Francis family Jan 2012 update

Hello cousins. Thank you Judy for keeping us entertained with your blogs,and for galvanising us into making more contact - in this surprisingly easy 21st century way! - we really look forward to hearing everyone's news.

In Lewes: Alex is working hard for a new boss. Trudi Styler still runs the company he works for - Xingu Films, now re-branded to Maven - but has handed over the day-to-day running to a tough New Yorker, who is going to be a hard taskmaster, but hopefully will get lots done, so Alex is guardedly optimistic about how that will work out! He's not got any films in production at the moment, so is pushing hard to get 1 or 2 through the starting gates in the next few months. I am looking for work - not especially hard - so I need to step it up! I've had several offers, but I'm looking for that elusive part time job, locally, that pays a reasonable amount and isn't mind-bogglingly dull - not a small ask during a recession!

The kids are doing well at school. Miranda (5) started school in September. She got a headmaster's award yesterday for 'kindness' which was gratifying - although frankly a surprise to her parents! However, M and I have had a tummy virus for the past month (recovering now) and neither she nor I have been on our best behaviour, so I shouldn't criticise!!  Miranda's reading is going brilliantly and she is already up to stage 3 on the reading scheme, so it won't be too long until she can read by herself.  Amelia (8) is doing well on guitar which she started in Sept, and she's continuing with ballet and swimming (with Miranda), and is starting to gain confidence on the football pitch. She plays football with boys (there's usually only 1 other girl) so it's quite hard, because they don't always pass to her - so I think she's being pretty brave. Alex is determined to get her interested in football so he can have someone to kick around with in the field behind the house.  Amelia's got a steady circle of 6 friends with whom she has play dates, and the play dates are starting to spread onto the weekends too, so she is becoming more and more independent.  I am starting to get her to do more things by herself - making phone calls, going to the corner shop. Miranda's getting the hang of socialising, but is happy in her own company and is not yet very good at sharing, so we need to work on that a little.  The girls are very good friends - Amelia's patience and calm are very reassuring to little Miranda, who is more sensitive and flighty - although invariably entertaining! They both love imaginative play and playing with Sylvanians and Playmobil. The house has tiny items permanently strewn all over the floor as a result!!  I could make a New Year's resolution, but I won't.

The pussy cats Audrey and Brodie (inherited from Sarah A's friend Ali, formerly of Brixton) are still with us but the sisters are showing their age at 13. Brodie is at the vet's today for a check up after having a seizure last night. Fingers crossed she will recover well (Audrey had a similar thing 2 years ago and is OK).

That was an exhaustive update - hopefully not too exhausting! It will be great to see how everyone else is doing... Lots of love Adams family,
Francis family xxx