Christmas

Eleanor's second Christmas.

Pictures say it best.

Fluffy

Before there were fluffies there was something called sitting in your high chair in a cafe without a fluffy. Before that there were no cafes and people stayed at home wishing they could go out somewhere that was a bit nicer than the tea rooms at Kirks, but not as flash as a restaurant.

Eleanor learnt on Sunday that marshmallows can expand rapidly in your mouth leading to: (1) difficulty breathing, and (2) strange facial expressions. Also that the strange facial expressions stop concerned mums and dads rushing to help with (1) because they're laughing so hard.

There is no section in our parenting guide on managing fluffies. I may write a letter. I might not.

What did you learn at school today?

I took Eleanor to school the other day. Here is what I learned:

1. If you're a man that likes to be mobbed by women carry a cute one year old around


2. If you're a man who likes to blend into the background there is no way you can do this if you're carrying a cute one year old around


3. Women are far more interested in babies than men


4. Don't take it personally when your students say: "Wow Mister, cute baby, your wife must be REALLY beautiful."

Bunny

When Eleanor was born, one of the lovely gifts she received was a very swish looking rabbit from London (thanks Matt!). We were very impressed with this rabbit - her fur was soft and silky, she had very cute ears, and she arrived in a rather elegant looking box.

Well, you should see Bunny today. (see right)

Eleanor loves her Bunny very much, but unfortunately this involves much sucking, chewing and general mauling of her. Bunny must be there for every nap and sleep - Eleanor usually ends up asleep on her tummy, with a very wet bunny stowed somewhere underneath her. When we go in to Eleanor in the mornings, she is always standing up in her cot holding Bunny out for us to take and cuddle.

Needless to say, Bunny not only looks, but also smells rather worse for the wear these days. She generally gets dried out each day in the sun on the windowsill, and gets washed now and then when I can be very sure she will be dry by bedtime. And when Eleanor stays the night at Granny Wendy's or Gram Margaret's places, Bunny must come too. There just is no substitute.

Various Bunny imposters