Christmas is Coming

We seem to have been quite busy in the lead up to Christmas.  Last Tuesday it was the Christingle service at the church.  Usually I'm not that keen on this service as it's so busy, you can't see anything and can't hear anything so it's an hour sat shivering in a freezing church.


This year we managed to get seats nearer the front and off to one side.  Beth and her friend Georgina were playing a couple of tunes on their flutes and we could see them perfectly.  Although they only started learning at the end of September, they did really well and it sounded beautiful.

Of course they were all given Christingles, they look beautiful when the lights go off but I sometimes wonder about the wisdom of giving 120 young, jumpy children lit candles!!!  Anyway, no ones hair got singed so all was well.  Neither of the kids were in the Christmas play this year but Beth did sing in the choir.  I'm not sure why Toby isn't in the choir as he sings at every chance he gets - I suspect it's because Beth is in it and he doesn't want to be 'connected' to her!


On Saturday we went to Beamish to meet Grandma and Grandad along with Auntie Anne and Uncle Dave.  There was a chilly wind but thankfully no rain.  It's years since we were last at Bemish, I think we took Beth on a trip back when we still lived in CA.  I'd forgotten how lovely and interesting it is.


We had a walk around the pit village, the engine rooms and the town.  There were Christmas stalls and attractions and Toby went on the steam carousel - you can just about make him out in this picture.  You could visit Santa but the queue was so long that we decided to give that a miss. I was quite thankful as I suspect he would have been told some entirely different presents for their wish lists!

In other news, Toby is steadily catching up to Beth with loosing his teeth.  He's just lost his second front top tooth - he was quite amused to listen to the Christmas song pertaining to his situation . . . (All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth!).

Finally, here's a picture of our Christmas tree.  I was quite impressed with myself as I went and chose it, put it up and put on the lights (and it hasn't fallen down yet!).  My little helpers decorated it and did a great job.  I think we're just about ready for the big Ho Ho Ho!  I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas. x