Dada's Yuletide Log

A lovely log Dada; he was up all night laying it, so it should be.

Oliver's take on Christmas

He reminds me at very regular intervals that Father Christmas is coming. When asked how F.C is getting here, he oscillates between F.C's car, the train and the bus. Sometimes he comes with Reindeer, sometimes not. F.C is bringing: First, it was a banana; then 'something'; and finally a 'big Thomas'. On Christmas Day itself he is still telling me Father Christmas is coming and won't be persuaded otherwise.

When asked what he actually got for Christmas he usually says 'nothing', which is so far from the truth it's not funny. Maybe it's time to restrict the pressies if he can't even remember what he got two days after the event....

Christmas craziness...

Oliver being a little possessive over Pip's Thomas engines from F.C.


Pip basking in the glow of adrenalin of opening F.C's presents.


Oliver in training to take over Unky Toby's job of hander-out-of-presents.


Everyone looking terribly serious about getting out the Christmas lunch.

Waiting for Father Christmas...

The boys after putting out carrots, mince pies, milk for F.C; brownies for Mrs F.C and magic reindeer dust so Rudolf knew where to come. Fingers crossed he doesn't get stuck in the chimney....

Our Living Nativity

If you were wondering what a 'living nativity' was, then you needn't take a look at wikipedia, just scroll down. We were regaled with a retelling of the story of the birth of baby Jesus with live actors and animals at the local kids farm. Topped off with sausages from the farm and hot chocolate and mince pies. Aside from the cow that nearly took out Mary and Joseph (and had to be evicted from the manger), we had a lovely evening wondering around a muddy farm in pitch black, seeing if Mary and Joseph could find a room for the night.

Pip wanted to kiss ALL the animals he saw and then obviously channelled the other baby in the room and didn't want to get up from the straw. Oliver, after a shaky start, said he had 'fun' and it was 'pretty cool' on the way home in the car. After we'd rescued the escaped rare breed piglet that we'd nearly ran over on the dark country lanes. Who said Christmas wasn't exciting?

Oliver gets into the festive spirit.

This is the first thing Oliver does when he arrives at Nonna and Big G's. It goes on for quite some time. You'll often find both him and Pip dancing to the racket.

The House that Mama built....

With a lot of help from Dada.

According to Oliver it's " pretty good". I have no idea what I have to do to impress him.

A historic day...

For two reasons:

1. Oliver ate a dinner of only broccoli and peas. Yes, broccoli. By itself.

2. Pip fed himself. Mostly not in his mouth.