Zoemagic crosses the generations

Zoe proves her mahambaho jahambaho works not only on adults but on children too, when she convinces her big girl buddy Madison to push her around on her Little Mermaid ride.

Taking it to the streets

Or at least to the hallways.

This weekend, Zoe & Eleni climbed aboard their Little Mermaid speedsters and headed out to the big bad hallway, complete with dualling soundtracks.

Bring it on speed-demons!

(While you're bringing it on, I'll just be down here taking a little nap. Wake me up when you arrive.)

Christmas card photo shoot outtakes

Ever wonder about the photos that DON'T make it onto the Christmas card?

Size matters

When I was growing up, my mom used to buy everything two sizes too big because I grew so fast. Especially winter wear.

Eventually, I forgave her.

Did you hear that, Zoe, I forgave her.

My first scrunchie

Eleni has discovered the joy of 1980s hair accessories.

Maroon velour hair accessories, to be exact.

She likes to remove this particular one from my head and then hold it on top of her head with both hands until I put it in her hair.

If it weren't velour, there's no way it would hold. Thank goodness for velour.

Standing strike officially over

After one month of standing up...followed by a two month no-standing strike... Zoe has decided that standing isn't really that bad.

We can only hope it works out so well for the Writers Guild.

Step aside, Akiane Kramarik

I'll see your 11-year old child prodigy artist and raise you TWIN 1-year old child prodigy artists.

Or at least twin 1-year-olds wielding free off-brand primary color crayons from Houlihans.

Full disclosure: I wrote their names and the boxes around them and a couple of the scribbles at the bottom of the page. But the other brilliant squiggles are entirely Zoe & Eleni.

As are the new crayon squiggle designs on our bedroom carpet...

Punk rock is dead...long live punk rock.

This afternoon, Kostas broke the news to Eleni that Sid Vicious is dead.

The biggest fans are always the last to know.

The chubby one

Zoe weighs a good three pounds less than Eleni.

And yet today she was identified as "the chubbier one" by an admirer on the street.

I can't imagine what about her bundled up appearance could give that impression.

(W.C. Fields anyone?)

Just stop right there...

...and step away from the blankie.

That's right. Our favorite little serial monogomist (see previous loves Birdy and Mr. Caterpillar) has moved on -- and this time it's serious.

When we reach down to pick Zoe up out of her crib in the morning, she makes a mad dash for Blankie and hugs him tight to her face lest he be left behind.

Blankie gets lots of hugs and snuggles and kisses -- and he goes everywhere with Zoe, getting dragged along as she crawls around the condo.

On the plus side, we don't have to Swiffer much anymore.