She's obsessed. Totally and completely obsessed with the Wizard of Oz. What happened to my little baby? How do I have a child big enough to be fully captivated by a film made in 1939? I know, I know — it's a classic. But never in a million years did I think my Little Miss Particular would not only love the film, but love every single part of it… even the talking parts… even the black and white bits. We rented Wizard of Oz from Netflix on a lark after hearing that G's friend Samantha likes it. When Gwendolyn wasn't felling well over the last few weeks and rejected her normal go-tos (Tangled, Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo, etc.), we popped the Wizard in the DVD player on a whim and I think I even said, “Doubtful” out loud. But from the moment the movie started, Miss G was riveted. Her eyes were huge and she didn't complain once. And, oh when “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” started I thought she may explode. She has this song in her music box and seeing it “live” well that just about made her entire week. Sure enough, the next day the only movie she wanted to watch was Wizard of Oz. And the next day. And the next. We have now purchased it…and it has paid for itself twice over. While I was at it I got several of the fun classic musicals, totally excited to share these goodies with my new musical-loving buddy. Only problem is she will have none of it. Only Wizard of Oz. The rest will have to wait until the ruby slipper lustre has faded.
We also downloaded the music on her iPod and so it is pretty much a 24/7 Wizard of Oz fest around here. She especially likes when I sing along (I have now learned all of the words to the “Munchkinland Musical Sequence”: “Ding dong the witch is dead. Which old witch? The Wicked Witch…”). I definitely had my thespian days in high school and college and I've always loved a good musical, but I am no Judy Garland. I'm so glad my sweetness thinks I am. I'll sing around the clock for her if she keeps looking at me with that “Oh wow Mommy!” expression. She melts me.
I am in a bit of a pickle though. Gwendolyn was having trouble in the bath without her bipap, panicking a bit since she is still recovering from her illness, so I was distracting her and nothing would calm her down but chatting about the Wizard of Oz. For some reason I promised to find her Wizard of Oz pajamas and that really relaxed her so I got well into the promise. Little did I know that this would be a challenge. I've googled and searched and never thought Wizard of Oz pjs would be so hard to find. If anyone knows where or how I could make this special ensemble happen, please share.
Now off to see the Wizard… 