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
A belated happy birthday to Lucas. Looks like you had a great family Christmas – there’s no better way to spend the day than with those you love. Normally we see in New Year with friends but this year we’ll be spending the afternoon/evening with our neighbours – there are two other families in our close with similarly aged kids, then we’re planning to do a first barbecue of the year for lunch on New Year’s Day.
Thank you Tim. We had a lovely Christmas and birthday. It really is the best. That sounds nice. Enjoy and good luck with the bbq. Happy New Year x
Happy Hogmanay and birthday, certainly a busy festive family period for you and lovely to have the time of work.
Thank you lovely. Happy New Year x
We were up in Scotland for Christmas so experienced snow on Boxing Day, much to the delight of the kids. You certainly had a busy time of it Susan. Birthday and Christmas clebrations back to back! Hope you enjoy hogmanay tonight. And tomorrow!
Oh how fab, it is lovely isn’t it. Thank you and Happy New Year x
I love the sound of your Christmas Day and the way you manage to fit in seeing so much family. The week after Christmas is lovely for relaxing, isn’t it? I’m not looking forward to getting back to reality, but sadly it’s in two days for my husband and I and three days for the kids 🙁 Happy new year! x
We do and it just gets busier. It has been such a great week. Happy New Year lovely x
Looks like you had a wonderful Christmas and birthday celebrations, I am very jealous of your snow
It was lovely. The snow was a lot of fun. Happy New Year lovely xx
It looks like you’ve had the most amazing Christmas week.
Thank you for linking up during 2017 and have a Happy New Year.
Thank you. We have had a lovely Christmas. Happy New Year to you x
Wonderful birthday and week!
Thank you x
Sounds like you’ve had a fabulous week. Lots of fun family time. We’ve done much the same and it’s been lovely. And you had snow! What a great way to end the year 🙂 Wishing you a very Happy New Year Susan, and good things for 2018 x
Happy new year lovely x
What a fab week! It sounds like its all go in your house. Wishing you a happy new year.
Happy new year x
What a wonderful week you had! Gorgeous photos! The kids look so happy! Such a fab end to the year. Wishing you all the best for 2018 xx
Thank you. Happy new year x
Sounds like you had a lovely Christmas and birthday for Lucas #365
It was lovely d
Sounds like you had a wonderful christmas time and birthdays. Wow, how nice for Lucas to get his own trumpet. Happy new year
It has been lovely. Thank you & happy new year x
your traditions sound so lovely, you all get to see everybody, it sounds exhausting but fun.
We were allowed to open one present from our stocking and the rest were done on our parents beds as well.
I am sure he will get many a year from his new trumpet, and it is a lot of money had it been a passing fad. Happy belated birthday to Lucas. I think this will be Bob’s last year as well, really cannot have them going to secondary school still believing.
Shame you cannot make you leisurely week last a year
No you can’t have them going to high school can you, such a shame. It’s been lovely & he had a great birthday x
sounds like you had a great few days with a birthday and christmas, love the stockings on the bed, something we did with our kids and usually took place around 4-5am with us going back to sleep for a while afterwards while they watched tv (argued) and played with the stocking contents downstairs. Happy New Year to you all
We did have a lovely time. Aww that’s lovely memories. Happy new year x
Hi Susan. I can’t imagine how crazy and exhausting it must be to have a child with a birthday on Christmas Eve. It sounds as if you have it weighed off though. We have been doing a lot of nothing which has been wonderful for a change and the next week will be the same.
Wishing you all a happy and healthyy 2018!
xx
Sounds like a good time lovely. Happy new year to you all x
Over the last couple of years we’ve had more and more friends and family having babies close to Christmas. We were at parties on the 20th and the 23rd! Looks like he had a fab time and I know that for you it must be exhausting x
All sounds so brilliant, what lovely family traditions you have x #ordinarymoments
Thank you lovely x
A belated Happy Birthday and a great set of photos. I’m still jealous of your snow, but there’s time yet! Have an excellent 2018 xx
Thank you lovely. You too xx
It sounds like you had just the best Christmas and birthday celebrations. And snow too! What a perfect time! x
We did it was the best xx
Great photos! Christmas is truly the most special time of the year.:)
It was a lovely time xx
Sounds like you had such a lovely Christmas and that Lucas had a lovely birthday too. I love how happy he looks with his trumpet and what a lovely tradition you have spending time with family on Christmas Day. Happy New Year to you all x
Thank you lovely. Happy New Year to you all x
What a happy time, the joy shouts out from the photographs and your children are gorgeous. All the best for 2018 my lovely. xx
Thank you lovely xx
What a magical time of year for your family with so many happy celebrations.
Thank you, it was lovely x
What a great Christmas its all about stockings in bed with the kids for me too. I think I may get more excited than them! #ordinarymoments
It was so exciting wasn’t it? x