Belated happy new year to all of you. We spent our New Years at home. We learned on Christmas Eve this year that keeping the kids up late doesn't
quite work yet (particularly on the following day). On Christmas Eve Paul and Barb (my brother and sister-in-law) came over and we had a nice visit
with them. Then Christmas was spent at their place along with my parents. Over the holidays I took the kids to the museum in town and swimming a
couple of times. We also went ice skating with the Munshaws at the community rink by their house. All told, we've had a pretty mild winter so far.
Our family is getting plugged into the church we've been going to since last June, and boy does that feel good. Ewa has been teaching a toddler class
once a month (and I help sometimes). We become part of a small group with a great group of people, and I'm auditioning for one of the bands this
coming Saturday. Big sigh here. Kornelia and Erik are comfortable in church as well now, and it sure is nice when Ewa and I can sit together upstairs
for a whole service!
I guess I didn't mention this is the last update, but we bought a van early last fall. We had dreamed about getting that van (Honda Odessey) for years.
It was used - we can't justify buying a new vehicle. But still, we were all very excited about it. One of the big reasons for getting the van was
Ewa's parents are coming over for 3 months in May. It also makes travelling on vacations much more like a vacation. We actually have a vehile that is
less than 15 years old now!
I'm getting published! Well, sort of. Readers Digest is publishing a little story that I wrote for the 'As Kids See It' section in their magazine (the
Canadian Edition). That was pretty exciting. Kornelia is pretty excited about seeing a story she told me (while I was drying her hair) get into print.
We actually got paid for it! For you Canadians, check out the February 2006 Readers Digest, page 144.
Work is going well for me. Our corporate year end was Oct. 31, and I can't believe how much tax we saved by getting into consulting. It helps to have
a good accountant. Along with the full time contract I have until June, I've managed to squeeze in a couple of teaching stints at the technical college
I moonlight at, as well as do some website design. Check out our new company site www.netfocusconsulting.com.
Kornelia continues to enjoy school. Her teacher is currently reading them 'The Magicians Nephew' and I took her to see 'The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe'
over the holidays. We walked out of the theater, and she turned to me and asked 'Daddy, was that really real?'. She really enjoys crafts, dancing, singing,
and swimming right now. She's also starting to read longer books by herself and enjoy it.
Erik drums. And sings, and plays the guitar. And breakdances (like Daniel Cook for you Canadians). He is a very energetic, outgoing 3 and a half year old.
Ewa gets frustrated because she can never find her mixing spoons. Erik always takes them somewhere to drum. He really likes singing too, and can really
pick up songs quick. He picked up a polish nursery rhyme I was singing to him in three nights flat.
Well, I think I'm going to go and see who is winning this election we're having tonite - maybe there'll be a new prime minister in Canada!
Again, feel free to email us and say hi at mckenziefam@shaw.ca.
