Happy Christmas

Happy Christmas everyone! Hope you're having a good one. Yesterday we went to see grandma and grandpa along with auntie Jane. For a while we weren't sure if we'd make it down to see them as it snowed quite a bit on Wednesday night. Thankfully once we got out of our road, it was fine. We had a fab day that consisted of food, presents, food, drink and more food (just as it should be)!

For a bit of exercise we went to the park with the sledge. There wasn't a huge amount of snow but there was enough snow and crispy stuff to keep it running. Toby wasn't too bothered; I think he liked the idea more than the actual act. Beth on the other hand loved it and just wanted to go "faster, faster". Both Steve and Jane between them took both kids down the big hill in the village - I lost my bottle a bit and had visions of hitting a bush and being catapulted across the park . . .

Christmas lunch was lurvly! Despite vowing not to over indulge, I overindulged (but not too much)! We got to open some presents from auntie Jane; a little early but hey, we thought she'd like to see how much we liked them and since we wouldn't be seeing her today it was a favour! In all a great day.

Today amazingly Beth didn't wake up till 6:30 and Toby 7am so it was quite a civilized morning. Beth wasn't fussed what was inside her presents, she just wanted to open, open, open. Toby was the opposite and wanted to see exactly what everyone got and how it worked. They got some pretty good presents (and there are still a few hanging round to be opened after naptime).

We had a lovely walk before lunch, especially since there was nobody else about. Lunch must have been the quickest ever for Christmas Day since we had leftovers from yesterday followed by lots of chocolate. :) Steve was very impressed with his presents from the kids - new masterpieces to replace the ones done last year.Hope you all had as good a Christmas as us - we're not quite done as it's being extended while we go to gran and grandads!

Santa!

Just another quick post so it doesn't get lost in the upcoming Christmas postings. Santa visited the Children's Centre yesterday so I thought it was a good opportunity to go and meet him. Beth and I talked about it beforehand and she decided what she would say, including what she would ask for as well as finding out what Santa would like to eat (cake v. mince pie). She did not want to sit on his lap but thought she would stand by his side. I mentioned to Toby that we would be meeting Santa but he didn't seem too interested. :)

Thankfully we only had to wait for one other family before going into the grotto and you could see Santa through the window so Beth and Toby could see what awaited them. Well, poor Santa got well and truly shunned. Neither would go anywhere near him and Beth wouldn't even look at him. Toby wasn't too sure what to think but was perfectly clear in the fact that he did not want to be too close to anyone but Steve and I. Even so they both were quite happy to accept their gifts from Santa (though Beth was a bit put out that it wasn't just what she wanted!!).

Tomorrow we're off to grandma and grandpa's for Christmas Eve and our Christmas dinner, yum. We'll be back home for Christmas Day with lots of pressies, chocolate and leftovers then on Boxing Day we're off to see gran and grandad to see if Santa visited them. Have to say that Beth isn't nearly as excited as I thought she'd be, think I'm more excited. I suppose it's a good thing as she might sleep tomorrow night and isn't bouncing off the walls. Even more surprising, all presents under the tree are still intact! I'm not sure if this indicates that my kids are totally oblivious and haven't noticed them or if they are just so well behaved they do as they're asked or if they are too scared of the consequences (I'd like to think the middle option . . . )!

Snow

Just a quick one so I can post some snowy winter pictures! We haven't had huge amounts - just enough to make things awkward but not enough to do much with! We did however go and see gran and grandad yesterday and they had quite a bit more. Unfortunately it was too powdery to build a snowman but we still had fun (for about 10 minutes before there were tears!).

It's also pretty cold around -2°C/28°F but at one point on our journey it got to -14°C/7°F! I don't think I can ever remember it getting that chilly.

Anyway, I hope everyone has a very Happy Christmas. :)

The Woods and Christmas is Coming!

We seem to have had loads of things going on (hence the lack of blogs) but I can't actually think what they were. Anyway, I'll try now to put a few bits on showing what we've been up to.

A couple of weeks ago we went with Carl and Tim to the woods for a run and play. We haven't seen Carl since September as he goes to a different nursery and goes in the afternoon so there is no time to meet up. It was great to get together, this was the first time that Toby wasn't in the pushchair and he loved being one of the gang.

It was pretty muddy not that they were bothered. We found some 'houses' which they all helped to improve. I think it must be a boy thing with sticks as Toby searched for the one that looked like it could do most damage (how do they know???) and both Carl and Tim were dragging logs around!

Of course we stopped for a picnic of sorts though it was a little chilly to stay still for too long. Poor Meadow (Carl's little sister) was bundled up so well I'm surprised she could stay on her feet - she reminded me of Maggie Simpson when they dress her up for the snow. It was a lovely morning but I was glad to get back in the warmth. Quick pic of Toby, couldn't resist as it makes me laugh!

