Early Celebrations

We toasted in the new year early this year at our friends, Lisa and Laurent's wedding. Held in the magnificent Chateau de Chabenet - which was the Chateau Michael Jackson tried to buy to plan his new theme park, but unfortunately his plans were rejected.

The ceremony was held in the chapel and aperitifs in the hall with a huge open fireplace. Even more magical was the meal which was held in the renovated cellars! The dress code was strictly black (apart from the bride) and adults only. I danced and danced, completely sober with French and English guests until the early hours and we returned for breakfast with the children. Sam now believes that his friend, Luka (Lisa and Laurent's son) lives in a castle. Much fun was had by the children running across the expanisve parquet flooring.

So, new years eve for us is an early night after only getting to our beds at 2.30am.

Happy new year! xxx

A Christmas Summary

We're back in France after 2 weeks in the north of England where, despite all our plans, we were mainly snowed bound at Scott's parents. We had a lovely time and well earned rest and did manage to spend some time with friends and family close by.

We made it to see Santa in his grotto and to the Panto to see Snow White (and Noddy!). We caught up with old friends and met baby Miles for the first time and visited Great Granny Jessie too. Sam, Scott and Uncle Rob made a snowman (finally) whilst Auntie Saranne and I stood by with mugs of hot tea.

Christmas morning was magical. We have never seen Sam so excited - first realising Rudolph had eaten the carrot and Santa had eaten his biscuit, drunk his wine and even left a note! Entering the lounge in darkness and turning on the lights to find 2 stockings brimming with presents was nearly too much for Sam to take in...and all of us!

Now, we're back home it seems it has all gone by too fast....

Special meeting with Santa

We finally braved the snow and ice and took Sam and Bella (and Auntie Katie - 2nd photo) to see Santa at his Grotto. Sam was very shy and coy and showed him his watch (that is Sam's way of introducing himself - "look at my watch") and Bella was her normal babbly, chatty self and told Santa how much her teeth are bothering her, or lack of them. It was an amazing experience seeing the little ones eyes light up and being able to meet such a special person.

Snowed up!

The snow fell in huge quantities last night - unusual for the north west of England. It was a nice suprise to wake up to. Sam ran around and made train tracks in the gardn. We have yet to successfully make a snowman. Nana tried but the snow was so dry and powdery it wouldn't stay together. So, we have just to make a head for the snowman..maybe tomorrow.

Christmas creating

We arrived safely in the UK on Tuesday for Christmas, but before we left we made reindeer cards from Made by Joel and more biscuits (this time christmas tree shaped) - a necessity for the plane journey. Unfortunately and completely typical of me, I forgot the bring the cards, but they are so easy to make again.

Village lights

In a sleepy, small village commune like ours (about 80 inhabitants), it always amazes me that an effort is made to decorate the 'Place de l'Eglise' with Christmas lights. As long as we have our own Major then I think this will continue. We have 2 brothers who are twins and have lived in the village all their lives. It is thanks to them that these specials things happen.

Obviously, Sam thought these were a m a z i n g! and it was difficult to extract him from the snowman. Bella, who has just recently started pointing and anything and everything was in her little element! x

Little Robots

We have some new additions to the family. Sam loved making these cardboard robots. And as we have copious amounts of cardboard in our house from all the packing of shop items, making more shouldn't be a problem. The robot idea came from Made by Joel and I think we'll be making a whole army of them :)

Fresh air

Today is a peaceful day. Bella is catching up on missed sleep and I'm tidying and creating. Scott is working on a barn project in this dreary weather and Sam is enjoying his last week of school.

Between the drizzly showers, we took the two dogs for a quick walk around the village. I can't remember the last time we saw the sun.

Poorly playtime

The winter bugs have well and truly paid a visit to our house, as probably many others. We spent the weekend indoors, infront of the fire playing. We have a wooden truck full of colourful wooden blocks that I picked up from the charity shop, intended for this rainy day. Board games donated by nana Carol, my mum's friend. Snakes and ladders is definately Sams favourite at the moment. Playing percussion with the old pan and spoon. And, finally building extremely tall lego towers with daddy. The little ones almost forgot they were poorly. Now I fear it's our turn to feel ill...hmph. x

After the snow fell

Sam has been off school all week with a nasty virus. We've been couped up in the house all week getting lots of rest and keeping warm. We had 2 days of snow and little man just wanted to get out there and have snowball fights and build snowmen...but party pooper mummy wouldn't let him...until today. Only for 15 minutes, which was enough to soak through his gloves and boots. He was very happy nonetheless. We built the most pathetic snowman and Sam loved walking through untouched snow and simply picking the snow up over and over again in a kind of awe of how it stuck to his gloves.

Handmade Advent Calendar

This is Sam's advent calendar. Not very well designed. The fabric pockets (sewn with fabric sraps and old clothes) are a little too big for the tree. But not bad for a first attempt! We made handmade chocolates wrapped in tin foil. I think I'm going to experiment with handmade chocolates - they were so easy and quick. Plus, we want to make something other than biscuits with icing!