We are counting the days to Christmas. Watching the kids enjoy the magic certainly adds to the season.

Our kitchen renovation is finally complete! Since the kitchen takes up half the ground floor of our little house, it was quite disruptive. The kitchen was completely gutted and redesigned. It is now more functional and spacious, and has considerably more storage. It is much more beautiful too! We also replaced our old appliances and kitchen table. It's hard to believe it's the same room. We are very pleased with the result and now love to spend time in the kitchen, (although not necessarily cooking!)

After much debate this fall, we switched Paisley to a French Immersion school for greater academic challenge. It is definitely more academic and more challenging. It was a big adjustment for Paisley - new school, new kids, new language, more work and the longer full days of grade one. But she likes it now and is doing well. She is still taking music. In addition, to learning the glockenspiel, she will be introduced to the dulcimer (a simple stringed instrument) and the recorder. After school, homework, and music practice she spends all her free time being absolutely DOG CRAZY!

Tamsin has learned to swim. She now easily swims the 25m length and is comfortable in the deep end, treading water endlessly. Skating is not coming as quickly for her but we keep trying. Her favorite activities at the moment are cutting with scissors and stapling. She has given up her nap so our days have become busier. But both girls are in bed at 7:30!

Now that the renovation is complete, Tony has regained the full use of his garage (no more fridge or dirty dishes in there) and he is happy again. This fall he took the gas tank out of the Alfa Romeo sitting in the garage. One day it will run! (So he says.) Other than that nursing is still keeping him busy.

I am busy doing all the organizing, chauffeuring, shopping, bus pick up, homework overseeing, etc. The kitchen renovation required endless shopping and choices. I am still working out at the Y and attempting to figure skate. Lately it seems I have spent a lot of time waiting for repairmen who are coming sometime between "eight and five o'clock!" As much as I like skating and Christmas, I did not enjoy brushing snow off the car the other day, in the rush to get the girls to their skating lessons. I look forward to those relaxing summer camping trips - just six more months!

Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year.

Megan, Tony, Paisley and Tamsin