Fruit "Cake"

There's a little girl in our church who has QUITE the reputation.

She's about Jones's age - the fifth of sixth children and the only girl, and she only knows how to function in the world as she's seen done by her big brothers, so she's rough and tough and loves to tumble.

Bless her heart.

It's actually pretty adorable. But it's also made her something of a nursery LEGEND.

The boys, though, had never even mentioned her, so I guessed they just steered clear of her domain.

Until today.

Today, I went to pick them up from the nursery, and they both ran to me, excited, but also saying, "Mama! Kate (only, Jones calls her 'Cake') pushed me." I just laughed and brushed it off, telling them, "She didn't mean to" and "She was just trying to play with you."

Jeremy and I were laughing about it as we strapped ourselves into our seats. That's when Kate came out, leading a line that included her mom and most of her brothers. I pointed her out to Jeremy, saying, "That's Kate."

Jones must've spotted her at the same time, because I soon after heard him say, sincere concern in his voice, "Hey! Let's get outta here! Cake's coming."

It was hilarious. It totally reminded me of the bully the kids avoid on "A Christmas Story." "Cake" is definitely not one to be avoided, but she's got that kinda rep in Arden Pres nursery circles.

I'll bet it serves her well in a house full of brothers!

After church, we went to War-Mart. Jones had asked if we could get a star to put on top of the Christmas tree in his room. I wanted to buy "Rudolph" on DVD, so the boys would recognize him when we "meet" him at Dollywood, so I said, "Yes."

While we were there - just Jones and I went in - he also picked out some door decor for him and Freddie. As soon as we got home, I hung his on the door. He called it "Red Nose the Reindeer." I collapsed from the cuteness of that and privately mourned, knowing that he'd correct himself as soon as he watched the movie after nap time.

Sure enough, he did. "Red Nose the Reindeer" became "Rudolph the Reindeer." To me, though, he will always be "Red Nose."

As for the star, Jones picked out one that is just covered in turquoise glitter (he picked a Kentucky blue one for Freddie). We put it on his tree when we got home, and he looked at it proudly but said, "It needs to light up." The star was NOT the light-up kind, so I just wrapped some of his tree lights around it, and that not only appeased Jones; it AMAZED him.

As planned, he watched "Red Nose the Reindeer" not once but TWICE after getting up from (not) napping.

'Tis the Season, People, and so far, this one has been super.