This weekend Grace has two formal parties to go to.  Formal as in gowns and suits, manicures and haircuts.  When kids here of a certain social strata turn 18 they throw a huge shindig.  It's sort of a wealthy Italian's quinceanera.  She has a dinner Thursday night for one friend at a rowing club on the river and a full out formal bash on Friday on the opposite bank.  She's ordered a dress, bought heels and is going with friends for nails and such after school.  All this comes right at the end of "mock exams" the midterm terror of the IB program.  The 12th graders have been chewing their nails to the quick for the past two weeks.  I, on the other hand, am suffering from the winter doldrums and just want to sleep.  This time of year is utterly exhausting with the holidays over and spring so far away!  Thank God we have a break in February and we'll get up to the mountains for some snowshoeing.  If I had more willpower I'd get out and walk evenings when I get home but who am I kidding.  My sofa calls!  xxoo me