All in all it's been a lovely calm weekend. I'm very happy to be tucked up in a warm cosy home, and I'm very happy to stay away from all the festive madness too. Alas, tomorrow may be a different story. Other half's glasses broke this afternoon, so we must to the mall. The earliest appointment he could get was at lunchtime. I'm not sure he's fully appreciating what we will be facing there three short days before Christmas. It will not be pretty. I'm dragging the children along as well. The littlest boy left his winter coat at school on Friday, and as it's rather small anyway I'll look for a bigger one for him. And the biggest boy is muttering something about his toes being at the end of his school shoes. Sigh. They do keep growing don't they? Eating and growing, eating and growing.
In other news the middle boy is currently enjoying a book of practical jokes. This means that things are popping out of everywhere at me, and falling down off the tops of doors. It keeps it interesting. Both pairs of roller skates arrived. I was very relieved. I took the littles to see Father Christmas in town yesterday. He asked them what they wanted for Christmas. As they were momentarily struck dumb, I mentioned that the middle boy had asked for roller skates. He said, "No I didn't." Father Christmas had a really good laugh at that one when he saw my face.
Wishing you all a good few days in the festive run-up. Do you have much left to do? Any last minute tips for retaining sanity? I'll be back when I've braved the mall. I may be some time.
It does look like summer. Best of luck in the mall..
ReplyDeleteI have a spare roll of insulation tape (needs must) if it helps with the glasses problem? :)
Funnily enough your insulation tape was the first thing I thought of! CJ xx
DeleteGood Luck with braving the shops CJ. It does look very mild around your way. It's not that cold here at the moment. I'm just glad global warning can't stop the seasons changing with the length of the days.
ReplyDeleteHope middle son is pleased with his skates on the day.
Jacquie x
There has been some lovely spells of sunshine hasn't there and then sunset last night was amazing. I may have said a few times that Spring is on the way!
ReplyDeleteGood luck at the shops tomorrow. I took Matt shopping on Friday and declared that was it - I'm not venturing back in to town until after Christmas! Have fun!! xx
We're having grey and rain.. I would have liked to see some snow.. but that is rare. I guess he's getting skates anyway.. lol. What did he tell FC? Life at your house must be a hoot. I was upset at first when DIL tells us they would be spending the 4 days over xmas with HER family.. but I'm coming around.. 4 days of quiet? OK! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDelete❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉
*M*E*R*R*Y* *C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S*!*
❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉
You definitely had me convinced! Good luck at the mall tomorrow - I have to do the grocery shop and take E to the orthodontist and then we're going to hunker down for the duration. You made me laugh about Santa and the skates - I'm sure he'll love them on the day. Have a very merry one! x
ReplyDeletegood luck with the shops. I fear we need new school shoes and trousers, but they will have to wait..................
ReplyDeleteIt's mad that all those photos were taken within three days! I hope the mall isn't too crazy, it should be safe in the opticians surely? Feeling strangely zen-like about the next few days, even a bad dream about failing to pick up the turkey hasn't ruined it. Best of Luck at the mall xx
ReplyDeleteMaybe the promise of hot chocolate with swirly cream and marshmallows might keep everyone sane tomorrow? Or you could pretend you're on a scavenger hunt and you've only got a short time to get everything you need, you could then throw in some odd challenges to keep the kids on their toes like getting a photo with an elf and collecting ten blue sweets! Hope it all goes well, Antonia x
ReplyDeleteFunny you should mention boys and practical jokes. I just had one played on me by a certain 9-year-old boy in my house. It involved a table being moved further from the chair than normal and a hot cup of tea nearly being spilled over my bare feet. Oh, how he laughed. :( I can't believe the summery views there right now, it's icy cold and windy where I am. I love the balmy look of your photos.
ReplyDeleteOh for a bit of fresh-from-the-ground lettuce! May it solace you after that trip to the mall. (If lettuce doesn't do the trick. then the hot chocolate with swirly cream mentioned above sounds like a good bet.)
ReplyDeleteIt does look awfully balmy there!
No tips at all, I'm afraid. My method is to stay up very late every night, working madly into the wee hours, while planning to catch up on sleep in the New Year. But I don't recommend it. :)
Look at those photos!! Definitely does not resemble winter....we are a bit warmer here too at the present. And I give you huge props for braving the mall!! But like you last minute bits have creeped up on me as well! Merry Christmas friend!! Here is to a wonderful week full of practical jokes and the magic of the season! Hope he likes those skates! Nicole xo
ReplyDeleteYour photos are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYes .....boys grow out of their things so FAST! One day you will try to look back and not be able to imagine that they ever WERE small. LOL
Not much here to do for Christmas. We don't exchange gifts in general ---- we give our son presents, but that's it. It makes Christmas MUCH more low key. No trips to the mall.
