The Amazing and True Story of Flat Elizabeth

(OK, it's not that amazing. I just said that so you'd read it.  But but it is true.)

So, my 8 year old niece Elizabeth sent me a packet containing her Flat Elizabeth school project about a month ago.  Flat Elizabeth is a flat, paper version of the real Elizabeth.  She's about 8 inches tall and looks like this:

Since I live in a different state, my niece thought I would be a good person to help her with this project; my part of the deal was to take her to different places and photograph her doing exciting things and send back pictures and descriptions of the different and exciting places and things she had done with me.

But I could do one better- I told Elizabeth: I'll take Flat Elizabeth to Italy! She was thrilled.  She was positive that she would have the best Flat Person project in her entire class.  I was pretty pleased about how the whole thing was working out myself.

So I get to Italy and go to take Flat Elizabeth out of the front pocket of my suitcase where I had packed her.  No Flat Elizabeth.  My heart skips a beat.  I get a little panicky and search all of my things- still no Flat Elizabeth.  I become furious with the security people at Kennedy Airport, since they have obviously stolen her.  I start formulate the speech I am going to make on my return trip when I confront them and demand her return.

It's too late to call my husband to share the sad news, but I call him as soon as I know he'll be awake the following day.  He tells me that Flat Elizabeth is on the bed in the guest room.  I never packed her.  I feel a little silly, but relieved that she's not lost forever.

So, I take lots of fab pictures of Italy and come home and contact my son in Japan.  He is a photo-shop wizard- he can make anything look real.  I send him some pictures and my photo of Flat Elizabeth and tell him that I need him to make it look like she went to Italy with me.  Here's what he came up with:

 Flat Elizabeth taking the subway.

Flat Elizabeth on the Spanish Steps.

Me holding Flat Elizabeth at the entrance to St. Peter's.

I guess I forgot to mention to my son that she is only 8 inches tall.  But I did think these pictures were pretty funny.