It's Here! Merry Christmas Everyone!

How the last few weeks have flown by. Our feet have barely touched the floor. I hope you all have a wonderful, warm, merry, fun, love-filled Christmas and that Santa has brought you something nice from your wish list. I'm going to eat, drink and be merry some more, and will return in the next few days for a full report on the festivities!

Santa was VERY busy at the Wishes house :)

Christmas Countdown - 24

Today's movie is: Polar Express

Today's activity is: Ooooo, lovely traditions. What traditions do you guys have? Are you thinking of starting some new traditions?

- Dinner with Mr Bogert's best friend, the Small People's Godfather, Anthony and his partner, Charlotte.
- Exchanging Christmas Eve presents and cards.
- Hot Chocolate with our Christmas Movie.
- Giving the new tree decorations to the kids for their trees.
- Putting Santa's treats out.
- Hanging the kids stockings in their room.

For dinner Mr Bogert and I had prawn cocktail, followed by rib of beef and then yuletide meringue log. All very yummy. The Small Person opted for turkey starter, turkey dinner and thankfully not turkey dessert, she had a yule mess which she didn't like. I really enjoy going and having dinner with Anthony and Charlotte on Christmas Eve. It makes us have a good meal and get out of the house, it stops us having to cook and wash up when there's plenty to prepare for tomorrow, and we get chance to have a lovely catch up and just an enjoyable time, particularly at a time of year when you rarely get chance to slow down.

One tradition we have in our house, from even before the kids were born, is that you get one present to open on Christmas Eve, the only rule is it must be to use on Christmas Eve.

The Small Person got a new Rudolph all-in-one sleep suit.

The Smaller Person got a PJ, dressing gown and teddy bear set.

I got a new steamer stack. Use Christmas Eve? Technically as I normally prepare the veg the night before. (although this time I haven't!)

Mr Bogert got a Jim Shore Mickey Mouse Tree decoration. We don't normally get new decorations every year like the kids, unless we see one that is particularly special, or if we go somewhere special that sells them (like when we went to Disney World on Honeymoon).

The kids got all cuted up in their new night clothes, Mr Bogert hung Mickey on the tree, and I made Hot Chocolate in our special Christmas mugs with LOTS of whippy cream.

We snuggled up on the sofa and watched the Polar Express. There was a great deal of talk this year from the small person about what it means to believe and how she can hear the bells (on Santa's sleigh). This was perfect because it followed on to the new tree decoration perfectly.

Alexandra's new decoration for her tree for this year is a bell with her name on. She checked she could hear it, then went round checking if the rest of us could hear it before finding a little space for it on her tree.

Zachary has had a nutcracker doll to hang on his tree. If you pull the string his arms and legs go up. Zack thought this was great, expecially as it turned out the nutcracker's sword covered his eyes up when his arms go up, so we played peekaboo with him before hanging him on the tree. Last year for his first ever christmas, the Smaller Person had this rocking horse with bells. So sweet :)

Usually their trees would be in their room. There simply isn't space this year because we're still trying to find a room share balance with toys, furniture and clothes. Instead they are in the conservatory. By the time they are fully grown and ready to move out into homes of their own, they will have a full set of (hopefully) memory filled and meaningful decorations.

The Smaller Person was too tired out to stay up and help sort Santa's treat out, so he was tucked up in bed. Normally the Small Person and Mr Bogert make chocolate crunchies to leave for Santa, but we didn't have a huge amount of time and we figured even Santa likes a change. The Small Person insisted that we leave carrots for the reindeer and a couple of chocolates for the elves. She put out a mince pie and hot chocolate for Santa (even though we pointed out that it wouldn't be hot by the time he stopped in).

Just before Bed Mr Bogert read the Small Person The Night Before Christmas. Not a usual tradition, but perhaps it will become one.

 Last, but very important, the stocking was hung in a place Santa would easily be able to see. Did I get the Smaller Person's stocking finished? Sort of. I didn't have enough time to pad or line it, and I'm not overly happy with the name cuff, because I rushed it. I will unpick the seams to pad and line it like I originally planned, and maybe restitch the cuff unless it grows on me, but AFTER Santa has made good use of it tonight! Pictures in a future post. Then I have an Alice stocking to make for the little girl of the house.

And so to bed, after all, I need to be asleep when the elves come by to check. When Santa gets the all clear from them, he'll drop by and leave us some lovely gifts. We've all been very nice this year :)

Only 1 sleep 'til Christmas! This is it... Santa's coming!