Hope tomorrow is not too terrible and that other half can get his glasses fixed.
Hope you survived the shops! We finished that yesterday but I do have to brave the Post Office later...
ReplyDeleteI find that swapping Baileys for milk in your late afternoon coffee is quite soothing 😉. Enjoy the final few days before Christmas and I hope you stay calm and serene!
S xx
Mrs Pig would have flying lessons here. Certainly nothing like summer, Your description of the boys - eat and grow - reminds me of caterpillars .At least they grow their own clothing. I wonder whether ebay will be busy after Christmas,
ReplyDeleteHa ha, Same here Sue, very windy! Makes me want a cute guinea pig like Mrs Pig though :) lovely pics as usual CJ, hope you enjoy your week.
DeleteI could have taken similar photos here, though the wind is blowing things about quite a bit. I try telling myself over and over that it will be all right on the day, but I haven't yet wrapped anything and there's still the grocery shopping list to make and acted upon. At least there will be just us, so they have to take things as they come... I'm hoping they'll be too excited to notice.
ReplyDeleteThankfully Christmas is uncomplicated and low key in this house but unfortunately we still have to do a weekly food shop amidst the crazed crowds stockpiling as if rationing was to be imposed tomorrow! I am keeping my fingers crossed for a calm and speedy trip to the shopping mall. Maybe a flask of mulled wine tucked away in your handbag will take the edge off it. Have a love time with your family. x
ReplyDeleteYour photos do look summery, it hasn't been like that here over the last few days, it's blowing a gale. Hope your shopping experience isn't as bad as you think it's going to be, though I don't hold out much hope for you this close to Christmas.
ReplyDeleteA lovely selection of pictures. They may look like summer but it's been rather too cool and breezy. Good luck with the mall. As for retaining your sanity I would suggest a couple of hours on the plot but I'm sure that's not very practical this week so how about tea, biscuits and a read instead. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteIt has certainly been very mild. Is that Clevedon pier? A lovely little town. I hope the skates are well received on the day and that all goes well x
ReplyDeleteIt does look like summer! It's been so cloudy and misty here. The sun hasn't been out, and I feel it's really affecting my mood. Good luck at the mall. It's the merriest time of the year as long as you don't have to leave your house:) Merry Christmas, CJ!
ReplyDeleteOh, the mall. Luckily I have not been to one in ages. Hope you can get out quick and enjoy a hot toddy at home!
ReplyDeleteOh good luck ok in the shops, I have some baking, cake decorating and wrapping to do, then relax!! xx
ReplyDeleteGood luck CJ, it's madness out there. As to the weather, we took the dog for a walk this evening and left our coats at home! Yes it's windy but the wind is warm. So strange and this is probably why we don't feel as Christmassy in our house this year. I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas xx
ReplyDeleteGood luck with skate gate! I hope that it all works out and that father Christmas delivers the perfect gifts. I can understand the plants being confused with this warm weather, but the ice cream van! I guess if people are buying they keep on selling. I hope that you are now all done with your shopping and so on and can enjoy the next couple of days. Happy Christmas! xx
ReplyDeleteAs usual gorgeous pictures!!! I love coming back here, Merry Christmas !!!
ReplyDeleteYes it does look like summer, everything is so nice and green! It's 19 deg C here today and feels like spring. We will be having a green Christmas, that's ok. Much easier to travel around and the roads are safer. I still half my shopping to do, nothing is wrapped yet bit it all works out in the end. I am sure your boys will be happy with their skates! Merry Christmas !
ReplyDeleteAll sees well and organized at your house, well except for the skates comment to Santa, and the trip to the mall just a few days before Christmas. Little Buddy broke his glasses last night, thank goodness we have another pair. We will get them fixed after the Holiday.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Meredith
I don't envy you the trip to the mall. I found myself in tescos this morning and it was pure hell. Your beach photos are gorgeous but, even though it's sunny, you can tell it's midwinter. It''s the weak, grey quality of the light. Very beautiful indeed. x
ReplyDeleteOh my word...it has been so warm this past week.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Christmas.
Nina x
Sending you and your family festive greeting too! Sarah x
ReplyDelete