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In order to prevent the use of clliché (“Has it been a year already?” etc.), we’ll forego the usual intro and cut to the chase: It was a very busy year…again. The house renovations moved along at the pace of a glacier. (Not the crashing, splashing dramatic-type glaciers you might have seen in “An Inconvenient Truth,” but more like the old-fashioned, stationary-for-millenia glaciers.) The job has proven to be far more than expected…more time…more money…more work…you know. (That is, if you’ve ever undertaken a home renovation/construction, you know…and you are probably making that ‘I told you so’ face right now.) When people ask, “When do you think you’ll be done?” We tell them: “Last summer.” The work is rewarding, though, and it will eventually turn out exactly as we have pictured it. Ted (Troy’s brother) has been a huge help. The kids are very impressive little people (if we may say so ourselves.) They are all now attending Margaret Mace School. Here are the ‘stats’: Emmett: 5th grade – in Mrs. Parsons’ class. She was also Troy’s 5th grade (and favorite) teacher. Honor Roll Student-of-the-Month (Nov. 2006) Began playing saxophone in September. Played “Jingle Bells” with the school band in the Holiday Concert Enjoys playing basketball at “The Rec” (our local community center) with his friends Also enjoys listening to his new mp3 player Is really into playing/reading about baseball Has been attempting to emulate Ryan Howard’s swing, if not (eventually) his MVP season Loves watching sports with his Mom-mom (Go Eagles!) Anna Rose: 3rd Grade – Mrs. Clemens (She didn’t teach Troy, but is very nice.) Honor Roll Loves going to gymnastics class. (She is frighteningly flexible.) Loves doing gymnastics at home. Loves doing gymnastics wherever (even on the beach) Has written what seems like a book a week (We’ll be putting them on this site eventually…check back later.) Takes frequent notes on her surroundings (a lá Harriet the Spy) Katie: Kindergarten – Mrs. Golden (She taught Katie last year as a teacher’s aide and thinks Katie is the cat’s pajamas. We agree.) Student-of-the-Month (Nov. 2006) Ed. note: Anna would like to point out that she could very easily have been selected Student-of-the-Month, but there are many exceptional 3rd-graders this year. Mrs. Clemens said it was a ‘toss-up.’ Anna expects to be honored very soon. (She is our favorite 3rd-grader, no matter what. But…we digress. Back to Kathleen’s accolades…) Is reading whole books. By herself. Often. (See comments under Anna about gymnastics…they are in the same class.) Enjoys frequent trips to “the front house” where Mom-Mom and Granddad live. (I hear that Mom-Mom has treats…and lots of love for grandkids, of course.) Kate is sure to miss visiting them so often when we move into our new place (…though she may be in college by then–see above.) Their parents: Maureen… …is still writing for the Wildwood Leader. She has transitioned from a ‘Staff Writer’ to a freelance writer, which allows her to work from home much of the time. She also began writing press releases for the United Way of Cape May County. So, if you’re keeping score, that’s technically two jobs, plus mom and wife. (Did we mention this year was very busy?) As a hobby, she is planning our upcoming trip to Disney which, of course, we can’t afford (again, see home renovation above) But we are doing it anyway. Troy… …is still working at Atlantic City Electric as a System Operator. The home renovation has kept him busy when he is not at work, but he has found time to: work on the web a lot lately (as a hobby.) He recently has been collaborating on a site cataloging the ‘Doo Wop’ (‘Mid-century modern’) style architecture of the Wildwoods. So, that is our annual ‘This was going to be our Christmas Card, but we didn’t get around to it until after the New Year’ Update. Keep checking here for updates. (It is one of our New Years resolutions to keep this site updated…wink wink.) We hope to hear from you all again soon. Peace- The Cawleys