How We Celebrated Christmas Eve Birthday And Christmas – Our Weekly Photos

When I left you with last week’s earlier than normal weekly photos post, it was Saturday and going to be Lucas birthday the next day. And of course, it was Christmas Eve. We woke up super early on Christmas eve, Lucas birthday, he’s my earliest riser out of all the kids, even at 11. Yes, people tell me, wait until he’s a teenager, but I’m still not convinced. He came downstairs to the balloons and banners. The banner that I thought had gone missing and used Amazon Now, amazing, to get a new one delivered late on Saturday evening. All decorated, cards and gifts out. He loved his gifts of Lego and his much sought after trumpet. He’s been playing for three years and using an old one the council gave him, so he couldn’t wait to get his own. We had to know he’d stick to it, before forking out the money, however. He’s good at it and loves it. As you can see he couldn’t wait to play it, still in his pjs. We had a chilled day, he didn’t want to go out anywhere, so his twin cousins came round to play. They all get on so well. Then, the family all descended about 4 pm for the birthday dinner and cake. Robert’s family have this tradition and it’s lovely for each person’s birthday. His grandparents, my mum, his aunt, uncle, cousins, his older cousin and his girlfriend also came. Add us 5 and then my mum’s partner came down for cake. We had pizza hut pizzas, thankfully, they do gluten free too, so it suits all. We had lots of chatter, fun and laughter. Lucas loved his Rangers football team football cake and then we sang happy birthday. There are several other birthday songs to add to the mix. At 8ish everyone leaves and we do the Christmas Eve stuff.

The kids put out birthday cake and a drink for Santa and a carrot for Rudolph. Sad thing, it will be Lucas last year of believing, but I am so grateful we’ve got to where we are. The elves magically brought the new pjs and everyone got ready for bed. A couple of Christmas stories and a few words of Santa won’t come unless you are sleeping. It didn’t go too well, but we managed to work around it. Robert went to pick up the gifts for the kids, which I had taken to my mums. We do not have the storage for them here. I set up the stockings and we were done and ready to head to bed.

I don’t know about you, but I get so excited about Christmas morning. I love it. I am sure I fell asleep, just as the kids woke up. They came in and opened their stockings on our bed. I just love this as it was what I remember doing as a child. We didn’t have a lot of traditions in my childhood, but this was one. I’d pick my dad’s largest fishing sock and put it at the end of my parent’s bed. I’d come through at ridiculous o’clock and open the stocking with my mum. I’d go back to sleep for a bit and then downstairs. Watching the kids open their stockings is just lovely. It’s Tyler’s favourite part as it’s all surprises and not what he’s asked Santa for. He loves all the little things and little figures, so it’s perfect for him. We crept downstairs. Excitement building. I went first to make sure he’d been and put on the Christmas tree lights. But, I mostly do that so I get to see their faces as they enter a living room with their gifts. We all opened our gifts. Said our thank yous and headed upstairs to get ready.

Why? You may well ask, but we head to Robert’s parent’s house to meet up with his sister, the cousins, etc. We are there the back of 9. It’s their tradition and we all do it. Even Robert’s nephew who is 23 now and his girlfriend was there this time. We all exchange gifts and the kids are all truly spoiled again, as are we to be honest. Robert’s dad makes a fry up breakfast or a roll and square sausage and potato scone for me. We laugh, chat, open some gifts, eat some chocolate and head home around lunchtime. The car filled with gifts. We play with our toys and I try to find homes for some. Enjoying some downtime before dinner. Dinner is always cooked by Robert’s mum and at their house. My mum and her partner come over late afternoon and we exchange gifts and hugs. Then, they too come over to Robert’s parents, along with his aunt and cousin to have Christmas dinner. Their dinner too late served around 7ish. It’s huge, lovely and filled with love. Crackers are pulled, jokes are told and food it is eaten. We retired to the living room and chat and play away until the very late hour. We head home around midnight and bed. A long lie hopefully in the morning.

Boxing day and subsequent days have been very chilled. It’s delightful. We have been putting toys away, building, playing and lots of board games. Eating, laughing and generally being together. We have made flubber, slime, so many board games as you can see and it’s been perfect. I love these days and the fact we have no work and nowhere to do it’s been the best. We’ve made bouncy balls, built Lego, built Aria’s bike, played with Lucas’ awesome football gift he got and played more games together. I have done chores but at my leisure. It’s been the best. I could get used to this. I really could. I am loving the slow, chilled life a little too much. Lucas has been allowed to play with his friend on the Xbox more than normal, due to the fact he is usually so busy the rest of the year with school and then football, that he rarely gets much time to go on. It’s in the living room, so he’s limited to when we aren’t watching something. It’s even been interesting to hear him interacting with his peers. Things have changed, he’s changed and it’s been nice to see. Lots of Christmas films have been watched and Aria is still singing every Christmas song she knows at the top of her voice. This I might miss the most.  Going back to work and school is going to be a shock to the system. I wish this next week could last forever and I plan to cherish it.

To top off our week, we had snow yesterday. Lots of lovely white, soft, sparkling snow. We went out and had some fun. Even a teeny snowman, Aria wanted to put in the freezer. Tyler was with his friend so it was just the oldest and youngest. Snowball fights and making snow angels made us smile and when we were burning with the cold, we came in to warm up. It’s been…. lovely.

Tomorrow, Sunday is Hogmanay and Robert’s brother in law’s birthday. What will you be going to Hogmanay or New Year’s Eve as non-Scottish people call it? We also have Robert’s 40th birthday next week, so the celebrations will continue. What have you been up to this week?

Happy New Year to you all and I wish you all the very best in 2018. Lots of love x