And so to Boxing Day

So we all met up at Mum and Dad C's gradually. The Wylies, then the Circuits Jnr. The evening dinner was prepared, then lunch was prepared and eaten. Jessica and Ella had a great time playing around, Fifi was a big hit. Madeline kept practicing her "walking" and playing with all the toys she shouldn't have some more! Then finally they dropped - Hurrah! Three exhausted little girls had a little kip whilst parents lazed around a little, Christmas food is soporific, even on Boxing Day it seems! When the girls woke up we had a little visit from Pauline and Denis, but they rushed off before the pandemonium of more presents set in! A wise move!

Then last but by no means least, the Thurlby's arrived. Then it all kicked off as they were allowed to open their Christmas Stockings in a mad frenzy. Some ooohhhhs and aaahhhhhs were available and then a massive play time commenced before dinner. The kids ate separately and were bathed and went to bed giving us the opportunity for a more... adult(?) meal. Some challenging conversation - mainly about speed cameras (y * a * w * n *) and then a quick game of trivial persuit. (No Strops from Liz though - sorry J and G - they've made the questions MUCH easier!) and then we retired only to wake up the next morning to SNOW! The children were very excited and after a speedy breakfast they hastily donned what warm appropriate clothing they had and ventured into the beyond.

After thawing out, we packed up and went home. I think that just about sums up the festivities, so far, of course! Oh but please note Jessica's attire for the second day running! A big Christmas hit methinks!

Anyway, a great time was had by all and so to the hum drum for a couple of days before a visit chez Gaskell for cocktails and New Year. We wait with baited breath for the photos!...

Let the chaos commence! 

Interlopers! 

While you were sleeping 

Rejuvenating cuppa 

Arty or what? 

Ooooohhhhhh! A jelly Santa!

Next!

A toy for who...?

Biggest fairy
- Quote "It's ever so comfortable. You don't know you've got it on!"

Best fairy? 

Hmmmm 

The test crew...

made it look far too enticing

Even Maddy came too!

Andrew built a snowman

Snowman (to scale)

Checking out the goods

Can't... get... it... off! 

Story time - like bees to a honey pot!

(Tut!) I'll read it myself then!

What you got?

It's Christmas (Take two - just lost the first lot - grrrrrr!)

Well, it didn't start early which was good, and we managed to behave as if it were a normal day for the first hour or so,... but then the present-fest began!

We opened up some presents with Pete, Courtney and Melissa, just to get them in the Christmas spirit for their trans-Atlantic flight throughout Christmas day. Nice. And then made a sharp turn-around for East Claydon church to attend the "family" service all about our "jaded" society. Aarrgghh!

As we drove back we saw Sam walking along the road, so lots of excitement when we got in saying hello to him, closely followed by Nan's arrival. So naturally the best thing to do was open yet more presents (like they hadn't been spoiled enough already - the girls I mean!). Unfortunately in this "batch" we came across an unsupervised purchase from Grandad, Daddy, Uncle Pete and Uncle Sam to each of the girls.

***** WARNING - TRULY HIDEOUS PHOTOS TO FOLLOW! *****

I digress... Jessica also opened one of her best presents of the day seemingly. A Snow White dressing up costume which was put on instantly (hence very few photos of her posh Christmas outfit carefully selcted by Mummy) and wore ALL DAY - but she does look beautiful in it! Anyway, we then had a posh brunch with bucks fizz and more presents, that's right, we still hadn't finished! The girls had a nice play with all the booty and Madeline decided to take her first few tottering steps! She doesn't take her feet far off the floor, it's more of a shuffle really but she's getting there. By New Year we'll have it licked I reckon!

Anyway. After this fairly major event and some heavy playing by Jessica, they both had a little sleep. In which time adults had enough time to compose their strength for the next present slot! Nope we're still not done! So the girls woke up. We had a few more presents (when I say we, by this point I only really mean the girls, they had about five to our every one!!!!!!!!) and then a delicious Christmas Dinner (many, many thanks to the chef and her assistant!) which Madeline seemed to think wasn't enough and hastily tucked into a pack of playing cards from a cracker! We then cleared up, had a few more presents and a play with toys. At 8pm, Nick wearily took the girls up for a bath and then two exhausted girls went to sleep fairly rapidly. We then played "Now that's what I call a music quiz" - thank goodness for Abba eh Nan (she was lost most of the way through - apart from this moment of clarity!) - and wearily retired to bed ourselves.

A truly wonderful but exhausting day with fantastically thoughtful gifts from people we care a lot about. Slightly overshadowed by a Madeline first but a huge thank you to all contributors, it hasn't made us ungrateful! Let the thank you card writing commence!

P.S. I'm sure Nick has his tuppence ha'penny worth to add but you'll have to wait until he tears himself away from Star wars 3 and an open tin of chocolates first. Don't hold your breath!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Horsey, horsey, don't you stop,...

Just let your feet go clippety-clop,...

The tail goes swish and the wheels go round,
Giddy up we're homeward bound!

Who likes it more?!!