December Catch-Up

We've been busy and so there's a fair bit to catch up with.

The month started with a parent and teacher evening at T's school. T had to make appointments with the subject teachers we wanted to meet and find out how he has got on this first term. We decided on Tech because he has really struggled with this (fine motor skills always an issue) along with Maths, English and Spanish. Really good feedback from each teacher with pointers for improvement and help and praise for work well done. I had to leave early to take S to her swimming lesson but whilst waiting for another teacher G got to meet T's History and RE teacher too.

Of course the start of December also means the advent calendars begin. The children have been using the ones from Grandma and this year my calendar is another purchase from Phoenix.

Behind each door is a plate of food. Loving this.

Saturday 3rd we went down to our local shops for a couple of hours to see what was happening in this year's Christmas festival. The weather was very touch and go for this outdoor event. We bumped into a couple of friends and caught up on news, watched the ukulele band and I bought a Christmas pudding tea cosy from a stall raising money for the Royal British Legion. Must take a photo.

On Sunday we put up our tree. Disappointingly our trusty set of tree lights have given up and we are still light less something I must try and sort out today.

S did a fantastic job, lots of concentration as each ornament was hung.


Lots of silliness too.




The morning of Monday 5th was lost to the orthodonist. Another 6 month wait and see if T's teeth will be ready for braces.

Tuesday 6th was a very exciting day. S was singing with her school choir at the Guildhall, along with other schools from across the City. They were being taken by coach to the venue in the morning for a dress rehearsal which she was very excited about. Then when she realised they would be back in time for lunch and that there was pizza on the menu I thought she was going to burst. She looked so happy!

Of course she looked splendid in her uniform stood in the front row singing her heart out and from where we were sat in the second row we had a wonderful view. And of course I cried. So very proud of her.

Whilst out doing a major grocery shop on Thursday I spied the Christmas edition of the Radio Times and suddenly felt awash with that festive feeling. The only thing I have looked up so far are the details on Dr Who and Downton Abbey, essential viewing in our house.


Friday evening I went for a meal with all the people from the charity shop. We were thanked by the area manager, pulled crackers, drank the free wine provided by the landlord and exchanged secret santa gifts.

A couple of months back we arranged to meet G's mum and sister in London for a trip to the Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park.

Our route there took a little detour as we needed to go to Charing Cross first to snap a couple of photos for T's history project. I now know an awful lot more than I used to (which wasn't difficult really!) about Edward I.

Everywhere we looked as we made our way to Trafalgar Square there were people dressed up in Santa suits as that morning a charity Santa dash had taken place. It was bizarre but all very festive!




We meet Grandma and D for a late lunch and then wandered through the park to the Winter Wonderland entrance and walked straight in which we were surprised about as earlier there had been really long queues.

We had a lovely time wandering round and if I'm honest arriving slightly earlier and seeing more would have been even better, but we did enjoy ourselves.

G looked fabulous in this hat which he didn't purchase


S's eyes were on stalks at the huge bags of candy floss


T couldn't decide on which hat he preferred, this being one of many he tried on



before plumping for this as his final choice. And what is he taking a photo of,


why a singing moose/reindeer? head of course!



To round off our weekend and well and truly throw ourselves into the Christmas spirit we had a party at our house on Sunday afternoon. Between 3 and 5 our little house was full of family and friends. I'm still not sure how we al got in! I had sent out invites a couple of weeks ago and told everyone to expect quizzes, games and a sing song.

I had set up 3 quizzes in our lounge. Using faces cut out of magazines there was name the famous face. Another where Merry Christmas in various languages had to be matched up with the country they are spoken in and finally there was name the Christmas carol/ song title from just the first letter of each word.


I was hoping for a dry day so we could do a few games outside but it poured down with rain so we did our best indoors. I had lots planned and only a few were played which is the best way round, better to have too much than not enough. There was 'can you get an After 8 from your forehead to your mouth without using your hands', 'pass the balloon race', 'pass a chocolate button along your team by using a straw' and the 'coming or going' game where half a dozen objects are being passed along your team at the same time, some in front and some behind. This was very hectic made even more amusing by the objects being used such a a peeled banana and wet soap. Lots of cheating and lots of laughter!

I asked everyone who came if they would mind posing for a photo, either wearing one of our Christmas hats our using one of the photo booth objects I had printed out after finding such a brilliant selection through Pinterest. Luckily everyone agreed and here's just a sample.








Just as everyone was leaving two more friends arrived. He had been working and so we knew they were going to be late. We were chatting for a while when S mentioned we hadn't played the popcorn game. This involved tipping popcorn onto the floor and picking up as much as you can in 1 minute using cocktail sticks in chop stick fashion. So we all played. T's friend then suggested a popcorn fight.

This is just some of it. I found more in S's hair Monday morning and yesterday more in the basket with the hats and scarves. I have a feeling I may discover more yet. And I wouldn't want it any other way.