Stuff and fluff

Of the various and sundry phobias that enter the toddler heart, wolves seem to be our present challenge. Frankie and Teresa have pretended, of late, to run from wolves hiding in our house. In the kitchen I'll hear, "A wolf! A wolf! Run!" followed by the patter of small feet back and forth through the hallway and rooms.

This morning Frankie came up to me wide-eyed. "The wolves are coming. We need to lock all the doors."

"Ok," I said, "go ahead and lock the doors." Why not.

"Mommy," she adds, "they're going to eat ALL our decorations. And... (pause)... your COFFEE."

I believe I speak for all mothers out there: these wolves need to go.

On another note, we were busy bakers yesterday. Frankie and I cranked out several batches of mini cupcakes with her new baking set. Thanks Lolo! We've got lots of leftovers-visitors welcome anytime.

Photos by Frankie

She's available for weddings and other events, folks, using her state of the art Discovery Kids camera equipment.

Christmas at the Farrs

Grandmommy's beautiful art-nouveau tree- always a surprise and a delight.

It's Clara! Great gift idea from Hilary for the budding ballerina.

Teresa in pink leopard skin print of course, with five bows in her hair to celebrate baby Jesus.

Photo op with the look-alikes!

The Christmas nap.

Never judge a gingerbread house by its cover

To the naked eye, this is the perfect gingerbread house. Cozy little cottage.



Woops! It's still under construction. Next time, we'll double the recipe. Looks cute from the front, though, right?

Getting in the Christmas spirit

Homeless Santa landed on Baby David's head. He thought it was a chimney. David didn't seem to mind.

The Christmas Mantle

The past three years, around this time, my mother-in-law and I have visited a certain neighborhood holly tree. We happen to bring along a small pair of shears. This year I drove. We pulled up to the aforementioned tree. She hopped out and quickly, but reverently, removed a few choice sprigs, then quickly returned to the car. We drove away.

The tree is on an island in the middle of a street in our neighborhood. It is lush with berries every year. Don't you agree a tree like that could use a little annual pruning?

And just so you know the full truth, the greenery that fills in much of the mantle is not from the holly tree. It's from our neighbor's huge pine tree across the street...

Anyone want to go to Confession with me this Saturday?

Thanksgiving in Cleveland

David and GG hit it off beautifully. They were introduced and he quickly proceeded to suck her fingers in a gesture of love.

Teresa got to blow out two candles on Lola's famous chocolate birthday cake.

David got cozy in Santa's arms on the Polar Express after spending the previous hour crying. He just needed a little one on one with the big guy.

"What would you like for Christmas little girl?"
Frankie was honored on this train ride with special attention from Santa for being so patient and good (one of Santa's elves stationed next to us reported this to him). He gave her his hat to wear.

A trip to a nearby farm park.

Only Teresa would sport a fur coat tilling the soil. We mustn't shed our glamor, even on the John Deere.

David, in good hands, on a brisk walk through the neighborhood.
Lolo and David sharing a moment.

On a separate note, we've all come down with colds. In an effort to spare my sore throat I've been whispering the past two days, and I must say the results have been somewhat inspiring. There's a calm in the house when I can't raise my voice, or talk for that matter. Frankie and Teresa whisper back when I whisper to them to be kind to each other, or that sorry, I can't read that book today. They've been playing creatively together all morning, seldom coming to me with questions and problems. Maybe I should write this up as an experiment in some child psychology book: "Whisper Therapy." And maybe I'll continue to whisper after the sore throat subsides.