It's December, we are in the final cycle!

We have had a good couple of weeks, full of performances. The school pantomine of Cinders was wonderful. Watching the enjoyment on the kids' faces was magical. Everyone in Years 3 to 6 had a role, no matter how big or small, they all felt equally as important. Isabella sang her heart out in the chorus with the other street urchins and she played that triangle and with gusto and in time! Matilde's pilgrim lunch was also a great success. Turns out Matilde loves pumpkin pie this year. This week the school concert featured the school choirs and some of the upper school kids rocking the night away on electric guitars and drums. Much enjoyment all round, particularly by the baldy on my left. And then yesterday Matilde was part of the Key Stage 1 holiday production about ballooning around the world. Much to Matilde's delight she was a Scottish dancer.

It is funny how we have two very different daughters. Isabella is the English looking one, but she is more fluent in Italian and enjoys all things Italian. Matilde, the darker one, is interested in all things British and is totally fascinated by Scotland at the moment. On Saturday morning, it was freezing (quite literally) and snow/rain were coming down thick and fast as we stood on the streets of Alexandria and watched the Scottish Christmas Parade. I have never seen so many kilts and bagpipes in one space. Matilde loved it. Saturday turned into a rather British day. In the afternoon I took the family to their first ever pantomine (aside from the production of Cinders a week earlier, about which I had been told "mummy, it is the story of Cinderella but it is different and funny!"). Matilde was called onto the stage and Mother Goose sang her a tune. "Oh yes she did!" Gregorio was screaming as loud as any of the kids "he's behind you"

Well here we are again at the hospital for the final cycle. Only drama so far is the lack of tech in the oncology pharmacy to make up the chemotherapy. As I write this I am already imagining a complicated afternoon logistically. Well gives me something to think about as we sit and wait.

Meanwhile Tommy the Elf arrived in our house yesterday evening. Elf sits on the shelf around the house and watches if you are good or bad and reports back to Santa. He flies away to Santa each night and you find him in a different location every morning. Totally magic. When I took him out of the box, Isabella says "Mati, be careful, don't touch him or you will break the magic!" This morning we are all running around to get ready and there is an almighty scream from Isabella in the sunroom, "so it is magic, because he is now in a different place." I sincerely hope that the magic lasts as long as possible. Matilde definitely believes but she is not taking any chances with Santa missing her requests, she has written about five letters to Santir (sic) so far. She is hoping to receive two dolls, so she wrote doll twice on the list and macup and pirfyoom (sound it out you'll get it!)
Isabella has more specifc requests. She's hoping for a Dior lipstick and a Mexican cookbook! We'll have more to report on the magic of Santa Claus next week....

3 rounds to go, December 17, 24 and 31. The MRI is scheduled for January 27th, 2010 and we will be talking to surgeons this month to schedule a date to take that pesky port out after the MRI. 2010 here we come!

Lots of love,
Emma & Gregorio xxx