Isobel started grade one at her new school, and in French Immersion, and loves it!  I think I was more worried about it than she was.  Bella has already been to 3 parties, and her "best friends" seem to change weekly.  We enjoy the walk to and from school (especially Violet who loves to look at all the kids, dogs and squirrels along the route), and we spend some time at the fantastic school playground every day after school.  She has also started taking ballet at the Conservatory here, and couldn't be happier, well, unless it was salsa!  These days it all seems to be about being alone, and in her (new) room by herself, which is a nice change!  

Violet is turning into a little menace, getting into everything, and reveling in making messes.  She is always in the cupboard, helping herself to Cheerios or whatever else she can find to spread all over the house, and her favourite thing is to pull out the entire roll of toilet paper.   She is delightful, and it is so wonderful watching her running around and playing with toys, but wow, does she ever get into trouble, and she knows it.

For Hallowe'en this year Violet went as a headless penguin (she would not leave the hat portion on) and Isobel was a beautiful mermaid in a costume made by our friend Rebecca for her daughter Emily last year.  We had a great time at "Fright Night" the big Hallowe'en fundraiser at Bella's school, and although I had to work, the girls and Iain had fun on Hallowe'en trick-or-treating and handing our playdough and glow bracelets.  

And now we start to prepare for Christmas, with Bella and I collaborating on various projects, and Violet trying to prevent us from getting anything done...