Monsters!

Hi Dad (pretty sure you are the only reader): A big summer update and birthday update is still coming soon. You will have to scroll down for it when I put it up. I'll let you know. Love, Me

Dear Stella,

While Daddy was in LA working on The House of Blue Leaves, during your middle of the night journey from your bed to ours (bad habit that Mommy and Daddy really enjoy), you started to close both bedroom doors. One morning I asked you why you did this and you told me it was so no monsters could get in. Of course I explained to you how every night before I go to bed I check the whole house for monsters and then make sure all the doors are locked so that you never ever have to worry about monsters being in our house. But you continue to do this anyway and talk with some frequency about monsters and guarding against them. When we were in LA, for example, one night you barricaded our hotel room door with clothes, bags, shoes, etc. ranting about protecting against monsters as you ran around the room securing various objects for defense. (Imagine Dad's suprise when, at 11pm, he returned from the theater and tried to make his way into the room.)

At dinner a few nights ago, I asked you why you were afraid of monsters, what it was you thought they might do to you. You answered that they might take you away from us. And so I explained that you don't need to worry about that, that nothing, no one will take you away from me and Dad until you are ready to be taken away. You immediately responded by telling us that you never ever EVER wanted to be taken away from us, that you would stay with us forever. What can I say? I'm glad that's settled.

Love,
Mom