Now that Christmas, New Year, and two family birthday celebrations are over, it's time to settle in to the summer holidays ahead of us: about three more weeks' worth (for the children) and one or two more for Tom. On the agenda for the children are many playdates: they love inviting their…

  Happy new year, everyone. The sun is shining brightly here and the air smells like flowers. I think 2010 is going to be good. Instead of my usual (half-hearted) New Year's Resolutions, I'm going to try to find more peace, more contentment, more kindness towards my family, myself and other people. Wishing you a…