Hello Everybody,

Christmas is coming around yet again (as it does) and we knew you’d love to hear all about our year. (Even if you wouldn’t it’s tough, because we are sending this to acquaintances, ex-work colleagues, long lost relations, anyone who has ever known us for longer than a day)

Ben has done very well at school (he turned up every day.) He has been concentrating on his music (playing it loudly too late and too often) and we have great hopes that he will do something with it. (turn it down!)

Chloe won a prize for literature (well, for the best limerick in her class.) She has taken up acting and is extremely good. (Especially when pretending she’s ill every time she wants to skip school or get out of helping around the house.)

Timmy has achieved his five lengths at swimming and is very proud of this. (Throwing it into the conversation daily.) As ever, he is devoted to our wonderful (fat) Labrador Fubby and is very responsible in the way he cares for her. (Apart from letting her eat anything she fancies even if it was intended for the family meal.)

We have done home improvements (rearranged the furniture) so things are looking great in time for Christmas. The garden is lovely and a real haven of peace and tranquillity. (Somewhere to get away from the kids even although it’s a jungle.)

The office temp work i am still doing, ensures I am around for the kids after school and in the holidays. (Hugely annoying for Ben.) I am hoping to do an access course and start a degree before long. (Copied and pasted from last five annual round robins.)

Gary and I are still together (just) but don’t think it will be fair on the kids (he doesn’t want to commit) to live together. (Copied and pasted from last three round robins.)

Still we are all very happy (in an argumentative way,) and are looking forward to a lovely family Christmas. (Well at least one that does not involve Fubby or Timmy being sick, the ex-in-laws visiting more than once or one of the presents breaking on Christmas day.)

Wishing you all a very happy Christmas (and hoping your ’round robin’ can’t trump this!)

Debbie, Ben, Chloe, Sam and Fubby.