Opening stockings and Pirates of The Caribbean Lego for Benedict. Tree laid bare in the background.
Our very own decorating the tree Angel.
Stringing the lights.
Finished!
Because I'd made the food the night before we actually sat down and watched Miracle on 42nd Street, at which point Pip declared:
"No Father Christmas, because there aren't any presents under the tree!"
Oops... I know she's a smart cookie, but I hadn't realised just how much she takes in. I quickly remarked that, the present fairy would be visiting after we'd eaten and peace was restored, phew!
Christmas Lunch.
A visit from the present fairy.
K-Nex for our mini engineer.
Wooden furniture and a family of dolls for Pip.
On Boxing Day we visited our families, just over an hour away. We had lunch with my parents and our daughter Kathryn, who lodges with them, since this town is her place of work. Dave's mum was out of action having had foot surgery less than a week before. Dave and I did manage a visit to her and Dad on our own and Sara visited once we were able to take over with the childcare.
Kathryn in the Kitchen.
Pip and Nanna N playing with the Lego.
We've been slowly opening presents throughout the week. I think Pip was definitely outfaced having just had her Birthday two days previous! This is what she woke up to on Wednesday morning... our gift to her, although Benedict loves it too...
... A Daddy made Doll's House, renovated in 2011 and originally made in ...
Our older three, twenty years ago!
It originally took six weeks to design and build in a very cold garage in our first house. The renovation project took two weeks, as some water damage had occurred as a result of storage and some panels needed replacing or sanding.
Opening the doors for the first time, to find...
A family in residence, although...
... she decided the house was also big enough for her to live in too! So for the time being it is now filled with not only the dolls but a variety of book, games and other wooden figures! This gal has definitely inherited my Dad's adventurous spirit!
It has been a mixed week, I think all the last minute preparations of gift buying, wrapping and sorting for Pip's birthday has taken it's toll and I've already resolved to do things very differently next year!!
Our Christmas Eve attendance at Mass was scuppered by Benedict anxious that he was feeling hypo even though his blood readings were OK and Pip singing very loudly at the consecration! So Dave was the last man standing to represent the family, the four of us having sloped off some time before the end. I hadn't fully realised how anxious Benedict has become regarding the diabetes, up until now it is me that has shouldered most of the stress, but since he's growing up, it is inevitable that things will start to hit home. Needless to say his behaviour has been at times very challenging.
The weather too has been pretty awful with endless rain, and despite having friends to play on Wednesday, cabin fever has set in, so I'm hoping a trip to the park before visiting friends for lunch will be the order of the morning.
We have however kept on top of writing our thank yous made easier by the fact that, we have been opening one present each day. There are packages awaiting to be opened in the loft! We've also got back on with our "lesson" as we'd lost time in Advent due to sickness and multiple daily hypo's with Benedict. As always he grumbles when I get the books out, but once we are in a rhythm he settles down and has produced some good work this week.
Christmas Blessings San and all xx
