one of several big bins of "all things saved".  I still have a calendar that she gave me for Christmas that is missing a few pictures, no doubt used for a craft back in the late 80's...dang it.  These were still intact: 

 As I am typing this, I remember a notepad my mom had given me with a bear in a swing in the upper left corner.  I am pretty sure I saved a page and it too is included in that big box of saved things I mentioned ... I won't try to find it for this post :)  Yep...my mom and I were kind of obsessed. 

Then I didn't see our familiar bear for quite some time.   I actually remember searching stores...coming up empty handed.

Twenty-five or so years later, along comes Amelia.  

Like every new parent, I searched Ebay and Amazon for used books of ones I loved.  Being an older first time mom, books that I actually saved were a bit fragile to actually read again.

I searched for toys I remembered having.  I searched for favorite television shows (Bugs Bunny is one of Amelia's favorites).  I searched for artists and authors from my past.  

I found Mary Melcher!

I placed a comment on her Etsy shop on how glad I was to see those familiar bears.   I explained I was trying to harvest a bookworm and it seemed to be working...

She graciously signed "Puppies Count".  

I explained, although I have a potential bookworm, I also have a horse loving cowgirl.  

I framed the postcard she sent along with the print.

I also explained I have a girl who wants to be a mermaid when she grows up.  I asked if she had a print of what she calls her "Merbear" that I saw some time ago...somewhere.  It would be a perfect gift for Amelia's mermaid themed birthday in March. Mary said she would look.

I ordered Christmas Thank You's and Cards for Amelia and Rob in a recent purchase.  Mary said in a note that she included a gift to Amelia with my order.

I had nearly forgotten about the Merbear request.

In the package was this: 

Now appropriately hanging above her castle tent where she reads to her stuffed friends.

All are new treasures.  Someday...hopefully...in Amelia's box of saved things.

Thank you, Mary, for this post permission.  Will be in touch.