Knock, Knock

Clearly I need to start carrying a piece of wood around with me everywhere I go. For knocking on. Because I've been blabbing all over town at every holiday gathering about how peaceful the kids have been lately; about how they're in this nice phase of harmony and cooperation. And now, suddenly, today, as if to directly refute all of the nice things I've been saying about them, they seem intent on maiming one another. No full moon tonight, so lack of knocking on wood is the only possible explanation.

The last night of Christmas lights

I have the desperate urge to unChristmas the house, so this is my last tree pic of 2010.
Question: If I force Clara to hold the guitar correctly, instead of restringing it upside-down, will it turn her into a stutterer like King George VI?P.S. Still didn't dig out the camera manual to figure out how the heck to take low-light photos. I guess I really don't deserve a new camera, if I can't even dedicate myself to learning how to navigate the point-and-shoot. *slaps self on wrist*

Building stuff

When you refuse to buy a "Battle Arena" for your kid's fake hamster (on the grounds that the whole concept is completely ridiculous and a massive waste of money), they might just build their own arena out of books and blocks. Who's the genius that decided mechanical hamsters should be ninja warriors, anyway? Seriously, people. Can't we do something a bit more constructive with all of the creative energy that's out there?