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1. Is the following example correct in relation MLA citation rules?  I am not sure if one citation in parentheses end of the sentence will suffice, but it would look weird to have (112)  after each one- or three-word quote.

   Rule: use very short quotations—only a few words—as part of your own sentence 

   Here's the example:  Ralph reminisces about how everything in his life used to be “good-humored and friendly”; how his nightly “bowl of cornflakes with sugar and cream” and the weight of The Mammoth Book for Boys in his hands were comforting, reliable, and could be counted on; and how avoiding the unpleasant things in life like page twenty-seven of the book “about the magician . . . with the awful picture of the spider” was now no longer simply a matter of choice (112).  

Here's the example:  Ralph reminisces about how everything in his life used to be “good-humored and friendly”; how his nightly “bowl of cornflakes with sugar and cream” and the weight of The Mammoth Book for Boys in his hands were comforting, reliable, and could be counted on; and how avoiding the unpleasant things in life like page twenty-seven of the book “about the magician . . . with the awful picture of the spider” was now no longer simply a matter of choice (112).  

Yes, I think the citation is correct. However, the sentence is too long. I'd break it up into two or three smaller sentences and put the citation at the end of the last one. It will be evident that all of the quotations are from the same source and on the same page.

I think your citation is correct and very clear.  The only thing I would add is this:  the very first citation in an essay should have the last name of the author beforehand.  (Or perhaps this is an antiquated rule?)  Anyway, I don't recognize the quote given here, but let's say someone named "Smith" wrote the book, then your very first citation should look read as follows:  (Smith 112), or whatever page number it's on.  The rest can just have the number.  Now that I've thoroughly confused you.  *sigh*  MLA citation is a BEAR, isn't it?  ; )