Can this be the same kid?

A few weeks ago (December 15th) we celebrated two years since Wren's diagnosis with a simple meal of hand-made pasta and deer-sausage tomato sauce. Comfort food. Then we enjoyed a Christmas at home with many happy visits to friends' houses. Wren and Chloë seemed to really enjoy the Christmas traditions, especially the singing. In fact, the momentum has carried over and they are still singing Christmas carols here at the end of January. 

 I built a little rink and luge track at our place and because winter has been so mild we've been outside playing quite a lot. Wren had never skated before this winter and now she is a real terror on ice--at least when she is pushing the little wooden skating aid that I had built for Chloë some years ago.

January 15 arrived, Wren's fourth birthday (thank you for all of the birthday greetings), and it still seems hard to believe--we are so very grateful for everything, especially Wren's good health.

 What Wren wanted most of all was a book of her baby pictures, just like Chloë's, and fortunately we got it together in time for the big day. Wren is an energetic little rascal and an enthusiastic participant is in dance and cross-country skiing. She is full of embraces, and I savour every one.

 All is well up here, though our car recently froze solid when it turned -36°C and we were housebound until it "warmed up" to -20°C and I could get the car going again. It didn't stop us from going for short walks and sliding on the luge track (it's really a crazy-carpet track). Chloë grew wonderfully long frosty eyelashes the other day while we played in the snow. It was -28°C. We kept the fire roaring in the woodstove and it stayed pretty cozy inside while frost crept up the window panes.