Holidays Happening

Now that Tickle Bug has a full-sized house, she needs a full-sized tree, so last night after dinner at Steinbecks, Mama and Daddy bought one. The previous tree was a miniature affair, but this one is the real deal, and after spending half an hour choosing the one she wanted, Sweet Goblin helped Mama decorate it with lights this morning. She makes a very excited "Ooh!" sound when she sees it, and Daddy and Mama expect there'll be a lot more Oohing and Aahing once all the presents are scattered around beneath it. Don't tell Little Monster, but they both have a very special present picked out for Sweet Girl this year.

The weekend was long and full, with Mama and Daddy having a party Saturday night and Joddie coming to dinner on Sunday. Sweet Girl stayed up late on both nights! On Saturday she watched Totoro three times until Daddy finally said no, which resulted in a little bit of fussing. But then Elena came to stay while Mama and Daddy went to the party, so Tickle Bug had the chance to help Elena with her homework. On Sunday, Mama had to work, so Baby Girl helped Daddy make stuffed cabbage while they watched football together. She likes to watch things boil on the burner, so it was a grand old time making the orzo to put in with the cabbage leaves. When Joddie came over, she brought Lucky Dog, and after her bath, Little Monster couldn't stop laughing when Lucky Dog chased Daddy around the living room.

Baby Girl is very enthusiastic about her baths now that Mama puts bubbles in them. In fact, tonight she specifically asked for bubbles -- even though tonight isn't bath night. This Sweet Girl sure gets attached to things.

Madeleine has also been collecting some great pajamas. Here she is in her nightshirt, but she also has some Christmas pajamas that Grandma Raye sent that she's worn two nights in a row. A few instances of Naked Baby have occurred at night, so blanket sleepers have to be augmented with a safety pin. Otherwise, when Mama or Daddy goes into Tickle Bug's room, they're greeted with a hurled blanket sleeper!