We put our Christmas tree and decorations up the first weekend of December and it definitely added a festive feel. Steve has also managed to work out how to trick the Internet into thinking we're still in the US so we can listen to KOST 103.2 and their month of non-stop holiday tunes. :) The only problem with all this is I forget that it isn't Christmas but I'm eating and drinking thinking it is, not good!

At the weekend we went down to grandma and grandpa's to 'help' them decorate their tree and cake. I thought Beth and Toby did a great job between them on the tree, much better than last year though I believe that grandma may have made a few adjustments after we left . . . Before I forget, in that picture Beth is holding 'Bethlehem Jesus' (please don't ask . . . ). Beth also helped to decorate the Christmas cake along with some Christmas buns. While there I also got a bit crafty made a holiday wreath for the door. For a first attempt I didn't think it was too bad. Think it's a bit like pumpkin carving - you always think of other ideas once you're finished and want to do another.

Fun Holiday Time

We are just back from a very fun and relaxing few days at Centerparcs down in Elveden Forest, Suffolk with grandma and grandpa. We didn't take very many photos since we spent the majority of our time in the swimming pool (sorry, the tropical swimming paradise!). Toby took to the water staight away and just walked down the steps into the water and floated on his way. Beth was a little more hesitant but once she got a feel for things she would have happily stayed in there all day.

The villa was very nice with the best feature (for Beth anyway) was a huge chalkboard where she spent ages getting us to draw around her then she added the features. There was lots of wildlife about and the squirrels and ducks were very friendly. A couple of muntjak deer kept appearing in the early morning and a heron came to see what goodies the ducks were being fed. We didn't do many adventure walks this year but they did enjoy taking their torches outside for night walks.

Despite the rest of the country having horrid weather and being a few feet under water, we were extremely lucky and didn't see a spot of rain the whole time we were there. It was a little windy a couple of days but it didn't stop us doing anything. Steve and I, courtesy of grandma and grandpa, got to spend some time alone. We played a round of golf (my first in about five years) which was very relaxing since we expected to play hideously and only played awfully! We also went for two night swims (the pool was open until 10pm), very nice since it was a lot quieter than in the day, there were less children and we also didn't have to queue for the chutes and slides. :)

When walking about, Beth seemed very interested in people playing mini tennis. We thought we'd book a court and let her have a go. She loved the idea but the reality was slightly different . . . She was not impressed to find she wasn't an automatic professional and after two minutes just wanted to sit on the side. However, grandma stepped in and quickly got her hitting the ball and happily 'playing'. Toby did not have the same expectations and as such was very happy, racket in hand, chasing the ball all over. Not quite sure what the other players on the courts thought of our game, personally I suspect they were jealous of our lack of rules and wanted to join in the fun!!

It was a fantastic week - we're trying to decide whether to book for next year - we would perhaps go sooner but I doubt grandma and grandpa will have quite recovered! ;)

A Binky-Free Boy!

We are happy to report that for the last few weeks Toby has been binky free. We noticed that his teeth were starting to suffer (along with the fact that soon he'll be two and it's rather obscene to see older kids wandering about with one) so it was confiscated. He was surprisingly calm about it. He asked for it a few times but seems to accept that 'D' has gone for good. This is a pic of his lovely smile . . . binky free. :)

Beth has started going to dance classes (ballet and tap) and seems to enjoy it though she wants all the gear. After the first class she said she liked it but didn't want to go again. When I questioned her a bit more it seems she didn't want to be left out and wanted the outfit, the pretty pink ballet shoes and the cool red tap shoes. So far we've got the outfit but are still working on the shoes. I see this getting expensive, especially at the rate she grows (anyone want to sponsor a future dance star???)!

Next week we're off for a few days holiday to Centerparcs - we went this time last year and thought we'd try it again since both kids were sick. Hopefully the weather will be lovely for us . . .

Happy Halloween

I did a couple of carved pumpkins this year, two from mum and dad's garden and one that I was given at bootcamp after having used it in place of a medicine ball! That's the one in the photo - I opted for a pretty rather than scary design to grace our door this year.

We don't normally go trick or treating but Beth got her first taste of it this year with grandma and grandpa. She dressed up as a fairy witch (I didn't ask . . .) and spent a happy evening gathering treats (from pre-approved candidates). That was until she encountered a man (an unapproved daddy) with a 'dead arm'. From what we can gather, she wasn't scared of it but just didn't like it. Anyway, she is still talking about it today. Perhaps I need to find something that shocks her more than that so she stops talking about it, though it would have to be shocking enough to stop her talking at all or else there would be no point!

While Beth was doing that, I was at the Halloween hen party of a school friend, Katie. It was very relaxed and good fun. I went as a witch/wizard type in semi homemade garb (thanks mum and sorry, no pics) and Katie was a ghoulish bride. Poor girl, she knew it was her party but didn't know about the dressing up, etc. I'm sure she was looking forward to a glamorous night out on the tiles! :)