My youngest brother, sister-in-law, 5-year-old nephew, and 5-month-old niece stayed at our house for a couple of days in a round of family visiting that’s lasted for almost three weeks for them. My nephew is so cute: he led us in Christmas carol sing-a-longs for two evenings. We all accompanied on my wife’s selection of Orff instruments. And my niece, she’s a darling, starting to smile and vocalize and just adorable. My nephew thinks Canada is a great destination: He got presents at every stop. He’ll surely be disappointed next Christmas when the family spends it in Thailand where my brother teaches.

Though it only be just after 9 p.m. I’m ready for bed: a) because we gave our bedroom and queen-size bed as the room could fit an extra single bed and sleep a family of four with their own bathroom, b) we slept in the double bed in my study but mostly c) because I had to get up an hour and a half earlier than usual to go back to work after two weeks of vacation and holidays.