Friday 20 December 2013

Sweet

I'm breathing a big happy sigh here.  School's out.  There's almost nothing on the calendar for the next two weeks.  Just us, and whatever we feel like doing.  Or not doing.  I do have a few plans, things to make, places to go.  But only if we want to.  No stress.  No hurrying.  Pyjamas on for as long as we want.

Last night it was the school carol service, which is my absolute favourite thing in the run-up to Christmas.


I get goosebumps every time the lone chorister sings Once in Royal David's City at the start.  And when the chamber choir sang Balulalow.  And oh, when the reception class, who were dressed in nativity costumes, sang the first verse of Silent Night.  And when the littlest boy had some lines to say (he didn't need a costume) and did it all beautifully.  Favourite thing.


At home I'm getting used to having a tree in the room.  And thinking that I prefer the less glitzy decorations.


But shiny can be good too.


I finished the hedgehog sleeping bag.  And tried it for size.


Hedgehog said it felt fine.  Father Christmas sent a note with him.


The biggest boy was given a Quality Street at school today as part of the general last day party-ness.  He searched the whole tin for an orange one, and got the teacher to check that it was dark chocolate.  And then he saved it all day.  And brought it home and gave it to me because he knows that these are the ones that I like the best.  Oh my.


I am loving Christmas so much right now.  Hope you have a really good weekend and that someone gives you your favourite chocolate.  Or failing that, give it to yourself.

30 comments:

  1. Nice to meet you! How sweet was that that your son got just the thing for his mom. That is love... pure and simple. I like your tree and decs. What a cute hedgehog blanket! Bravo!!

    ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉
    *M*E*R*R*Y* *C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S*!*
    ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉

    ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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    1. Thanks for visiting Teresa and for your kind words. I hope you have a merry Christmas too.

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  2. Two weeks of relaxing sounds pretty good to me. Enjoy.
    And I love the hedgehog sleeping bag. Make one for me please so I can hibernate too..

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    1. It does look cosy in there, I'm thinking hedgehogs have got the right idea.

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  3. Thanks for mentioning the lone chorister singing Once in Royal David's City! It's so typical of Christmas and it's in my head now, love that.
    Your boys are great, and when they choose and keep your favourite chocolate for you, it cannot get any better than that! Enjoy the Christmas break, I hope you have a good one!

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    1. Thanks Sandra, I hope you have a lovely Christmas too.

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  4. I do so love your shots! And your night at the school carol service sounds so magical!!! Those moments are what make Christmas so special!!! And Mr. Hedgehog looks so happy and warm with his new sleeping bag! A very Merry Christmas to you!!! How glorious that you were thought of and given a special chocolate! Nothing sweeter!!! Nic

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    1. It was the nicest chocolate ever, such a surprise. Not something that happens every day!

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  5. He is the sweetest boy to bring that chocolate all the way home to you! Sounds like you have a wonderful two weeks ahead of you. I love not having any definite plans and being able to stay in my pjs all day:) Hope you have a lovely weekend!

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    1. Thanks Kari, I hope your weekend is a good one too.

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  6. Beautiful. Love the little hedgehog in his sleeping bag and am sure your boy will too! How lovely that your son saved his sweet for you - I remember always saving the blackcurrant fruit gums for my mother but they would have been sticky and covered with fluff by the time she got them I dare say!

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    1. Oh how sweet, I bet she absolutely loved them anyway, fluff and all.

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  7. oh, he saved you his chocolate. what a lovely boy x and that hedgehog blanket. oh my. enjoy your two weeks, my daughter finished school on Thursday, she spent all day yesterday in pj's! Happiness x

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    1. Yes, pjs here we come! It's bliss not to have to chivvy people along to get dressed and go out. Bliss.

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  8. Ahhh, bless your son for saving that chocolate all day for you, and it wasn't squashed either. The carol service sounds beautiful and I love the hedgehog all wrapped up in his beautiful sleeping bag and the special note from Father Christmas. All such wonderful things.

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    1. Thanks Jo, it has been a good couple of days.

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  9. Love the glimpse of you, in the gold decoration, taking the shot of the Christmas bauble. Bet you enjoyed that chocolate.

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    1. Thanks Sue, I did indeed. He wanted to watch me eat it!

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  10. A lovely post and terrific photos. Enjoy the next two weeks. Well done to the biggest boy for thinking of you like that. Flighty xx

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    1. Thanks Flighty, he's in my good books now.

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  11. I love the Xmas note from Santa. It is the right time for a break from school (and from work). And yes, we treated ourselves with some nice sweets and biscuits... Merry Xmas.

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    1. Glad you're having a little treat, and a merry Christmas to you too.

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  12. That photo of the Christmas ball ornament is really cool! I'm so glad the choral performance went well. When I was in college, we did a "festival of lessons and carols" every year in the choir, and always sang "Once in Royal David's City," which was one of my favorites. I also loved "Lo, How a Rose E're Blooming." Your son is so sweet to give his mom the candy. That melts my heart. I almost bought Quality Street this year; I see it in the international grocery store where they import special holiday goods in huge amounts at Christmas, but they wanted $15 for the tin. I don't know what it costs there but it seemed a lot for candy. Maybe I'll splurge next year though because I really want to try some!

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    1. The festival of lessons and carols sounds wonderful. I like to listen to the service of nine lessons and carols which is on the radio here on Christmas Eve. It feels like the beginning of Christmas. $15 is definitely too much to pay for Quality Street. They're very sweet, and not particularly high end, although they are hugely popular over here for some reason. (They cost about $8-$10 for 1.25kg). Something darker and artisan-made would be much nicer. Look out for Booja Booja or Duffy's Chocolate - delicious.

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  13. Oh, what a post. The quality street story - total cuteness. You're raising good kids and they love you a lot! And yes - the first line of Once in Royal David's City - that's probably one of my Christmas highlights. I recently bought a Carols at Kings cd and have been playing it non-stop in the car. x

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    1. Thanks Gillian, it was a moment to remember. The cd sounds lovely, I'd definitely be playing it too, I'm always humming carols at this time of year.

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  14. what a sweet sweet boy you have there!

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  15. Enjoy your time together whilst it lasts. What a lovely thing for your eldest to do :)

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  16. Wishing you all a very merry Christmas, bringing the sweet home for you was so lovely!
    Sarah x

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