2011 in Review

This year has felt like a long one, likely because it was the first year that we weren't completely new to Boston.  Some memories of the year:

• We had lots of snow.  LOTS. OF. SNOW.  Even on April 1.  
• First big milestones: little AC aged out of playgroup and her early intervention home visits when she turned 3.
• My mom came to visit for A WHOLE MONTH.  We had lots of fun and the weather was great to her: she experienced chilly rain, hot days, humid thunder-and-lightning rainstorms, and even a tornado watch.  (That last one was REALLY scary for all of us.)
• Little AC started nursery school in June.  
• Also in June, I met a woman from New Orleans whose little boy had just started playgroup--my mom and I met her in the parent's lounge while observing our kids' transition into this new scenario.  We now have almost-weekly playdates, because we get along so well and our kids play together wonderfully.
• We got to see several friends from/at home, which very much brightened our spirits: Ms. M in June, in Quincy because a conference brought her here; my former colleague/good friend from my days on The Farm (he's a Mass native); and almost all of my closest friends when we went home--made even more special by the fact that one of them waited till we were in town to announce to the others (and us, of course) that she's expecting!
• Little AC started swim lessons in July and August, and I got to do weekly yoga for a while.
• I re-entered the workforce in a most unlikely fashion!  Who knew it would be ideal yet top-secret? (More on that in another post.)
• And finally, a memory from today: I found out that in order for us to get the first-time homebuyer's tax credit, we had to promise not to move for 2 years--I thought it had to be 5, but that's how long we simply have to own it!  YAY!!  That means if we could, we could rent it out and move back home next summer!

I enter the new year with hope.  Hope and gratitude.  My friend from New Orleans said to me as we left her apartment after a FIVE-HOUR playdate yesterday: "I told my friends that you are the best thing that's happened to me since we moved here."  WOW.  Time to bloom where I've been planted, if only till the next repotting.

Pax, friends.  May the new year bring all of you health and happiness.