Whew what a week!

Okay, first things first, although I haven't seen my mother since her operation yesterday, I did talk to her last night and she sounded tired, but well. She had just taken some pain meds and was waiting for Roger to come with dinner. I will go and see her today, but I am glad that surgery is behind us because she will soon get some mobility back, and with that will come her driving and a modicum of freedom.

Our friends Antoine and Alexa gave birth to a 6lb 15oz baby girl. We don't know the name yet, but soon. Jacques is now a big brother and Antoine and Alexa are on the cloud nine trip that is so thrilling, I envy that a little, but am happy that the birth is over and mom and daughter are doing really well. For those of you who remember Jacques birth, and the traumatic first weeks at ICU down at Children's hospital, you can only imagine the increased wonder at this birth from the parents viewpoint. They didn't have the luxury of being amazed by it all the first time around, so that makes this little girls arrival all the more special.

The first week of school is over and the kids are back in the swing of things. JJ and I are trying to remember to look in backpacks on a daily basis, check homework, have them make lunches, and basically not loosing our cool at having to repeat that same exercise every darn day. I surely don't remember it being this much of a chore for my parents when I was in school, but maybe that is just selective memory. I wonder if my older siblings had this much to do when their kids were in school, like if it's changed just since Chantal, Adrienne, Nicole and Renee were youngsters. I will have to try and remember to ask.

Luke is learning how to ride a two wheel bike. He is doing really very well and has since the first try. He goes forward in a straight line like a pro, but there is a small issue with turning and stopping. He freaks when he has to turn and stops by jumping off the bike. The other evening we were all getting ready to go on a walk. Charlotte in rollerblades, Helene and Luke on bikes and JJ and I on foot. Luke gets started and starts riding down the road. He is headed straight for the neighbors mailbox. JJ and I are looking at eachother, we are waiting for him to turn or jump off, or anything. Then we look at Luke and he runs, face first, into the mailbox. Ofcourse that knocked him off his bike. I was sure that when I arrived to turn him over there would be much blood, maybe a lost tooth or even a broken nose. It was a spectacular smash in the head and fall off the bike. Miraculously, when I picked him up he had nothing but a small scratch on his hand! Another save by a helmut I am sure.

I missed Melissa while she was in town for her aunt's surgery. DeeDee is recovering nicely and Mel is headed back up north today. I really should have called sooner, Mel got in town on Wedensday for goodness sakes, but I was just so busy. At any rate, all is well and this just means that I will have to take a trip up north to visit her...

Last I heard, Nicole was doing better and may even get to teach a little before she produced her own little bundle of joy. I am guessing that Adrienne is progressing well because we have heard nothing to the contrary. We are still getting frustrating news about Cameron and his allergies. If all the doctors are to be believed, that little boy is allergic to everything and there is no food that will not make him sick. It seems unreal to all of us that there is no medical professional who seems to feel the same sense of urgency that we do regarding the situation. The only thing that any of us want is for Cam to be able to eat and feel well and grow. It's just so amazing that no one actually seems to be able to tell Adrienne and Matt what to feed him that will not be bad for him.

Thats all for now folks.