20th Dec and we were properly into our Christmas holidays, feeling particularly Christmassy as it was quite snowy and icy. Aunty M braved the weather to pop across and see us and deliver Xmas presents.
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Later that afternoon we were supposed to go to Mush’s house for a Xmas mummies' afternoon. I set off in the car and the plan was to drop M at the shops then go on to Mush’s. But I set off driving and the roads were alot worse than I expected. I got as far as the Co-op and chickened out. We parked up, did the shopping together and then M drove back. The girls then had a picnic tea infront of the fire. I was really disappointed not to get there – sorry Mush!
The plan had been that Grandma and Grandad came down on 21st Dec, but the snow up north was bad and the roads were bad, so to come down just for a few days seemed like a risky option. We spoke to them in the morning and found out they were not coming. We were all really sad, but agreed we would make arrangements to see them as soon as possible after Christmas.
To give us something to do and take our minds off the disappointment we decided to take a walk along the cycle path to pick up a parcel.
The cycle path was iced over and (I imagine as a result) was almost entirely deserted.
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It was really lovely, the walk was really peaceful and the snow made everything so beautiful and clean. Squidge was in the carrier, but Fidget had to walk and towards the end was really fed up so M ended up carrying her in his arms (while still carrying Squidge!). We picked up the parcel then went on to a pub in Fishponds for lunch. We had a nice table with a big radiator next to us, which was great for warming up and drying out Fidget’s boots and socks.
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We had a nice lunch together and hatched a plan to buy a sledge to pull Fidget back. So after eating, M wandered up and down the Fishponds high-street but no sledge could be found.
We walked all the way back up to our local high-street before being able to buy a sledge, which was great for the last stretch through the park! Fidget loved the sledge and it was sooooo much easier pulling her along, particularly as it was so icy, there was no resistance at all. Well at least we have it now for next time!
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The plan had been on 22nd Dec to have a Christmas lunch with Grandma, Grandad and Uncle A.
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We had in all the food but only one guest!
There was alot of ham! It was all yummy.
After lunch we opened some presents…
Thanks for all the super presents – I’ll get the thank you letters done eventually!
On the 23rd we got packed up and drove down to Dorset to Granny and Grandpa’s house.
Christmas eve, the girls settled into getting ready for Christmas day. Squidge having lunch…
Fidget helped Granny make a trifle…
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then it was time for a swim…
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M’s family would usually go to midnight mass on Christmas eve, but not wanting a late night with the girls, we went for the 5pm mass which was packed and we were stood at the back. Grandpa was doing a reading. The church was quiet waiting for him to start, when Fidget could be heard to pipe up “why is Grandpa reading?!”.
We came back and the girls opened a few presents, including their Christmas day clothes…
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Fidget was very pleased with her Mary Poppins soundtrack…
Then it was time to get ready for Father Christmas’s arrival. Fidget and Grandpa went out to sprinkle reindeer food on the lawn so they would know where to land.
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Squidge looked on from inside…
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The girls woke up at a not too unreasonable hour and we went down to see what Father Christmas had left…
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Father Christmas had brought a great game for Fidget and a doll for Squidge, and despite the game being really good (she did enjoy playing it later), Fidget thought it was quite unfair that Squidge should have a doll and she didn’t. So Granny suggested that Fidget open a present from her and Grandpa…
Fidget seeing that Squidge now had two dolls, started to feel a bit miffed…. but Mummy called a halt to the doll escalation and reminded the girls that they were very lucky to have the dolls they had!
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Granny and Grandpa also got a duplo airport for Fidget which was very popular with Grandpa and Fidget.
After a morning spent playing, Fidget helped Granny by setting the table…
While Squidge sampled the lunch…
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i love this picture of cheeky Squidge…
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After lunch it was time to start skype-ing the various family around the globe. We started by calling Grandma, Grandad, Uncle A, Aunty B, Great Grandma who were all having Christmas together with other Aunts and Uncles at Great Aunty N’s…
We also made calls to Wales, Germany, Ireland and the US…
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On Boxing day, I went with Granny and Great Aunty M to the sales. We had a fab time clearing out Monsoon, then getting more great stuff from Gap, H&M and TKMax. We also stopped for hot chocolate and cake at Thorntons. We finished off the marathon by spending about 2 hrs in Lakeland – most of which was spent browsing the chocolate isle! We came home with bags of stuff, not all of it was for the girls!
meanwhile, Fidget and Squidge had a great day, swimming and going for a walk with Daddy, Grandpa and Great Uncle S.
Great Aunty M had bought the girls some books, a really lovely book about a mole for Squidge and an wipe clean activity book for Fidget…
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On 27th Dec, Granny, Great Aunty M and I nipped back out to the sales, taking a few things back and visiting M&S (which hadn’t been open the day before). It was manic! (Boxing day had been very quiet in comparison). In the evening there was time for more swimming…
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28th Dec – the highlight of the day photo wise was more swimming! Fidget was getting on really well kicking her legs at the bar and with swimming around in just her armbands (even getting her arms going)…
However, poor old Squidge was really ill all day with a high temperature, it got up to 40deg. Our main cause for comfort was the fact she still managed to eat, not much – but something.
The night was really bad, M and I did a shift each, but the person with Squidge did not sleep and she was so restless. However by the morning her temperature was down and her appetite was alot better. She was shattered however….
(29th Dec)
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Granny and Fidget made a trifle for Aunty M, Uncle A and the twins immanent arrival….
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and by the afternoon, Squidge was in much better spirits….
30th Dec, more swimming for Fidget, having great fun with Granny…
The twins thought it was all very interesting…
and were keen to have a paddle….
New years eve and I woke up with what Squidge must have had, through the night I had had an awful temperature and hardly slept. I returned to bed for the morning. After a shower in the afternoon I did feel better and got up.
Bedtime and the kids watched a bit of tv together…
1st Jan – Happy new year! Squidge and Fidget decided to start the year with a spring clean!…
The twins are really coming on and were doing some great cruising…
Fidget had a go at painting…
Squidge helped Granny in the kitchen, making a cauliflower cheese…
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she was quite keen on eating the cheese though!
Two busy executives…
3rd Jan we were back home. One of the things I had bought in the sale was a fuzzy felt kit where you could make your photos into fuzzy felt pieces. Team Challis hit the beach…
more of the fuzzy felt gang…
4th Jan the girls had a go with the fuzzy felts…
Fidget really liked the faces and banged them down ontop of each other…
Fidget made a scene with her and Sophie and Iestyn….
then her and Iestyn and Daddy…
I can’t wait to mock up scenes for things I haven’t taken pictures off. It was a present for the girls honest!!!
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