Father Christmas made a special visit on Christmas Day, courtesy of our friend’s father.

So we’re off back to Seattle tomorrow. 

We have had a magical Christmas.  There’s nothing like being in the country for only a limited amount of time to make all your friends eager to meet up, so we’ve been having the most incredibly social time and meeting up with different people morning and evening, for lunch and dinner. I’m twice the size I was when I arrived, utterly exhausted and my liver is screaming for mercy.

The Minx has had the most fabulous time.  It’s amazing to see how much she remembers – she has been thrilled to see all her little friends and her favourite animals, playgrounds and parks.  Every day has brought a new treat, and it’s been gorgeous to see her literally dancing and clapping her hands with excitement. 

Which is all making me feel like the world’s worst mother taking her back to Seattle. We haven’t made that many friends there yet – certainly none to rival the group of babies that the Minx has known since very soon after she was born – and life is rather more sedate and much more mummy-centric than it is here.

I think we’re going to have to come back very soon.

I’m absolutely dreading tomorrow’s ten hour flight and the subsequent jetlag – though for me the journey will finally mark the end of the old year and the beginning of a new one. 

We’ve had a pretty tough time for a variety of reasons over the past few years, but 2007 is currently seeming pregnant with potential.  I can’t wait to see what the next few months bring.