Dianne- I am so very sorry for you and your family. What a terrible tragedy.

I had one of those moments today, where you just thank whatever higher powers there may be for being alive and for having such a group of wonderful people to be a part of your life. My son's school had their Holiday Program, and I just choked up with all the 3-5 year olds singing. My little baby boy is getting so big, and it just truly breaks my heart to think that anything could happen to him. I can't even imagine what a loss. I'm hugging my kids a little harder tonight.

Was browsing in a Artist store today looking for something for my daughter's birthday. Bin sketching my whole life and I had never bin in one before so it was cool. Bought some woodless pencils( how cool is that!), smudgers, and a sketch book for her. Some of the cool stuff I noticed; watercolor pencils, draw like ya normally would then ya soften the lines with a wet brush(neat! ). Portfolios; just slip your pix in the plastic sleaves and ya got a binder of your fave pix, or in my case my kids and mine. Definately going back when I do my Christmas shopping 

Letters to Santa: I never realized how much my parents might have hung on my every painstakingly written word or uttered syllable.� Oh My Dog.� It's crazy.

I was going to nominate this story for Christmas follies, but it's child-centred, so you get it here: My daughter only asked for one thing from Santa in her letter.� A "vanilla pony" - turns out to stand about three feet high, and is slightly animatronic.� I don't know how else to describe my dismay - but oh, my goodness.� So my husband agreed to take a stab at the discussion.� We are five people in a two-bedroom house.� We are not going to welcome a vanilla pony at this time.� We've already welcomed the hugging panda and polar bears, as well as the yapping dog and the "trainable" dalmation.� All electronic, all loved for a week or two, all scaring the begeezus out of me when their plaintive purrs or moans emerge from the toy box when the debris shifts.� �Trust me - take the batteries out when the kids lose interest - it'll preserve your sanity.

Anyway - he spoke with her gently about the possibility that Santa may know her house as well as she does - and that he may decide there is a better toy for her...

She was in tears, worried the elves made the pony already, and what will they do with it? We explained that the pony would probably go to another child who needs it more.� She has so much already, after all is said and done.� She agreed she could write another letter or send an email to add some more items and "cancel" the pony order.� Now I know why Mom always said - ask for more than one thing - you never know what Santa will bring you.� She was too right!

We're insanely planning and building a Barbie doll house� (3 stories, or four? Does that include an attic?!) and, forgive me, we toyed with the idea of making it a gift from Santa, but in a fit of one of the deadly sins (pride? sloth?) we decided to make the dollhouse from us, that way we could take their compliments and explain the mess of construction materials left behind (less pressure to clean up).�

With three girls under the age of 7, it's a no-brainer gift, and we will make space for a three foot high, two and a half foot wide dollhouse.� A pony?� Sorry.� No room at this inn.� Barbie's in the house!

Even scarier? Their Papa has taken to saying "when I retire" and following that line with all manner of threats, one of which, apparently, was a pony.� Has the man never heard of the memory retention powers of small children for authoritative promises?�

Yes, I agree with Robyn.  I love reading your posts Pam - you always put a smile on my face!