Pre-Christmas Patter

We’re gearing up for the holidays.

- Christmas cards sent? Check--but they might be a bit late.

-  Kids excited? Check. Marina is not quite with the full Yuletide program yet, and she loves to remove the shiny, colorful bulbs from the tree and place them in her secret hiding spots, like a squirrel. I’m sure we’ll be finding them until summer.

- Christmas tree set up and adorned? Check. Presents are not under the tree yet because we are an id-dominated family; kids (and, truth be told, dad) can’t wait until December 25!

Lady E. revealed a budding Gothic side to her creativity. She proudly presented us with some handmade decorations for the tree which seem to have taken a dark turn.

Look closely: we noted that black and white are her primary colors here, and Naomi says she thought that Elena said “I can see dead people” when she gave us these new ornaments.

There is also a Tim Burton influence on the Joker smile of the other one. What is Crazy E. trying to tell us through her decorations?

Marina, not to be outdone, has recently been waking us with absolute banshee shrieks in the middle of the night. This is not your ordinary crying due to nightmares—these are 30-minute-long, ear-numbing screeches that underscore her toddler anguish. So far we have not succeeded in alleviating these bouts of wailing through long hugs, whispers of support or other parental tricks. Nope. We suck it up, wait it out. ‘Tis Marina’s season to be shrill.

If the promise of Christmas is a mental vacation from some of life’s wonderful tedium, the holidays also open a psychological bay window. Let the bats fly out, my Rising Daughters, and happy holidays to all!