Starlight Mice in Berlin

While the trip in checked luggage was a bit grueling (and we thought we had it bad in economy coach), our three Starlight mice arrive ears intact. Apparently the x-ray of my bag didn't trigger a security check.

Simone, Greta, and Alfred

The mice were still safely packed in their box when I unpacked my luggage, but I can tell you that they were eager to explore our apartment once we released them.

Simone is a party girl, so this German confetti looked quite promising to her. She got her nest together quite quickly.


Of course the Starlight mice were the first to find the chocolate eggs on our pillows.

You can bet this one isn't going to last long. Greta offered to help us find our way to the toy at the center of that egg (translation: to eat the chocolate shell). All three mice helped us eat our way to the toy.

Our first Kinder Egg toy is revealed! The Starlight mice have gathered on the kitchen window ledge to discuss their next job.


We need to get to the grocery store soon to decide what new treats to bring them. Apparently they snacked a bit while we were out walking today.

An Italian Surprise

I probably should have gotten suspicious when I caught a young Starlight mouse reading an Italian food blog on my computer and then asking that I call him Topino instead of Frank. But my friend Laura was planning a trip to Rome for the holidays so I suspected he'd overheard our discussion and that is what had stirred his interest in everything Italian.

When Laura came to say goodbye before she left, she must have been carrying a large purse.

I didn't hear from her over Christmas. Then just after New Years a photo came by email of a New Year's gathering at the home of Laura's cousin Giovanni. At first I thought the photo was about the gathering and the food.

But then I saw the next photo.

Wait! Those almond ears and clove eyes look disturbingly familiar. (Click on the photo to see an enlarged version.) Apparently Topino, unable to pass himself off as another dinner roll or as part of the centerpiece, had been discovered by one of the children.

Obviously Topino had been dining well during the holidays in Rome. He'd clearly had put on some weight since I'd last seen him. And he doesn't look particularly repentant either.

I'd like to say that this is the next best thing to being there myself, but it's not. I'm sure when he arrives home I'll have to listen to detailed descriptions of the delicious foods he nibbled on before he was captured.

Lucky for Topino, Laura's family embraced their unexpected guest with Italian exuberance and warmth. Topino was expected to eat heartily along with the family and after dinner he was given a place of honor in front of their Nativity scene.

I want to thank Laura's family for their generosity and kindness to Topino. I'm sure it warmed his little chocolate heart to spend New Years in the midst of this lovely family and I'm happy to know that he is safe and well-fed.