Christmas Countdown - 23

Today's move is: Home Alone 2

We also had Zachary's post op check up at the hospital with the plastic surgeon today. All is looking good and is where it should be. Yay! Releif! We've got to go back in another 6 months for a check-up and then he should be discharged (hopefully never to need their services again). So, good news for Christmas!
Today's activity is: Baby Christmas Meet Up

The Baby Crew

Now that some of our friends have had babies in the last year, and they will all be in the same school year with the Smaller Person, and hitting the same milestones together, we decided it would be nice to have a meet up for them all together.

I asked Zacky to smile, he turned around and...I got this!

We met at our favourite haunt, The Almanack, at the top of Kenilworth town. It's inbetween for all of us and is kid friendly. Oh my gosh was it busy! First we struggled to find parking. then it took us about half hour to get a table, and the table we got was tiny!

Christmas babies :)

2 ladies were sat at the long sofa tables by the window, their drinks empty (and had been for about 20 minutes - I was watching incase the table became free!) and we were trying to squeeze 7 adults, 4 highchairs and a 6year old around a table designed for 4. Simone very politely asked if they'd mind swapping with us explaining why. The one lady looked over at where we were all piled on top of each other and said "no I think I like it here thanks". Now, I understand that it's perfectly within her right to do so, it was their table, they got there first, but it just strikes me as sadly unfriendly and a little selfish. I would have swapped with a larger group in that situation, but there you go. We did manage to absorb another small table into the centre of our group and extend ourselves a little.

The Small Person and Auntie Simone.

Once we were all settled we had lunch, chatted, shared our Christmas plans, cooed over the sweet little people and just enjoyed ourselves. We also exchanged gifts (just for the children).

Mr and Mrs Best, Baby Best and Monty (also answers to Uncle Ted).

 This is what I've been working hard at these stocking for. It should be a law that every child, no, every human being (extended to human like pets) should have a homemade personalised stocking. Really, it should. Stockings are my 'thing'.

Presents!

At our house, everyone who visits on Christmas day has a special stocking hung on the stairs made by me. Most that are hanging there now were made waaaaay back in 2003 and have really seen better days. I've been saying for the past 2 or 3 years that I need to replace them, and the plan is to replace them all with Disney character stockings (either the favourite of the person who's stocking it is, or a character that makes us think of them). I haven't gotten very far with that plan, but who knows, there's always next year!

Ethan, his Mummy and Daddy and his new stocking.

The babies stockings each have a non-Disney Rudolph on. They are made of crushed velvet, felt and embroidery floss, with a ribbon loop and red satin bow and a little jingle bell. Everything apart from the side seams is hand stitched. Had I have had more time they would have been padded and lined. But I didn't. So they're not. I use a blanket stitch to fix each of the felt pieces in place and also along the top an bottom of the stocking cuff, I use chain stitch for the name, and back stitch for any details on the actual characters.

Stocking love.

Each stocking has a vtech noisy vehicle, a pair of xmas slipper socks, some Milky Bar buttons and bars, a First Christmas tree decoration, the they each have an individual present. Ethan has a book and some clippo blocks, Isla has a pink first Christmas teddy bear, and Jake has a bug rattle/teether.

Little Princess.

The mummies and daddies may use the stockings every year, or they may not want to use them at all. I am in a minority of crafters in our friendship group, so I'm never sure how a homemade gift will be recieved. All I know is, I enjoyed making them, I hope they like them, and if they don't, I know that they are good enough friends not to tell me!

Poser.

Mr Bogert is off photographing at the theatre again tonight, so I'm gift wrapping then I'm on a mission to get the Smaller Person's stocking complete in time for Santa's visit!

The youngest of the crew.

Only 2 sleeps 'til Christmas!

Christmas Countdown - 22

Today's movie is: Home Alone. Yes, I know it's been done already, but Mr Bogert and I missed it and the Small Person asked to see it again. So, by the rules of sequels, tomorrow will be part 2.

Today's activity is: Delivering the Neighbour cards.

This may not seem like such a big deal, but as we live in a village where we know quite a few people, it actually becomes a big task, but can be very enjoyable.

It was quite mild today, so I didn't even have to wear a coat, just a thick jumper. We set out and did a large loop of the village dropping cards at each friends house along the way. The Small Person played postwoman and we got to get out and about for a walk.

We also got to see everyone's decorations. We walked all the way to the other end of the village and called in at the hotel/pub/restaurant down there to book our Christmas Eve meal which we have with Uncle Anthony (the Small People's Godfather) and Auntie Charlotte.

On the way back though the village we saw the postman who chatted to us and asked if we wanted to take a parcel with us. Relief for Mr Bogert! He'd only just been saying he was concerned because he still had a couple of packages outstanding!

