The last week or so has been manic. It started with a visit to visit Grandparents set 1. We made the decision that the children would be able to open presents whilst they were there to allow our families to share in some of the joy. We also had tickets to see a version of 'The Night before Christmas' which was magically. We got to see Santa again and the children were fixated on the actual show loving every single second. The next day and masses of presents later along with a fantastic early Christmas dinner left us with 2 very tired small people but 2 small people who were spoilt rotten. Both children quickly decided on their favourite gift - oldest a sword from his favourite cartoon and smallest a camera just like her brother's on which she has taken hundreds of pictures.
We came home the day before Christmas Eve and made that a quiet, calm down day as well as a chance to get plenty done including making jam tarts, cookies, meringues, a monster fish pie and preparing as much as possible for Christmas Eve and round 2 of grandparents. Both smalls helped where they could which was lovely and I am looking forward to years to come where they can do much more to enjoy the preparations.
Round 2 was slightly shorter in duration but still included many presents all of which the children fell to playing with straight away - we got to play farmyard bingo and do plenty of drawing plus oldest was over the moon to unwrap a Bob the Builder work bench on which he has fixed just about everything he owns.
Amazingly, after all the excitement the new pyjamas and slippers before bed time were gratefully received and they went to bed really well. I had been expecting much more fuss. We also presented them with hot water bottles in fluffy covers to warm their beds. At this point Andrew and I snuck about the house laying out presents under the tree, finishing the preparations for food ad as much as possible to try and make sure that we had plenty of time to just play. I have to confess that in all the fuss I forgot one vital thing - to leave Santa a drink and mince pie out along with some carrots. I must remember next year!
Christmas Morning dawned and I am pretty sure oldest was awake some time around 6am but he stayed in bed until smallest got up around 7.20 - much later than anticipated! From there the fun started and the joy in their faces when they realised that 'he had been' was fabulous. Opending everything seemed to take forever - our families and friend have been so generous, many in the style that my husband can take credit for as we know have many more musical instruments. The chaos when we finally sat down to breakfast was amazing.
The rest of the morning, after finding and donning clothes, was spent in play - colouring books, jigsaws (Spiderman being the most complicated that we achieved), cars, dressing up, mopping the floor, fixing things, stories and all sorts, too many to remember! We sat down to a full Christmas dinner and enjoyed every mouthful as a family. The afternoon was more TV focused - both were getting tired and on the grumpy side and surprisingly not 4 hours after dinner they were ready for tea!
Looking back over today it has been crazy, we never made it out of the house for the walk and fresh air we planned but it doesn't matter, the children have gone to bed happy, contented and I am about ready to have a rummage in the kitchen for my own supper. Right now I am once again amazed by how my life has changed in 12 months time, this Christmas has been worlds apart from last year and with visiting to do tomorrow it is not over yet.
Wishing all the happiest of Christmas times and peaceful and prosperous New Year. May 2014 bring you all the blessings you wish for.
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