I think I’ll be visiting my parents’ home a lot more from now on.

Sure, it’ll be nice to see them, but I’ll also be stopping by to see the girls — in the form of my mom’s holiday gift, a painting by Amanda Blake, creator of the girl in the party hat and one of my all-time favorite artists. The painting doesn’t look EXACTLY like Annabelle and Sophie — that’s not Amanda’s style — but it captures their spirit beautifully. I love it.

I held my breath, hoping my mom would, too. She did.

Amanda titled the painting, “Sophie and Annabelle in a field of wildflowers and a flutter of butterflies.”

I hope your holiday is just as cheerful.