Christmas Day 2019

Well it was tough and go whether the extension would be done in time for Xmas, but I am pleased to say that it was. The skip and scaffolding is still outside and the garden is a mess, but inside looks tidy and we have a lovely new room and porch to use. So for Xmas morning this year we decided to mix things up a bit and put the kids presents in the new "man cave".

It is true what they say about as the kids get older the presents get smaller. Joshua had a tiny pile as his main present was a apple iphone. Brandon's pile was reasonable as he had a new gaming PC for Xmas the same as what Joshua did last year. The logic behind this is that he would need a good PC for homework ect once he starts secondary school next year. By contrast Holly had a massive pile of presents to smash through. She didn't really have a main one as such, but she had a few substantial presents like her smart tracker watch, a Barbie car, a barbie horse and carriage etc.

As the kids all love "Slushies" we bought a Slushie make as our family present this year. We figured it would be really good on those hot summer days. We had already prepared loads of ice so that the kiddies could try it out on Xmas day, so Joshua made a blueberry Slushie for everyone. We hardly saw Brandon all day as he was in his bedroom on his new PC, absolutely loving this roller coaster / theme park type game that he had been itching to get.

Joshua wanted to go out to play with his mates on Xmas day which we thought was a bit wrong as it should be a family day. So we told him no which he wasn't too impressed with. In the end we all had a great day with a lovely Xmas dinner cooked by Tina and a few games etc as they day went on.

Holly setting out Santa;s Guinness, mince pie, milk and carrot on Xmas Eve.

Last minute cuddles with the Elves before they head back to the North Pole until next December.

This year Santa left the presents in our new extension room.

Holly by far had the largest pile of presents.

The table was all laid and looking great for our Xmas dinner.

Tina made these cute little Candy Cane name plaques.

Christmas morning and the kids start cracking in to their presents.

Brandon and Joshua getting stuck in.

Holly with her new watch.

Somehow Brandon ended up with 3 gaming headsets!

I think Holly is happy with her Barbie car.

And a big horse and carriage.

Holly did very well on Xmas day and had plenty of new toys to play with.

Joshua got this new Adidas tracksuit which he has lived in for 3 days. Brandon is always nicking Tina's snuggle fleece so we bought him his own grey one and he has lived in this for 3 days (even sleeping in it!).

Brandon enjoying his new gaming PC. All lit up green and looking good.

Tina laying the Tooth Fairy Game with Holly.

Later in the day the kids found the family present hidden behind the tree.

Its a Slushie make.

Joshua wasting no time to get a Slushie on the go.

Waiting for the Slushie to ice, Holly not looking amused.

Nearly done.

Holly playing with her hair salon toy.

Xmas dinner time.

Selfie at the dinner table as we all tuck in to our festive feast for 2019.

After dinner a bit of Nerf shooting with Brandon's floating ball shooter game.

Laying on our new kitchen floor and taking aim.

Joshua taking aim at the floating balls.

Giant Cracker for 2019

With all the stress and work with getting the house extension completed before Xmas we completely forgot (well actually just didn't have time) to get our giant secret Santa cracker made this year. So it was literally a last minute job to rush together a cracker on Xmas Eve which eventually got finished off on boxing day morning. 

There was no real theme this year and I have to say that this was our worst effort ever for a cracker. Holly used some unicorn tape and stickers to decorate the middle section. Brandon painted some sky scenes and stars with plane stickers on his end, Joshua had no interest and did nothing on his part this year.

Lesson learnt, must be more organised and out in more effort for next year!

At least Holly still enjoys making our giant secret santa cracker.

Brandon's end piece all ready for painting.

Brandon sets to work on his part of the cracker.

Not sure it is quite what he had in mind, but at least he made an effort unlike Josh.

Xmas Ice Skating

I do love taking the kids ice skating at Christmas time. It just seems such a festive, seasonal thing to do and the kiddies love it. We really should go more often but for some reason we tend to only go the once a year.

Tina didn't go on the ice this year as she was worried about her knees. Brandon took to the ice like a fish to water and was just free skating and turning everywhere. Holly absolutely loved it and didn't want to come off the ice. In the end I had to bribe her with a McDonald's lunch to get her to leave, and even after that her first words were "Can we go back ice skating now?".

Joshua wasn't as sure of himself and as confident as Brandon. At first he seemed less interested in being on the ice and sat out a fair amount, but towards the end he started getting in to it more and joined me, Brando and Holly on the ice. Holly and Brandon had many, many, many falls. I went down once and I am not sure how many times Joshua fell over.

The refurbished ice rink at Chelmsford looked amazing and they even had a new feature this year which sprayed snow down on the ice every now and then. Very festive.

Me and Sassy Holly at the Ice Skating Rink.

Brandon and Holly on the ice. At first Holly stayed with the penguin.

Holly eventually did some free skating without the penguin and was very proud of herself.

Holly practicing some ballet and balancing on one leg.

Joshua hates pictures , so it was hard working getting a snap of all three kids.

Another nice picture of Brandon and Holly.

Super confident Brandon.

Holly was managing to get some speed up with the penguin.

All 4 of us, Tina decided not to join us on the ice.

Another action shot of Holly.

Joshua didn't spend as much time on the ice as Brandon and Holly.

Brandon even managing to look behind him without losing his balance. Neither me or Bee could skate backwards though.

Evening Echo School Xmas Play Pictures

Really nice to see photo's of Brandon and Holly's year groups in this weeks Evening Echo which was taken after their school Xmas shows / nativity plays. Holly is in the first picture and is lurking in the middle row on the right hand side wearing a white t-shirt. Brandon is in the second picture, again middle row and about 4 from the left wearing a black Xmas jumper.

Abacus Winter Wonderland Family Picture

This was the official family picture with Santa at the Abacus School Winter Wonderland 2019. Not sure why Holly looks so sad as she was having loads of fun at the event.

Rainbows Xmas Outfit Winner

Holly recently won the best Xmas outfit at her Rainbows Xmas party by wearing her ginger bread dress and was awarded a certificate. She then went on to wear the same outfit at school on Xmas jumper day.

And 1st place for the Xmas outfit goes to....

Holly's Xmas School Show Plus Star of the Day

On Tuesday I had the absolute pleasure of taking a half day holiday from work to go and watch Holly in her Year 1 Xmas School Show. Holly done absolutely amazing and her singing and dancing was amazing. She smiled all the way through her performance and seemed so pleased that me and Tina were in the audience. Holly's class were dressed as Snowmen and got to perform a Snowman song and then a really funny rendition of "Santa Shark Do Do Do, Da, Do, Do, Do".

Also super proud of little Holly as once again she was awarded Star of the Day at school for good behaviour and being attentive.

Holly back left singing Santa Shark.

Holly wearing her school made Snowman hat.

Super proud of Holly getting Star of the Day again.