A little bit of sparkle

I've never been one for going mad with Christmas decorations. We only have a few, but what we do have i love. This little fella is one of my favourite. I found him on a charity market stall years ago and he always takes pride of place - this year on some twigs decorating the mantle.

This is new. To mark Ira's first Christmas (although it felt like she was here last year, she was actually still inside for the big day). I thought it looked a little bit like her, plus my whole approach to child-rearing is based on what I think I know about Eskimo (from films) so it seemed perfect.

This is also new. I bought a handful of vintage glass baubles on ebay. Reminds me of Mama Kitty.

Winter ice and the bear

The weather is getting cold. Daddy took a beautiful photo of the morning ice on our car.


Kitty decorated the empty christmas wrapping paper roll with a bear. I love her drawings and the style of her writing is just perfect.

Getting ready for Noel

Making some dodgy Christmas decorations. We all got very gluey.

This years school nativity. Kit was a shepherd, but her elaborate dancing to some of the carols made her look more like she was at Woodstock 1969 than Bethlehem. She stole the show.

We just caught the last post for our christmas cards.

Jesus Christ

Uncle Darren organised a surprise party for Auntie Nicky in Liverpool. Daddy and his brothers and Justin played some music. Fast becoming known as the 'sad dads band', but they actually really rock. Daddy sang a cracking version of Big Star's 'Jesus Christ'. Another really bad photo, but i was holding a baby at the time.

Steps

While I was trying to finish painting the front room, Bubs got bored and taught herself to walk with her trolley. Well done Bubs. Excuse the blurry photo - she is super quick!

Winter Wonderland

Uncle Robbie and Auntie Carla kindly let us have their VIP tickets for the Winter Wonderland in Chester. It was VERY cold, but a brilliant day was had by all. Kitty was extremely excited the whole time and loved running around and going on rides with cousin Ben (and Grandma!).

The Circus House was her favourite I think. Watching Kitty and Ben run like mad through the maze was like watching an episode of Total Wipeout.

Ben and Uncle Darren braved the Death Star (I can't remember what its really called!). You can just see their feet dangling top left. When they came down they were both frozen so we got hot chocolate, soup and chips.

Afterwards, we went back to Grandma and Grandad Pih's house to get warm. Grandad made a lovely tea and then Kitty snuggled up with Ben and Auntie Nicky on the sofa to watch Doctor Who.

Thanks to Robbie, Carla, Grandma and Grandad, Darren, Nicky and Ben for a brilliant day. x

Enjoying Christmas

Me and Ira went to Hebden Bridge to do a bit of Christmas shopping. There are so many lovely shops, it's a great place for gifts. It was raining when we arrived so we had a poached egg, toast and tea brunch in a nice cafe. Ira met a cute baby called Elizabeth and played with her until the rain stopped.

The birds were hungry, but we had forgotten the duck food.

We stopped to watched the men decorating the Christmas tree. It's great to watch other people stressing over this job after so many years of having to do it myself. The nightmare of being responsible for Christmas lights and festive events really does take the joy out of Christmas.

This is what happens when you don't accurately measure your tree pit! I imagine that they were desperately trying to find a chainsaw at 3am in the morning when the crane arrived and they realised the trunk was so thick. Been there...done that.

 We called in a the library....

...and some of the vintage shops which are brilliant. I was very well behaved and didn't buy myself anything despite seeing loads of lovely vintage dresses and 1940s shoes.




I did however buy this cute little glass Christmas ornament. I just couldn't resist it.
I also found this lovely 1950s birthday card for Ira. It's so nice I almost don't want to write in it! I think I will frame it after her birthday.

In the afternoon the sky was really blue and the sun very low making the drive home breathtaking. We often wish we could move closer to friends and family, but on days like this I am reminded that we are very lucky to live here and that I should work harder to persuade others to make the move closer to us instead. Unfortunately my photos didn't capture how amazing it looked.