2017 Wrap Up!

Good Morning everyone,

Hasn't this year rolled around fast.   We've certainly achieved a lot so here's a quick recap of 2017!

Biggest news is of course we joined the ranks of homeowners - hoorah!  Jessica really is trying to settle down, having dragged me through multiple addresses since I've been here we finally have some roots to settle down with.  We're lucky to have found a house in such good condition (under sink pipework notwithstanding) and it's fortunate that apart from that, only a couple of light bulbs and toilet seats have been the sum total of replacement works so far.  Still, I have to echo my thoughts from 2013 (last move) - NEVER AGAIN!  I'm sure the process was fairly uncomplicated but it's a reminder that house moves add unpleasant stress.

Ryan is having a much better 2nd grade than 1st grade, the all day slog of school is no longer a struggle, and while we still face some issues over the implications of doing/not doing homework, he's slowly catching up to the level of reading/comprehension expected of him.  He's been massively helped by the extra tuition as well as continuing to see Kristen who's tweaked her work to keep him progressing.  Ryan also played more baseball in the Spring, but took time off in the fall, we'll see what he's going to do in the coming year, he may want a slight change of direction sporting wise.

Hannah, what can we say about her?  Stubborn, determined, happy, helpful & loving are some of the traits she loves to demonstrate, apart from an odd decision to stay in diapers rather than join her friends in using the potty, her progress is right on target.  She loves to boss Daddy around, running up fingers pointing and nostrils flaring to exclaim "No Daddy!" when I'm simply breathing, I think that's most likely Jessica's influence but she's not afraid to lay down the law there either.

Hannah is also becoming somewhat technologically wise, which can be a concern or a blessing depending on how nuts she's driven us in the intervening few minutes. The good news is she's a very good sleeper in her new room and after a little play time always settles down with minimal concern.  Ryan has had a few bad moments in his new room, but is happy enough to read a DogMan book to get himself drowsy.

Jessica got promoted - finally!  Officially as of tomorrow she's going to get paid for that responsibility she's taken.  She continues to be Ryan's guide for homework, even though he's adamant he's better at math than she is (he might have a case but I'm not going to be the one to say it!)  She also continues to tolerate me, the crazy bitch!  To be fair, the level of crazy in our family is a lot less than some of our friends (if you think this might be you, chances are it is!) and Jessica manages to be a solid sounding board for many people, often to the detriment of her own free time, I hope it's appreciated and recognized for the great deed it is.

As for me, plenty of work, appreciated I'm glad to say which leads me to actually enjoy the workload each & every day, even the frustrations don't matter that much as I've accepted it tends to come with the territory.  Even managed to spend some of my time improving my skills at Elite Dangerous on the Xbox which is everything I hope the game would be for the 20 years we waited for it to arrive.  

We still have 3 cats, Jet decided to push that envelope this year, but it's not the first NYE we've got to & said "Might be her last one....." so we'll see.  Thug cat managed to lose a tooth this week, perhaps in a PoofWar, or maybe not.  He seems fine enough, though was understandably skittish on the day it occurred.  Speaking of Poofy... he now has a big sticker across his ass saying "Wide Load" because he, more than any of them, has enjoyed the wet cat food sporadically used as medicine filter for Jet.  He's so fat I think his butt is in another zip code, and when he jumps down off the perch the earth (or at least the table) shakes.  However he's still a friendly enough cat that he's begun to tolerate Hannah touching him and that based on how he used to be pre-Nugget is still an amazing transformation.

Christmas was a success though by the 27th Ryan was bored of the tree and the lights. So here's to a very healthy & successful 2018!

Have a very good one!

Till next year!

J, J, R & H