Rudolph?

Isabelle and Aidan were thrilled to have visitors this morning. Between Christmas and the pox (marks I and II) we have been isolated from other children for some time.

During the visit, I showed the girls Brendon's deer hide, which has been recently relocated from the garage to the lounge room floor. I showed them the bullet hole and a photo of Brendon with the deer (which was shot during his trip to Stewart Island a good six months back).

I thought I may have traumatised the younger girl when she looked up at me and said "a reindeer?". I had visions of her imagining Brendon taking pot shots at Rudolph et al. on Christmas Eve....

No, no (I was quick to reassure her). White tailed deer! Pest management! Native bush regeneration!

Thankfully, when I related this to her mother when she came to do pick up, she was able to tell me that actually they had a reindeer skin at their place (and this may have been what she was thinking about all along). Here's hoping!