I really do wonder how it is that Stella conveniently reaches behind her left ear and switches the lever from “Angry, volatile toddler” to “Adorable, docile toddler” each time we put her into an environment where anyone else is looking (at least, anyone who read this blog) . From the moment we arrived at our first destination she instantly transformed into the child that would be – making sure that all of my previous rantings made me look whiny and petulant. The diabolical nature of a 2-year-old never ceases to amaze me. It wasn’t until we tried doing a little bit of light shopping on the way out of the bay area – and safetly out of earshot of anyone who mattered – that she reached back on around and flipped the switch back. Evidenced by the gaudy, pink glitter christmas ornament we had to purchase at Pier One because someone hucked it to the floor in a fit of rage.

And so the 2005 holiday season begins…