Christmas!

My day started at the usual time of 5am. Jimmy woke at about 5:30 and so did his big sister. Jimmy and T found their stockings on the tree and got their little gifts out- an Iggle Piggle finger puppet for Jimmy and a bag of marbles for T.

Daddy woke around 6:15 and then it was present time. Jimmy was not in a very good mood. He was very excited about his first present (a big bag of 2nd hand plastic sea creatures) but he was annoyed that we kept trying to make him open more gifts. I think we gave him far too many little presents and it was a bit overwhelming for him. Next time we will give him one or two gifts instead.

We all did very well. T was happy with her presents. She got 2 books, a snowflake charm for her 'Pandora' bracelet, a really cool quilt cover set with Japanese dolls on it, 2 tops, a DIY craft box, a DS game, a Lego truck, a Hallmark Christmas ornament, and a Smiggle pencil case.



Elizabeth got a cute handmade hat, a handmade knitted doll, a mummy made quilt, 2 tops, a dress, 2 nappies (one mummy made), a toy (from big sis) and some books to share with Jimmy.



Jimmy got the sea creatures, a Kidorable frog umbrella, a tiny Duplo set with 4 pieces in it, a Duplo paint with water book, 3 Click Clack wooden vehicles, a small John Deere tractor, a mummy made quilt cover set, and a set of Mr Men books from big sis.



Daddy got a Star Wars Lego encyclopaedia, a Star Wars Lego Brickmaster book, The Pacific DVD box set, and a Star Wars Lego set which he bought for himself.

I got a fantastic slimline hi-fi thingy with a CD player and Ipod dock. I don't have an Ipod but DH does, and the CD player in my stereo isn't working so I really missed having music in the lounge room. I love it!




We headed over to the in-laws' around 10:30. On the way, the creme caramel I'd made the day before lost some of its sauce when we went around a corner. I had soooo much trouble making the damn sauce (it took 5 attempts) so I was almost in tears!



We got spoiled rotten by MIL, FIL and BIL. Jimmy got a scooter with flashing lights on it, finger paint, a smock, and an art pad. I got some sewing stuff, T got 8 charms for her bracelet and some earrings. DH got books and an awesome remote control helicopter. My family turned up just before lunch and gave the kids some nice gifts. I didn't really speak to my mum all day because she was down the other end of the table and I made myself busy so I didn't have to speak to her. I'm surprised Jimmy remembers who she is sometimes.



The food was fantastic and my desserts were a hit. The creme caramel was out of this world, and the fruit tarts were delicious too. It all became a bit much for Jimmy at about 3pm when he fell asleep on his little wicker chair in front of the TV.







T went to her mum's house in the afternoon where she will be staying until the weekend. I'm really enjoying the break from her as she has been very difficult lately. We notice that if she doesn't see her mum for about 3 weeks, her behaviour becomes very erratic. It had been 5 weeks since she'd last seen her mum, so needless to say, things were a bit tense here. I wish her mother would spend more time with her.

DH is on holidays for 4 weeks now. We have recently refinanced our mortgage and have put a bit aside to do some home improvements. Our roof was supposed to have a restoration done a few weeks ago but the weather has been too wet. Hopefully the rain will stop soon because we would like to have all the work done before DH goes back to work. As well as the roof, we are having a repair done to one of the supports for the roof, 4 new ceiling fans installed, and a new back patio built. DH will be tearing down the existing patio and chopping down all the trees in the garden to make room for an extended section of patio roof. If there is enough time and/ or money left, we will have all our gutters replaced because it looks like Niagara Falls outside when it rains.

On a sad note, tomorrow marks 5 years since my dear old dad passed. I miss him still, and dearly wish he could see his grandkids, but the pain isn't as raw as it was 5 years ago. It has become more of a dull ache that I have learned to live with.
So much has changed since then- I have graduated from university, become engaged, married, and given birth to two amazing children. I know he would have adored Jimmy and Elizabeth.