Christmas decorating with imaginative children (and cats)

We decorated our home for Christmas two weeks ago. I have not seen most of the holy family since the moment we opened the boxes. The spot created for them in our living room sits empty while they cavort around the house, doing I know not what.  I recently discovered two members playing in Barbie’s camper.

Given his rugged life, both in Bethlehem and camping with Barbie, it is understandable that Joseph would suffer injuries and even lose a limb.

Adventures in painters tape and other Christmas delights

We have reached new heights of engineering in our home. Barbie needed an elevator. Naturally.  In the absence of wire cables and steel, a pulley was constructed of painters tape, Duplo blocks, and a graduation cord.

I can’t speak for Barbie, but I would totally trust my life to such sturdy engineering. Especially with the hedgehog operator on site to manage any crises. 

American parenting: are we worrying about the right things?

If you pay any attention to the news, the past month has been a particularly scary one. From terrorist attacks in Paris to a shooting rampage at a Christmas party in California, there appears to be nowhere you can go and be safe.

Is this true? Are we living in a particularly dangerous moment? People who study the actual numbers say no.

I have been reading a book called Free Range Kids by Lenore Skenazy.