Mike and I decided that it was probably time to tell Jane that there really isn't a Santa Claus. She is defending him to the death at school and I have come up with so many fabulous explainations for little issues of potential doubt that she still believes. I did think however that she might have some doubts. Oh, I was so wrong. I decide to tell her and then ease the pain with telling her she is going to get to help fill her sisters' stockings. So the other night we have some down time and I call her over and tell her I have a secret I think she should know. She says okay. I tell her it isn't a really great secret and that she might be upset that I've told her. She says it's okay and now she is begging me to tell her. So I look her in the eye and say "Jane, there is no Santa." The child bursts out laughing, positively hysterical, leans over hits my leg, totally cracking up. In between giggles she's saying "I can't believe you did that. You are so funny. Oh, so you and dad eat cookies at midnight, yeah right." I tell her again that there really isn't a Santa, she continues to laugh until I say it the third time. At which time she gets the most devasted look on her face that I have ever seen and I have no choice but to reply "Got ya." She laughs again, clearly relieved that her mom just has a demented sense of humor, hugs me, tells me she can't believe I teased her like that, and goes off to finish putting away her laundry. It was so cute I could have just died. So the magic will continue yet another year at our house and maybe she'll just have to figure it out on her own because I can't tell her again.

There is the story, as promised. Everything is going well here. Mike bought us a mac video camera and we have found a program that is mac/pc compatable. After 2 hours, almost stangling each other over the phone line (some of you may be familiar with my incredible lack of computer knowledge), we got everything up and running and the girls spent 45 minutes last night giggling and swapping crazy faces with their daddy. Priceless. I think it will help all of us with our homesickness.

Mike is going to be coming home mid-Feb for three weeks and we can't wait.

Buffy and all other students- Good luck on finals.

Marnie- I am going through major Disneyland withdrawal with no cure in sight. This is the longest I've ever gone since Mike and I got married. Have fun for me.

Tom and Tracey- I'm so excited for you. Are you ever going to tell us this little girl's name?

I love you all. Love. Brooke