Christmas Eve

and not a chance of children asleep for hours yet…everything is wrapped and ready to bring out as soon as they fall asleep, Christmas cake is iced, cinnamon roll mix is made, Christmas Eve pyjamas have been opened and donned. Having mislaid the Night Before Christmas book I’ve read the rewrite I did last night instead.

This morning I finished off a crochet stocking for Davies. It took longer than expected but he is really pleased with it and it can come out for years to come. Vikki had brought up Christmas presents for us in envelopes on Sunday and said to the kids they could open theirs today if they wanted so once they were dressed they did and it was the first clue in a treasure hunt. Although it was raining it seemed like a really good idea to get them outside so they put coats and wellies on and headed off in the direction of Primrose falls coming back a few minutes later with a jam jar full of lollies and another clue. This time they were directed to a holly bush in the larch trees on the west side of the croft where they found chocolate coins and the next clue taking them down to the bridge. That one had reindeer antler boppers and a clue to the woodland on the east side of the croft (known locally as the Gruffalo woods) where the last clue was along with chocolate stars. This time to the Millionth Tree where it all ended with more sweeties. Such a brilliant present, it took the kids a good couple of hours and was perfect for getting them outside running around today even if all the good work was undone with the resulting sugar rush from all the sweets and chocolate! I’m really touched at how much work and thought Vikki put into it and very curious to open my envelope tomorrow from her!

Ady was doing lots of outside-y tasks so the kids came in and got changed into dry clothes then they had some lunch while Bonnie and I went to meet the ferry. I had rubbish and recycling to take down to the pier and we needed to pass our bank details on to Fencing Ben so he can pay us for the work we did so I had to go down there even though we were not expecting anything off the boat except post. It was a small delivery so I helped unload that and then went to the hall to get the mulled wine on. The post did arrive – about 15 Christmas cards including from various friends, neighbours in Sussex (I had posted a big pile of cards to one of the neighbours for all of them and they had all sent one back), a long letter enclosed with a card from Frazer and Kat and cards for the kids from my parents and granny too. Also the last present for Ady which I had thought might not get here in time, so everything arrived :).

I had a drink with Jinty, Ross, Neil and his (newly arrived) brother and then joined the few people in the hall. We’d been told most people went down on Christmas Eve for mince pies and mulled wine but actually it was just Ali & Sean, Vikki and David & Lynda with assorted visiting parents and children. It was nice though but it wrapped up just before 5 and after discussion about staying on to see who came down for a drink at the shop after 5pm when Jinty opened again we decided to come home and get settled in for the night.

We had venison for dinner, watched the Snowman and dog and packed the kids off to bed although at 11 they were both still awake.