Next we called at my cousin's house to drop gifts off for the children. They only moved to the village this last year and it was the first time we've seen the inside. They've got it looking absolutely lovely, ready for the new arrival due in February. My Aunt, Uncle and 2 cousins lived in the village the whole time we were growing up, and we all went to school together, but as we got older, my Aunt and Uncle moved to the Isle of Wight, my one cousin got married and moved further into the city, and my other cousin oined the Navy. It is my Navy cousin who has moved back to the village. His girlfriend has links to the village too. Both her grandfather and father live here.

We also visited the children's park to check on some repair work (Mr Bogert is a Parish Councillor) and the Small Person had chance to have a quick play. Then our very last stop was the village pub at the end of our road. We made it the last stop on the way back so that we could get a drink each while we were there. Mr Bogert had mulled wine to be extra festive!

Mr Bogert and the Small Person have also made some more Fudge this evening to give as gifts. I made the finishing touches to the children's stockings and started one for the Smaller Person. Now, the question is, can I possibly get it finished in time?


Only 3 sleeps 'til Christmas! (Only 3!?)

Christmas Countdown - 21

We didn't watch a movie tonight because Mr Bogert had a photoshoot at the theatre and we didn't want to watch it without him.

The Small Person had a friend's birthday party to go to at an indoor play centre just down the road from us: Jam Jam Boomerang. It was 4-6pm. We took the Smaller Person along and paid for him to have a seperate play session. It was sooooo funny! He just didn't stop! He loved every minute of it and he played for the full 2 hours. By the time the party was finished and it was time to come home, his hair was soaked with sweat from the effort he put in running around and climbing! He completely tired himself out!

At home he had a bath and went straight to bed - early. And, do you know what? He went right to sleep. I've told Mr Bogert, we need to build one of those in the back garden if it makes bedtime this easy!

So with Mr Bogert of picture taking and the Smaller Person fast asleep, The Small Person and I watched "Kirstie's Homemade Christmas" (both episodes)  and did our activity.

Our activity was to decorate the Small Person's special tree with all of the decoartions she has been given since she was born. There's some very special and individual ornaments on her tree. Some of the ornamnets were bought in the first couple of years of having the tree to fill it out a little, just like we did with the Smaller Person's tree last year, but there are only 6 truly special ornaments on her tree, and the 7th will join it on Christmas Eve.

We also ate pancakes which deserves a special mention in itself, especially seeing as one of the first things she did this morning was taunt her poor Daddy with the fact!

My genius (if boring) plan for once she had gone to bed was to do some study for EA300, my Children's Literature course I'm am doing with the Open University as part of my degree, and have a look through my new course books that have just arrived for U214 which I start in February. That didn't happen. I made a cu of tea, sorted gifts and wrapped everything apart from the Small People's gifts whilst watching "It's a Wonderful Life". Before I knew, it was gone 11pm and Mr Bogert was home.

I felt guilty and read my U214 course guide in bed. There, I've done something studious!

Nearly here...

Only 4 sleeps 'til Christmas!

Christmas Countdown - 20

Today's movie is: Christmas With the Kranks (selected by Mr Bogert).

Today's activity is: Visit Santa! Woo hoo!

All set for the journey to visit Santa.

It has been a tradition since the Small Person joined us, that we must visit Santa at his grotto at Melbicks the Garden Centre. We have always gone with my Nan, because she commented once that she had never been to see Santa when she was little. So, our visit to Santa is her thing.

The Small Person waiting to see Santa with Nanny (on the left) and Grandma (on the right).

Last year, when the Smaller Person joined our little family, we ran out of room in the car, and Mr Bogert's Mum offerred to come along in her car and bring my Nan. Then after we had arranged everything, my Nan was ill and couldn't come, so last year was Mr Bogert's Mum's turn.

Sitting on bean bags in Santa's living room.

This year, we've all gone the sickies out of the way before the Festive
season (good planning there on our part!) so it was a full house: Me, Mr Bogert, the Small People, my Nan and Mr Bogert's Mum.

Grandma in Santa's chair, the Small People and Santa. The Smaller Person really didn't want to have his picture taken!

Santa's grotto is located out the back of the garden centre, so you have to follow the coloured spots on the floor from the entrance all the way through (past the Chritsmas decs and hot tubs - yes please Santa!) and to the marquee that is set up.

Grandma (my Nan) and Santa.

Inside the marquee there are polar bears, reindeer, fir trees, snowy scenes and all sorts of wintery wonderland things. We even had a snow storm while we waited our turn (snow machine). They just needed someone handing out hot chocolate and it would have been perfect.

