My Granddaughter's First Mani

My daughter Amy is pregnant and gobbling up every moment she can with Molly before the baby arrives in April. I can only imagine what she must be feeling, wondering what will it be like with a second child. Molly is so incredibly smart and funny at 2½ years of age. She sings, she dances and, grandma's favorite, she plays jokes on you.

It only stands to reason that Molly was ready for her first manicure. A fun first in 2011! As soon as Amy and Molly walked into the nail salon, the women working there said: “Amy, she so beautiful, she like you, she sit here, we do nails.”

Amy then spoke in Korean to another manicurist, “She must look like father.”

It was right out of Seinfeld. Amy and I decided three summers ago to learn Korean for moments like this.

Amy pulled out a recent photograph to share, “Uni, this is me and this is Molly.”

My daughter recounted this story to me over the phone as I was driving into Manhattan to see an old friend whom I reconnected with on Facebook. We had not seen one in 25 years. Of course, I became hysterical laughing and spit my coffee out all over myself, staining my winter white coat as I was about to go visit this best friend from college.

I must admit, however, I generally don't do well with coffee and driving. The little opening on the plastic coffee top is too small for gulps. And before you know it, I am wearing more coffee than I have been able to drink. You would think I would be prepared as a 55-year-old grandma to bring a second coat, just in case, or wear perhaps a cape from a hair salon when I drive. Whatever, it was worth the moment of laughter to wear the coffee. Besides, if my friend and I get reacquainted she'll understand that some things never change.

Later that day, Amy took Molly to her swim class where my granddaughter shared her first manicure moment with the swim instructor. While in the pool, the teacher approached Molly. “Would you like to see my nails?” Molly asked. “I had a mani!”

What first did you have in 2011? Mine was enjoying coffee and a new white polka dot winter coat.