Who ever thought a little girl like you could destroy my beautiful wickedness?

--The Wicked Witch of the West

Ever wonder what made this chick so mean...and green? The tell all "biography" of the Wicked Witch of the West, entitled Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire is filling me in. I'm not quite halfway through the book, and I am enchanted (pun intended). Thus far I have learned the history of the early years of Elphaba (WWotW) her sister Nessarose (WWotE and the one who is crushed by Dorothy's house), and the good witch Glinda as they grow up during a time of political unrest in Oz. I am getting the feeling that the witches are not as evil as they were potrayed in the original; they become involved with resisting grassroots and political movements to eliminate a perceived lower class; these movements are tied to the ruler's religious and enviromental beliefs (any of this sounding familiar?). I wonder about the social and political symbolism...it is reminescent of similar themes in Alice in Wonderland. Who'd have thought that the Wicked Witches were really social justice pioneers in disguise? Anyone else out there read this book? I'd love to chat about it.

Now onto my little witches. Ever so slowly it becomes real to me that there are no more babies in the house...and if I should forget Kate reminds me by yelling "TATE NOT A BABY!!!!!!!!"

I feel a tinge of wistfulness about this every so often, but mostly I am thrilled. We are slowly but surely removing the babyproofing paraphernalia, Kate is well on her way to potty training, and last night we converted Kate's crib to a toddler bed and moved her into India's room. She is so proud of herself, affirming "I do it myself" when it's time to get out of bed. They are thrilled to share a room and Tracy is on his way upstairs right now to tell them to stop talking and GO TO SLEEP.

We are glad to have our guest room back (as will be many of you) but it a little sad saying goodbye to the nursery that we decorated with such care and anticipation when I was pregnant with India. Down went the baby quilt wall hanging, the changing table, and the memo board filled with baby hospital bracelets and other mementos. And it was a little strange last night to walk past that room with it's door open wide...no need to avoid the creaking board outside the room anymore. Anyone want to visit? We have extra room!