Tea and cakes time :)

When your turn comes around, Santa sees a few children at once with their families. He sits in his lovely warm living room, in his arm chair, next to his fireplace and his Christmas tree. There are bean bags on the floor for th cildren to sit on. Santa always asks each child's name and how old they are, what they would like for Christmas and talks to them about if they've been in a nativity or doing anything fun. He asks what the children think their grown ups would like. He talks to the for quite a while, and then at the end he asks us grown ups if we think they've been good, and if he can visit our houses to leave gifts for the children.

Grandma having a rest in the cafe.

This year the Smaller Person sat on his bean bag really well (his first time - he was in my arms last year), and didn't make a peep. He just sat there watching. The Small Person answered all of his questions for him. The Small Person asked for a snow globe. Wen Santa asked if she wanted anything else she said no. I thought that was very restrained! She normally has all sorts of ideas for fantastical things that she really really needs.

Me and my Small Person.

Santa spoke to my Nan aswell, and found out she's a Great Grandma, so he insisted she join in the photo at the end and stood up so she could have his seat. We were about to leave when he called us back so he could have a photo just with Nan. He told her to go home and have a nice big Sherry. Nan being slightly deaf does what she normally does when she hasn't heard what someone has said: smiled politely (but vaguely) and nodded her head. Well, she was 86 this last birthday.

The Smaller Person getting his Santa groove on.

After that Mr Bogert's mum treated us to a cake and hot drink at the cafe. Then it was off to browse the goodies. We bought the Smaller Person's new tree decoration.

We have a tradition we have started with our kids that they each have a tree. Every year, we buy them a new special ornament to go on their tree. When they move out into their own homes when they are grown, they will be able to take the trees and the ornaments with them and remember all the happy Christmasses at home with us. More on that Christmas Eve.


It's getting closer!
Only 5 more sleeps 'til Christmas!

Christmas Countdown - 19

Today's movie is: Jingle All The Way (chosen by moi).

We skipped and activity in favour just relaxing and doing our own thing. We had a VERY busy day of Christmas shopping (I think we're all done - apart from the one shop I forgot all about and will have to pop back to!).

The Small Person played her Leappad Explorer (her birthday present), Mr Bogert was doing Something on his laptop, The Smaller Person ran round and round and round and round..... (you get the picture), and I started 3 new stocking for some very special children who will be celebrating their very first Christmas this year! (Pictures later in the week).

The Smaller Person also spent his very first night in his room with his big Sister. We intended to move him out of our room when he was 6 months old, just like we did with the Small Person, but when they are going into a room with an older sibling, it becomes difficult. For one thing we could never get her to settle down at bed time (still can't - takes hours!) and for another, she is like hurricane Ali. She just has to walk through the room and devastation is left in her wake, sometimes as deep as to your ankles! But, he's finally in there. Not too sure how well it's going to work out because one big stumbling block we already have is, he likes the dark, she's scared of the dark and has a night light. He does not like the night light for sleeping. It is good for playing though it would seem...
Hope you're all starting to feel very festive!

Only 6 sleeps 'til Christmas!

Christmas Countdown - 18

Today's movie is: Scrooged (technically it should be Home Alone 2 following on from Friday night, but as us parental types didn't get to see it, we're going to catch up with it, then play Home Alone 2) selected by the Small Person.

Today's activity is: Christmas Carol Service

This was at our village church at 5pm. The Small Person was an angel with the Sunday School. I just re-used her costume from last year's school Nativity. She was part of the procession around the church and she lit a candle.

Alexandra as an angel getting ready to light a candle.

Mr Bogert's mum came along to join in. We always sit in the box pews to contain the Smaller Person! Mr Bogert is terrible at these things. He sings completely off key because the people around him put him off. He now does it on purpose trying to put me off too and sniggering about it. Not helped by the Smaller person trying to feed Mr Bogert his bottle of milk, following the hymn words with his finger in the book because he saw Daddy do it, or realising if he puts his tiny finger in my ear it makes me wriggle (and him laugh). I was trying so hard not to laugh! I failed miserably! Even Mr Bogert's mum kept looking at the 3 of us and laughing to herself.

Procession around the church and back to the crib.

The carol service is always finished off with Mulled wine and a mince pie. Yummy!

Sunday school by the crib.

If you don't have a carol service to attend, invite a few people round for mulled wine and mince pies, hot chocolate and cakes for the kids, and sing a few songs together, if someone can play an instrument all the better. Perhaps there is a group nearby that goes caroling from door to door, or out somewhere public. If you don't like carols, there's plenty of other Christmas songs. How about Winter Wonderland, White Christmas, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (my favourite!), or Dominic the Donkey? Spread your own festive cheer!

Only 7 sleeps 'til Christmas!