Happy Christmas to all...

 ...and to all a good-night!

Heeeeey Macarena

Careful Harry, unloading the dishwasher whilst grooving can be fatal (for my china)!! You may well be pleased (or horrified) to know the Christmas Macarena is alive and well....in our kitchen. Till knows it well enough that she could probably dance the steps in her sleep.  Like all good little sisters, she taught it to her brother. Let's face it, we should all know the moves for this classic. And what's not to love? 

Of course I joined in...and no I'm not sharing that photo!!!!

Norfolk's Christmas Pageant 2012

A book before bed

"And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow,

stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? 

It came without ribbons. It came without tags.

It came without packages, boxes and bags. 

And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. 

Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. 

What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. 

What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more."

Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas

 

Advent Day 12 -  Listen to Daddy read 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas'.

Ah, the Grinch. I think he has a lesson to offer us all. It's certainly one of our favourite Christmas stories. Do you have a favourite?

A Little Christmas Cheer

Homemade Advent Calendar

After reading this blog post, I felt inspired to make one too. Over the years, I've admired Owlet's advent calendars as well.  The plan was not to buy anything to make this project, I just raided my card making supplies.  I couldn't find anything suitable to attach each envelope, so did end up buying the mini bulldog clips from our newsagency. The numbers I printed from here.

Each day, Harry and Till are taking turns to unwrap the days message. They are clipping the cards back on the string so over the next month we can look over them and remember what we got up to. Most of the cards involve fun family pursuits that don't cost anything. I had to be smart about planning ahead and sat with a calendar in my lap whilst coming up with the list. We have a busy month coming up - I didn't want to double book myself. Now I can't give much away (little folk here read my blog)...but so far the line-up looks like this...

Day 1 - Put up the Christmas Tree
Day 2 - Eat breakfast at dinner time
Day 3 - Make a Christmas snow globe

I'll reveal more later in the month.

Cheers!

Season's Greetings Everyone!

 

Well I don't know about you, but I can barely move.  It's been 48 hours of food, food, glorious food! What a feast we have experienced, complete with roast pork and glazed ham (not to mention vast quantities of pavlova and chocolate). Great food and fabulous company, what more could we want.  And despite the pouring rain, the festivities continue.  Till is downstairs doing some yoga with the help of an instructional DVD.  What a way to finish up Boxing Day. I think I might join her!

Carols and candles

We attended our first Norfolk Carols by Candlelight at Government House tonight, and it was WONDERFUL! It's nights like this which remind us how fortunate we are to be living in such a small tight-knit community. Super special!

The 'antler boys' handed out lollies to everyone!

The gorgeous Miss Abi and Miss Till

Prime position! - Waiting for the band to strike up!

Enjoying ourselves!

Clearly we take our caroling seriously!

NB.  THREE blog posts in one day - is that a record?

Crafty capers

Two blog posts in the one day - I hope you are impressed!

Harry and Till have been in creative spirits these past weeks.  Actually, we all have been.  And HIP HIP HOORAY for holidays - for now I have time to finish off all those half-done projects.  The house is a mess, but don't worry, I have my priorties set right: IT'S CRAFT TIME!

This morning I heard Harry and Till rehearsing for a Christmas concert they have planned for us on Christmas night. It involves lots of singing and musical instruments as far as I can tell - should be a hoot!

My very musical Dad has been playing Christmas carols on our dear old dinosaur piano.  He hasn't played for years and years. We enjoy hearing him tinker away and I love how it has inspired my children to try and play Christmas carols too. Till sits diligently trying to work them out 'by ear' and Harry is challenging himself to sight read the music!

Till's 'Baby Jesus'

After reading about their cousin Dexter's sewing endeavors Harry and Till were super eager to try their hand at some fabric pen and doily tree decorations (note to self: I must collect doilies - a collection of one will not suffice).  Auntie Lou let Dexter use her sewing machine but I was very mean and said "No, not this time"! Sewing circles is a challenge and my two haven't even sewn a straight line on the machine. Besides, I need all the practice I can get.

Fabric markers are the best! I don't know why I haven't thought to use them before.  Once the image is drawn all you need to do is iron for 4 minutes to set the ink - and I was more than happy to allow Harry and Till iron access (never to young for ironing training I say).

Harry's 'Santa' decoration

Ben has been making bag after bag of Peppermint Bark. We don't tend to branch out much when it comes to Christmas cooking.  If we make something successfully one year, we keep to the theme and continue churning it out year after year.  It's super easy to make and always well recieved!

A few photos

This time of the year is crazy isn't it! We haven't stopped for weeks, hence my lack of blogging.  I haven't even had a chance to mention in writing that my dear Mum and Dad are here visiting, which is wonderful. My sister and her crew will be arriving on Christmas Day - how's that for the best present ever! 

Here's a few photos taken over the past fortnight.  We have been part of carol singing performances, school presentation night, a Christmas disco and loads more. And in between jumping in the car to head out for the next event, there has been loads of Christmas crafting happening at home. Some of which is very hush hush....as in "Mum....DON'T come in here"!!!!!!!!!!

Carol singing at Government House

Dancing the night away - Christmas Disco

Hanging out with the Mayo's at the Christmas Parade

Sienna, Abi and Till: proud to have finished their first year at school

Just a smidge of home-made

Nannie and Till baking cookies

I had hoped to make most of our Christmas gifts this year.  I have the same intention almost every year....you'd think I would have caught on by now, that having such a goal each festive season only leads to frustration and disappointment. I never seem to have enough time.  I always leave my run too late!

felt angels waiting to be stitched and stuffed

But somehow, through all the chaos, there is a small amount of crafting and baking going on here.  We have chosen projects that are simple and quick to whip up - but made with oodles of love none-the-less!

Harry and Till are in the process of making fabric wreaths

How many months?

Um, don't worry, we don't have our Christmas tree up just yet...

I'm just a bit excited...

I LOVE CHRISTMAS - A LOT

We are staying on Norfolk for Christmas this year, a tough decision which we made a few months ago. Last year we flew home. I felt sad knowing we wouldn't be with our family, especially as I have not missed a family Christmas in 35 years, but Norfolk is at it's best in January and we wanted to be here to swim and soak up all that beach life has to offer - it's pure heaven here at that time of the year. I'd resigned myself to accepting my family couldn't come to us either, they'd all said it just wasn't possible this time, but tonight my Mum phoned with the best news ever....they ARE flying to us and we WILL be together for Christmas after all! And not just Nannie and Pa, but my sister, her husband and their two little boys too.  Harry and Matilda were near beside themselves with excitement when I told them tonight.  We are all very excited! It's going to be a very special Christmas after all.