Wow this woman can cook!

Christmas day could not have been better, a great day spent with family and friends capped off by the most delicious of lunches cooked by Mrs Hammond. This was truly all the trimmings! Those of us who consumed and had to eat so much as it was so delicious, can now barely stay awake or move. That might also have something to do with her fact the day began at 3.30am as the girls, so excited, were already up. Lucy had unwrapped all her stocking fillers by 4am! I think I am getting a bit old for such early mornings. Never the less we have had a magical day, finished off nicely with a cuddle and a film by the fire (The Croods). I am going to sleep well....

Ready to go, locked and loaded for the festivities....

I feel very festive indeed. We had a lovely time as a family at the Christingle service earlier today, followed by delicious roast pork at Libby's. The girls were very vocal (and almost in tune) in singing the carols and Anna was very audible in saying the prayers several seconds after the rest of the congregation. The church was beautiful and the look of wonder and expectation on all the children's faces in the candle light was a wondrous sight to warm the heart. The girls are now in bed and went to sleep very excited. Amy and I have eaten and drunk all of Santa's alleged treats and all that needs to be done now is discreetly fill the stockings later tonight. I am not sure that Lucy is anything more than a 'go along with' believer any more, but the note she left for Santa convinced me otherwise that maybe she still believes! Whilst I was at work Mrs Hammond has been cooking and preparing like her life depended upon it. The food smells great and the house looks wonderful. One more sleep to go and let the excitement begin..

The snowman cometh.....

I am afraid sadly I missed Anna's Christmas play but I gather she made a fantastic snowman and took to the stage with confidence and artistic gusto! No nose picking this year! I came home yesterday to an exhausted Anna at the end of a long, long school term who needed an afternoon sleep just to get through the day. She has high expectations for her Christmas holidays and much swag from Santa. I was greeted with a note - 'I hope you had a good time in Scottish Daddy!' I tell you what Wiggle, coming home was much better....

Disco queen...

Armed with teenage attitude and bundles of excitement Lucy asked me to take her to her school disco last night and I have to say I proudly obliged. Whilst we were in the queue we had the 'conversation' about no kissing, boys and behaving much to her disgust. I do like to wind my eldest daughter up and she always takes the bait! She did say - 'Daddy I feel really grown up'. Don't be in too much of a hurry Lucy to become an adult, enjoy the innocence and lack of worry that comes with being a child. Blink and it will be gone soon enough. I am definitely not ready for her to grow up.It was such a delight to watch her as she ran into the hall to greet all her friends. She came home full of e-numbers and sporting several glow stick bracelets. Amy took these photos just before she went out and she looks great! Just watching Strictly as Lucy cries out sarcastically 'dance off alert' and she is now starting to comment on how cute the male dancers are. I am going to need help in the coming years..

Homework, homework, homework...

My house is a hive of intellectual activity in recent times and I am not sure my very tired and aging brain can keep up. Lucy's school is diligently focused on maths being a part of our everyday lives at the moment and at present we are knocking off several maths problems an hour! Couple this with the hyper focused and driven (understatement) Mrs Hammond, every minute involves a homework opportunity and I simply can't keep up. I have to say much of my schooling and learning as a child has long since diminished from my mashed brain and this is all going way over my head. Lucy embraces this with a mixed reception, sometimes with enthusiasm and other times with a mighty strop! Dry nights update: 10 out of 11. Well done Wiggle!

The struggle to be a big girl...

Anna is desperate to grow up and be recognised as so and she can claim a sensible mature attitude for her five years in so many ways. She is, however, still struggling to have consistent dry nights and it causes her much upset. I know she talks about it with her friends at school and it would mean so much to her to crack this and succeed. Just had five dry nights in a row, so fingers and everything I own crossed in ensuring she has success before Christmas. I think it would be the best present anybody could give her..