Christmas Magic, Parties And A Trumpet – Our Weekly Photos Week 52

Ok, so I’m a day early with this post. The reason behind it is that tomorrow, Christmas Eve, is my oldest, Lucas, 11th birthday. Can you believe it? It doesn’t seem a year ago when I was blogging about him hitting double figures for his 10th birthday. Tomorrow, on the blog will be his 11th birthday post. I thought I’d post my week today.

Last Saturday, I had our annual Christmas night out with work. Robert and I work together so we go to our work night out together. I’ve been there 17 years and he’s been there longer. The kids went to Robert’s parents late in the afternoon and spent some time with their cousins there for a bit. Thankfully, they were staying overnight which meant we could have peace to get ready and enjoy our night without worrying about the kids. It was nice getting ready and doing my hair and makeup. We all met at a restaurant this year and it was a lovely evening, filled with chatting, good food and some cocktails. It wasn’t a late night and work up hangover free. Robert and I went out for breakfast and a few wee bit of Christmas shopping before picking the kids up at lunchtime.

We had our annual Christmas trip to see Santa with my oldest friend and her kids. Her friend and their kids were coming too. We were booked in to see Santa and headed to the garden centre to see him. However, just as we pulled into the car park, Lucas was car sick all over his brother and the car. Unfortunately, the boys and Robert both missed Santa. Aria and I went in and Santa gave us the gifts for the boys and told her to tell them they were on the good list. We met up with my friends and they took us to the restaurant we were having dinner at. The boys and Robert got cleaned up and managed to meet us for dinner, so it ended ok in the end. It was a lovely evening and you can see from Aria’s face she had a magical time with Santa.

This week I have had it off work, which has been great, but, boy, how I’ve packed in the work around the house. The first day, I dropped the kids off at school and came home and gutted their rooms and the toy room. I packaged up a whole bunch of stuff for the dump and charity and food bank. Robert took the next day off so he could help take the stuff to the dump. 4 trips later and a quick nip to the shops to pick up the gluten-free food for Christmas it was time to pick the kids up again from school. Wednesday I spent the day doing all the cleaning jobs I never get around to when working. I cleaned the oven, washing machine and fridge. The place was spotless for all over 5 minutes before the kids invaded. But, it felt good to have gotten rid of all that clutter. I do like to end the year with a clear out and a good clean.

The kids have had their Christmas parties, one each day and had the best time. Aria absolutely loved hers on Wednesday. She declared it the best day ever. How cute is that? Thursday, I had the dishwasher repairman coming out. Little did I know, he’d appear before 8 am to me, still in my pjs. After an hour or so and I have a working dishwasher and a lighter purse. You don’t realise how reliant you are on this luxury until it’s gone. Robert was off work today, so we picked up the last bits of Christmas and birthday prep before heading to the church to see the school performance and Lucas play Good King Wenceslas and Jingle Bells on trumpet. Hats off to him, he wasn’t phased one bit standing up there. It wasn’t perfect, but it was incredible. I was so proud and he plays it well.

Christmas supermarket shop done and Friday saw the kids last day of school. I may not have written and sent all the cards I wanted to or made the ca s, or crafts I wanted, but I am all set and determined to spend some quality time with my family over the next two weeks. How is your Christmas prep going?

Well, this is my last update of the year. I hope you will join me as I go into my 8th year of blogging in January. What have you been up to this week?

You can read about our last week in our weekly photos post.