First mate's log:
January 2, 1974
Mary Ann and I finally told the Bradys our news! They came back later than expected because the amusement park people were so happy with Mr. Brady's designs that they let them stay even longer. Yeah, they all had a great time.
The two of us went over to the Bradys' house yesterday evening for dinner. They told us about the trip and probably would've shown us photos and slides if Greg had had time to develop any. It was nice to hear about, but we were both getting anxious. Finally, Mrs. Brady asked how our holidays were, and that was a good opening.
Everybody was surprised but happy and excited for us. Jan offered to babysit, but of course by then she'll probably be back at Haskell's for the summer. Still, that would be helpful when the baby's a little older and we want to go out for the evening or something.
Bobby and Cindy joked about not forgetting them now that I'll have a little kid of my own, only I'm not sure how much they were joking. I told them that I could never forget any of the Bradys, which is very true.
My New Year's resolutions are to be a good husband and father but also look after my friends as much as possible. I turn thirty this year, so it's time to be more of an adult. At the same time, I'll try to keep the "kid" side of me alive as much as I can.
Carol Brady's diary:
January 4, 1974
Mary Ann is going to have a baby! She and Gilligan told us on New Year's Day, but I still can't get over it. I still picture them as the very young adults there were in '64. But time marches on of course. I'm very happy for them, and it's sort of like having a new baby in my family. She's due in late June, so she's not showing yet.
Meanwhile, Jan is going through some more adolescent awkwardness. She's never had Marcia's confidence and in some ways she's still in her "perfect" older sister's shadow. And Cindy has her own confidence, as the youngest, where perhaps we criticize her less than the others. (I'm not a perfect mother, despite what some think.)
Jan did start taking dance lessons again, but maybe she's not as talented a dancer, or maybe she's just out of practice compared to Marcia, Cindy, and the other students. There's going to be a ballet recital a week from Friday, and Jan didn't make it in, although her sisters did. She feels terrible about it, and her sisters feel sorry for her.
I reminded Jan that Ms. Clairette teaches other forms of dance than ballet. So she promised me she'll consider taking tap or jazz dance or something she feels more comfortable with than ballet. And, yes, I'll obviously go see my other daughters perform, but I doubt I can talk Jan into attending.
January 6, 1974
Peter told me that Jan is driving him and the other kids crazy with her tap-dancing. She didn't make it into a ballet recital that her sisters are going to be in on Friday. (Yeah, I'll try to go and support them.) So she's trying tap instead, but she's practicing at home, all the time. Yeah, too bad she's not working at Haskell's anymore, so she'd be home less. But I hope she does get better at it, and yeah, I'd go see her tap recital if she's in one.
January 8, 1974
Mike is going to make dinner! No, not tonight. Alice and I were teasing him about his lack of culinary skill. (I still remember the shambles he made of the kitchen the time he tried to help Marcia earn a cooking badge. And, yes, I was wearing myself out helping the boys practice baseball.)
Mike told us yesterday that he used to be quite the gourmet chef when he was a bachelor. Honestly, he wasn't single that long, since he married young, before college graduation, like I did. So maybe he did more than just open cans, but I don't think he was the stunning cook he was claiming to be. He didn't want to make a bet, especially after he gained weight and Alice lost some last month, but he has promised to make an amazing dinner for the family a week from Saturday.
He's already started practicing recipes. Unfortunately, Jan decided to show us her latest tap-dance moves in the kitchen while he was making a souffle! She got very discouraged, and she's thinking of giving up dancing altogether. I will encourage her to find a new hobby, but I'll wait a day or two before venturing on anything, since she's not in the mood to listen, poor girl.
January 10, 1974
Peter told me that Jan has given up on dancing, so Marcia encouraged her to become a drum majorette. Yeah, there's a little bit of dancing but mostly it's twirling a baton. Unfortunately, Jan twirled the baton right through the window! So she gave up on that hobby. She's getting pretty discouraged. I didn't have any advice about it, other than that Peter should try to support her attempts if he can.
January 12, 1974
The dance recital went well, although, yes, Jan couldn't bring herself to attend. I do feel bad for her, but I also need to support her sisters. I hope she'll try more things, find what really works for her.
Her last attempt definitely didn't go well. Marcia thought Jan should try baton-twirling, but unfortunately Jan twirled a baton right through the family room window! She just missed me and Alice! No one was hurt, but I had to get the window repaired. There are no glass-makers on the island, so I had to get one from Blenford. Yes, things were much simpler when we lived in a grass hut. But you can see why Jan is so discouraged.
Mike, on the other hand, is definitely persisting. He's still experimenting in the kitchen, trying to find just the right meal to serve to us a week from tomorrow. I'm dying of curiosity but trying to be patient.