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.

Breakfast conversation with Mariel
(discussing what Noella is eating)
Mariel: Does she have peanut butter waffles?
Patrick: She has plain waffles.  Remember, there are things babies can't eat, like peanut butter or honey.
Mariel: I like waffles with syrup.
Me: You are a big girl, so you can eat anything.
Mariel (after thinking a few minutes): I can't eat bees.
Me (not really hearing her as I get my coffee): Beans?  Honey, you can eat beans.
Mariel: No, mom, BEES.  I can't eat BEES.
Me: Like buzz buzz bees?
Mariel nods and smiles.
Hmm... I guess she's right- she can't eat anything!  Is it bad that she is catching me in linguistic traps at 3?

"Dear Santa
I have been very good this year.  Please can I have a princess suitcase.  Noella would like a baby dress up.  Please take care of the kids we are going to help this year.  Please bring my daddy and mommy dress ups.  Love, Mariel
PS Please be nice to my doggies."
She thinks email would be the fastest way to send the letter, but Patrick was concerned that Santa would miss her drawings.  Also her "word" of BAW1 on the top of the letter (she is not too clear on what she thinks she is spelling).  As a compromise between email and regular mail (which she doubts will get it to Santa with due speed) we left it in one of the fireplaces for the elves to come pick up.