A year ago today, I was in the emergency room at Children's Hospital waiting to get Mariel's head stitched up.  It was also Noella's due date, which gave many of the doctors (and nurses, and custodians) reason to pause and look a little worried.  As we now know, there was no need- just like Mariel, Noella was coerced into being born five days after her due date.

Her first birthday party is tomorrow, with far more people than should be allowed to attend a baby's party.  Since she is my "chunky monkey" she is having a monkey themed party.  Here are the cake and cupcakes.

They are being stored VERY high overnight, to prevent any interested dogs from taking a taste.

And now I must go work on my strategies for entertaining 14 children and their respective adults.  I'm thinking pin the banana on the monkey.  I'll report tomorrow...

Michael Jackson...
is still a part of our dinner conversation. At some point this summer, Mariel picked up on the whole Michael Jackson craze after his death.  My best guess is that she overheard it on the radio as we drove around NY/ New England, and then heard people talking about it.  And of course, this summer was high Peter Pan fan time, so once she heard that Michael lived at Neverland Ranch, well, she was hooked.  So she would do things like wake up and play in her room and tell Patrick and I that she was playing with Peter Pan and Michael.  "Michael?" We would ask.  "Michael Jackson," she would say, smiling.
So today, at dinner, she asks me: "Mom, is Michael sad or dead?"   "WHAT?"  I reply.  "Michael Jackson.  Is he sad or dead?"  (I avoid answering the question, because the real answer is both and that seems like it would get complicated).  "Why are you thinking about him, Mariel?"  She shrugs.  From what I can gather, there was no reason or conversation that drew her attention to Michael.  She just was thinking about him.  I wonder if she thinks about him often?  Bizarre.  Another indication that I have NO idea what is going on in her head.

Its been a good day.  Actually, a good week.  And I want to recognize that, because often I get caught up in the tired/ stressed/ busy/ annoyed mode and forget that there are days when it really feels good to be in my life. I aspire to the whole idea of living gratefully, thoughtfully, and optimistically, but I rarely even being to incorporate that into my day.  So I will work on that- but at least (continuing in the positive tone), I did so today!

On a different topic, I also wanted to point to some of Mariel's new skills with letters:

She decorated these trees for Christmas.  The little one in the middle spells her name (just not quite in order).  You can make out all of the letters- the R is upside down.  The big tree is for Mia (darling Mia, I will mail it to you!) and has her name on there twice.  Just in case.