Boxing Day

Just a quick post from me to say thank you to all those who left kind and encouraging messages on my previous post. I took a lot of your advice, and had a morning which involved eating breakfast in bed; having a long, lazy bath and pamper session, before heading over to my mum's.

The kids came back to me at the appointed time, and presents were opened at speed. No.2 appears to have a properly horrible lurgi, so wasn't really in the mood, bless him. I'm not sure what he's got, but he has a high temperature, cough and the snotters, so we're giving the Boxing Day party to which we were invited, a miss. Cuddles on the sofa are the order of the day. No.1 is complaining of a blinding head, so I suspect she's coming down with it too.

I'll love and leave you with this thought:

© Author

A Victorian Christmas

Every year a local town holds a Victorian themed festive evening - in early December. Up until now I had only been a visitor, but this year No.2's football club were asking for helpers for the cake stall they were holding at the event. The kids were due to be at their dad's that weekend, so I thought 'why not?' and volunteered. Parents of the boys were asked to make cakes for the stall - I sent along a lemon drizzle cake:

Last year I remembered that we were queueing in the car to get into town for a good half an hour, so this year I was determined to set out early. In the event I was a little too early, but never mind. It enabled me to walk round and get some pictures before doing my 'bit'. No.1 was meeting her friends for the evening, so I gave her a lift too.

Lots of the stallholders were in costume - these guys were only too happy to pose:

A local radio station was broadcasting from the town square - the DJ having officially switched on the lights on the huge tree. There were some reindeer there, and some donkeys:

The lady who was tending the donkeys told me this little lady was quite the drama queen and had appeared on stage at the famous Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

There were some clowns and other entertainers. This guy was on stilts, and when he saw me point the camera, played up to it:

The shops tend to put on beautiful Christmassy displays. The tea rooms, having beautiful 'presents' and ornaments lining the upper shelves surrounding the room:

There is an annual 'window display' competition, and one particular shop always does very well. They won this year with a gorgeous Victorian themed display.

I saw these two chatting and had to laugh - full costume, complete with plaster cast and cigarette!

There were carousel and fairground rides for kids of all ages.

One of the pubs was blowing faux snow from a window, which did add to the atmosphere. There was a Punch & Judy show going on, but No.1 is completely freaked out by puppets, etc. and the authentic Victorian automaton display made her decidedly edgy. We walked past very quickly. Santa was there, with a sackful of gifts for the younger children, and I had to peer quite closely at this life sized model to make sure there wasn't a real person inside.

I didn't have to stand at the stall all evening. The wife of the current coach came and relieved me of my duties after a while. It was nice to see lots of people enjoying themselves, but seeing this lady reminded me that Christmas isn't always a happy time for everyone. She looked so sad.

I wonder what made her feel that way?

For the first time since they were born, the children won't be with me when they wake up on Christmas Day this year. I'm having a bit of a hard time getting my head round it, and feeling rather downhearted. Still, we are better off than many, and I will see them later in the day. I did float the concept of pretending that Boxing Day was Christmas Day and doing the whole thing the next day, but they gave that idea a big thumbs down. We shall do our Christmas morning on Christmas evening instead.

© Author

The Nerf

At the end of October, when it was his birthday, No.2 was given lots of gifts. One of them was a 'Pocket Howler' by Nerf. The general idea is that the Howler is thrown through the air which prompts it to howl (actually it's more of a whistle but let's not split hairs).

This is what a new Nerf Howler looks like:

Nice and pristine, with a rocket-shaped 'front bit' and nice blue 'fins' at the back.

No.2 and his pals have played with it a little bit, but the plain truth is that this toy (to which we refer as 'The Nerf') has been unceremoniously hi-jacked by another family member. This other family member has claimed The Nerf as their own, insisting it stays near them. This other family member gets quite stroppy if No.2 plays with his own toy. Any ideas who might have nicked it?

Well, here's our Nerf:

Note the 'fins':

They look less than healthy, don't they?

Here's another clue for you:

That tail and that Nerf are usually in close proximity to one another.

Don't be fooled by this picture of innocence either:

She's just trying to throw you off the scent.

I got my camera handy when she thought I wasn't watching, and uploaded a little video for you ... now the truth can be unveiled in all its shocking glory:

The little b*gger.

© Author

Trasha Lou's Rainbow Swap - Part II

One of the nice things about doing a bloggy swap is that not only do you get the pleasure of making something, and choosing other sundry bits for the person to whom you are sending. But you also receive a parcel of loveliness for yourself. And thus it was with Mrs Trasha's Rainbow Swap.

A parcel arrived for me on a very grey day. The rain was lashing down, the wind was howling, and my mood was not good. In fact I was a right old misery. Then the postman rang the bell and handed over a parcel. He needed a signature and I puzzled, trying to rack my brains and think what I might have ordered. Then I saw the return address label and had to suppress a little squeal of excitement. My parcel was from Ms Ginger Monkey herself, and if she sends a parcel it is a GOOD parcel.

Having signed the card and bid the postie cheery bye, I scuttled into the kitchen and set about the parcel, unpeeling the brown paper layers until I found a box:

Even the box was cool - a pukka Converse All Star box no less. No.1 is well impressed and wants that box.

Then I found all sorts of goodness inside:

A beautiful card in the brightest colours:

Some rainbow coloured stickers, some totally gorgeous pastels and some lollipops:

There was a box of very pretty candles:

Katy had made a really lovely pincushion:

And also included some pins with heads in colours of the rainbow:

There was a little box containing gorgeous CK threads:

And lastly a soft, bright knitted vision of rainbow loveliness:

Which I have told No.2 is not a hat for our Buddha's head ornament:

And is instead just perfect for my little brown teapot:

Didn't I do well? Thank you so much Katy - x. And thanks again to Mrs Trash for the fabulous swappage - x.

© Author