How much cadbury's do you want? Mu inlaws are pasing the factory on the way down today, I'll get them to stop by and then teleport some over.


I did most of mine in installments with niece20months in pushchair. Children always shop so beautifully with anyone but their parents. It meant I had transport to walk the presents home too - how I miss DSs buggy (which he refused to get in from 2 1/2). Let's hope niece is like her sis and stays firmly attached to the seat for another cople of years.

The thing the I suggested the kids get for J, I've never seen him show any interest in at all before but knew he would be.. the afternoon that we got it in the morning he was looking at that very website - most odd.


We've got hours of fun planned tonight. J's mum and dad have bought playmobil hospital for DD and pirateship for DS - it is our mission to have them assembled before the kids realise it's morning - ie 4.30/5am.


I really like the mentally busy shops - particualrly when you have a pushchair to mow all the people out of the way


:HappyHolidays: :MerryChristmas: I hope you all survive this holiday period and wish those of you that need strength, strength, those of you that need calm, calm and all of you joy.

Ah yes the assembly period before the storm.

My sister has a set of twins and I stupidly one year said "yes I will come over and help you assemble stuff for christmas morning". OMG 2 of Everything. 1 of everything is bad enought but 2 0_o'.

Luckily we don't have anything to assemble this year as DS's gifts were straight forward. I wonder about the Ben 10 alian creation challenge thing tho...it has a lot of small parts.

So how did everyone's Christmas mornings go...were the kids over the moon with there presents...have you seen them since they got them?

Mine has built a fort in his room with his new bed tent and is amassing his own toy army in preperation for the battle against the decepticons...That is one organized kid.

Puppy is in a state of confusion as she doesn't know which toy to chew on next.

H had the PS3 hooked up in record time. I though he was going to snuggle with it on the couch over night.

Cats are aloof from eating too much....they got "special" presents.

I am drinking my 3rd cup of chai latte goodness from my new Keurig brewstation. I LOVE this thing.

How did everyone else fair?

i got a cuisinart bread maching and a rotisserie.....i am in heaven!!! this house always has wonderful cooking smells...now it is unbelievable!! fresh bread in the morning...rotisserie chicken for dinner...and the best part...put ingredients in...push a few button...walk away...come back---dinner is done!!

these are cool appliances

Two years ago I gave WW a bread machine for Christmas. She has never used it -- I was the bread maker in the family!

Today I packed it up and put it in the garage with the rest of WW's things. You know, I almost hope she says she doesn't want it when she comes to fetch her things...

We had a great Christmas. The kids and I went to the Christmas Eve service. I was so proud of the kids! DD4 asked to go potty during the service so I took her. When DD4 and I got back, the pastor talking to the kids on the altar and DS7 was up there! THen, DD4 walked up on her own! This was huge - a year ago DD4 would not have even gone up there with me. The speech therapy she's been in for the last year has worked wonders with her confidence. Then, the guy behind us told me that DS7 had gone up on his own even though I was not there.

On Christmas Morning, DD4 woke me up at 4am. I let her open her Santa presents then she went back to bed. DS7 woke up at about 7:30am and we spent a few hours together before the kids swap at noon. DD4 was SOOO excited for Christmas this year. I am really glad I had the kids for Christmas morning.

Wow PSU sounds like you guys had an awesome Christmas. Good on DD4 for being so brave. You must be a very proud papa.


DS went to his dads christmas eve and H had to work till 11pm on christmas eve (police stations never close). So I was mostly on my own. I went to Christmas eve service with a couple of good friends. We were very disappointed as usually that service is PACKED. But there were empty pews and it did not even seem like a christmas service at all. The children did not do the nativity story as they usually had. It was very bland. But I was glad to give time to worship in prayer.

Then I came home and made my infamous Bruchetta garlic cheese bread. packed up some presents and walked down to my BFF's apartment in the next building for a Christmas eve sware`. He little dog went nuts over his present....he carried it around proudly all night long. I went home shortly before H got off work to finish some last minute santa wrapping. H got home we opened a few presents and went to bed.

Christmas morning WE GOT TO SLEEP IN. I don't remember the last time I can say I got to do that on a Christmas morning. Eventually I got up and made H Breakfast in bed. Waffles and cheesy scrambled eggies. We then assisted the furry children in the opening of their presents. The dog LOVES her new floppy raccoon Santa paws brought her.

XH brough DS home at noon and the mele called Christmas morning began. I don't think I have seen my floor EVER covered in so much paper. We then packed it in and headed over to my parents H stayed for a bit before he had to go to work again. We had snacks through out the day then we opened presents. Then a HUGE italian meal filled with lots of jokes, love, and laughter. Oh and wine....we italians love our wine.

My children were thrilled.....when my son unwrapped the first accessory for his new i-pod nano, he grinned from ear to ear, literally! He had given me no list and had absolutely no idea.

My daughter was shocked when she realized her string of pearls was good enough to last her a lifetime - and not just a couple of years. Channeling her 'Inner Audrey', she had asked for a black dress, a string of pearls, and a copy of "The Art of French Cooking"....a la 'Sabrina'! LOL!!!

My mom had already gotten some Christmas jewelry and a Christmas tree w/ decorations for her apt at the memory care facility. So, I got her some yarn (she knits, rips out, and knits again) and a book of word search puzzles. She was happy.

The family Wii isn't hooked up yet. That should be my job tonight.

As for cooking, our traditional Christmas Eve meal is roasted hot dogs and s'mores....little shopping, little prep, little clean up, lots of fun. On Christmas Day, we have breakfast, usually waffles but this year it was cinnamon toast. My children go to their dad's about noon on Christmas Day.

They should be home Friday and we will probably have gumbo. I'm having some minor oral surgery Wednesday and think soft stuff will be all I can muster due to the incision in my gum/lip area. I have a feeling I won't look like celebrating publicly Thursday night though I might be wrong.

I highly recommend the Wii FitPlus for EVERYONE in your families.

(I am currently in 2nd place behind my dau in the hula hoop contests)

We haven't watched TV in DAYS!

I'm counting the hours till I get home because I challenged the Wookie to a showdown this afternoon!

(ps - my abs are considering divorce, but I don't care right now)

Hahahaha...I know that game very well H cannot keep up with me...all that belly dancing class paid off... hehehe