Why, hello!

Hello, there. Why, yes, I am updating my blog, thanks for asking. I know. It's been a while. Although I haven't taken any pictures lately. You'll just have to read. Sorry, bad bloggress. What's new, you ask? Well. I didn't have a plan when I started writing this, so you'll just have to bear with me as I try to put my scattered thoughts in order. Hang on. Just a sec. 1, 2, 5, 3, 7... no that's not right....

1. Choir. I had my first concert on Monday. It was fun. And short. Only 20 minutes, which made it perfect to bring the girls to. (Grammar police, please take note: That was a split infinity, or a dangling principle, or something, and I don't care.) I couldn't see very much from the stage but I knew they were there because I heard Elora SHRIEK at the top of her lungs. It was a happy shriek. I think. It made everyone giggle, even the conductor. If anyone is in North Bay on January 17, we're having another concert. I don't think I'll invite the girls, since it will be slightly longer and just at bedtime. We'd get the unhappy shrieks for sure.

2. Busyness. December is filling up, wow. This weekend we have Nipissing's staff Xmas party, the Children's Bazaar, Anya's birthday party, and I have a Guiding Xmas dinner, plus Nanny is coming tomorrow and staying for the weekend. The next weekend we have Hayden/Anya's birthday Pony Party, the Nipissing U. Kids' Xmas party (where Santa arrives by helicopter-- way cool!) plus we have to find time to get our Xmas tree in there somewhere. We're planning on Christmas Eve at my dad's, having Christmas morning at our house, and going to Toronto after Christmas. I think I've missed some stuff, but that's our December in a nutshell. Perhaps a pistachio. Mmmm. Pistachios.

5. Snow. We have lots of it. And more is coming down as we speak. Elora calls snow "bubbles." We built a toboggan run in the back yard. A short one, but it's about shoulder height. My shoulders, I mean. Anya loves it. Dhara and Elora, not so much. They cried to go back in the house. Anya cried when we went inside. Sigh. Can't win. Adding to the various blogs about snowmen, we built a tiny one back when it first snowed, but he's gotten mushed and blended into the sea of snow by now. Again with the no pictures, I'm afraid. When I'm by myself with three kids, I find I don't often have time or the hands for a camera.

3. Christmas shopping is SO nearly done! I only have two more things to get. Love it.

7. I took Dhara and Elora to their Infant Development appointment this past week. They both are mostly within normal ranges for everything, but they scored low on communication. Of course, the appointment was just at nap time, and they both were extremely shy, so I'm sure that didn't help. I have been a little... not concerned exactly, but... aware, that Dhara has not been talking a lot. She's improving, but it seems like she just likes to let Elora do all the talking. I booked an assessment for her with One Kids' Place, which will give me a better idea of where she stands. I also booked Elora, just in case, because of the long waiting lists. My *telephone* appointment, where they call to ask me questions, is in February. Who knows when I'll actually get to SEE someone in person.

1,009. I'm tired. I think I'll go to bed early tonight. Oh wait, I have to clean. Nuts.