Christmas 2018 Starts Here!

[Daisy]

We had a lovely evening yesterday with GSs1 and 2. We sat at the dinner table for ages just chatting and laughing, and I said to OH afterwards that it was like having two grown ups visiting! They seem to have become young men overnight. I know I'm odd, but I really love this teenage stage where they can be silly and funny at the same time but know when to rein it in. GS1 helped OH to put twinkly lights all round the dining room, lift some boxes into the loft and a few other jobs. But they're not too grown up to give me a good hug.

Today OH's sister, her husband and eldest daughter joined us plus GSs' parents for lunch. I slightly over-catered - fortunately most of it will go in the freezer for another day, but we enjoyed seeing my SIL and her OH. They are both over 80 now my SIL has recently had some eye problems, so there was an instant topic of conversation!! We sat chatting over lunch for about 3 hours and OH and sister did more of the clearing up.

I've got tomorrow to finish getting ready for Christmas Day - just prepping vegetables and things like that.

I want to go out in the morning to get a plant for DIL1 as part of her Christmas present and as we'll be seeing her mother and step mother on the 29th I'll get something for them as well.

But tonight, it's feet up and r e l a xxxxx.

[Nana]

Unlike Gem (seeing her pics on Fbk) our Panto didn't work out too well. It opened with the wicked witch saying that she was looking for some children to feed to the giant. They had microphones this yr & boy was it loud. GS cried & looked terrified so we stayed just 15mins if that. We sat in the drink area & saw two other little ones come out (4+ yrs) frightened too. Gave in & went into town for coffee & cake after that. Mummy said he was having bad dreams tonight.

Two hams to cook tomoro...one in the slow cooker with Christmas spices. Filter the sloe gin into bottles then my outstanding jobs are done.

[Daisy]

Nana - that does sound a bit scary. I hope it hasn't put GS off pantos for good and doesn't have any more bad dreams about it.

I threatened to feed my GSs' breakfast to the purple two-headed monster is they didn't come down and get it but they are 15 and nearly 14 and they just laughed at silly Grandma! It's a whole different situation with little ones.

[Plantaholic]

That was an upsetting performance for your GS Nana, hope it hasn't put him off going again another time.

You wicked GM Daisy

[Gemini]

Nana, my 6 year old GS would have been terrified too ! My GD at 9 would have taken it well, but not little ones. What a shame for you all

[Oma]

Awww what a shame Nana , to be honest I always maintain Pantos are for grow ups really
Think that one wasn't thought out for little people was it ,

[Gemini]

So here is Christmas Eve.
We are going to DD2's for tea and to experience the Christmas Eve excitement of 9 year old granddaughter and 2 year old grandson

Tomorrow we will have a nice breakfast and open our presents. Then lunch will be underway and I will go for my mum. The best we can hope for is a day that is a bit boring, the worst we won't dwell on!
DD3 and SIL will do a call from Canada while mum is here, so that is a big bonus.

On Boxing Day we will call for mum at midday, then onto DD2's again for a family day.

The following day, 27th, is my beloved auntie's 90th birthday. OH is playing golf that day, so I will go alone and deliver some flowers to her.

We will host our usual New Year's Eve gathering which I enjoy very much. 2 of our friends are in New Zealand so not joining us this year, but one of OH's golf friends, a widow, will join us. She came to one of our games afternoons earlier this year, and enjoyed it and fitted in well.

[Nana]

Daisy that is no way to describe your OH....a purple two headed monster indeed.😂

[Nana]

Gem this was in our Metro re the Panto Dame.

[Gemini]

Yay!'
He told us this year that he feels he has made it, as he was a Pointless answer

[Clover]

Nana what a shame about the panto.Little ones take things so literally. Poor little chap having nightmares.Is it worth mentioning to the theatre what happened as you weren’t the only ones who had to leave? I know the theatre itself is not responsible and the writer and director are but the theatre manager doesn’t want any bad publicity. I expect you are out of pocket too?

I’m sure all your plans will come together ladies So Enjoy.

[Daisy]

I
This morning started early and poor OH set off in the dark to do the supermarket shop. So far he's rung three times with queries from my lengthy list. The last one was "Do you want stuffing?" He means of the sage and onion variety, but I hope no-one was listening at his end!!!

It seems there was someone listening. A lady standing nearby said she didn't get offers like that!!

[Plantaholic]

All prepared for my family tomorrow, DS, DIL, GS'S 1and2 plus DIL's brother. Some veg cooked, trifle made for DS, pudding to cook tomorrow, plus some chocolate puddings for GS4. Table is laid. They are coming about 1p.m to open presents, lunch about 2.30. My DD is cooking for her family, next door in her kitchen. It is a long time since I cooked a Christmas dinner so I needed to get a head start.

Whatever you you are doing tomorrow I hope you all have a lovely day.

[Gemini]

Mulled wine, Christmas Eve box, my daughter reading The Night Before Christmas, mince pies, whiskey and carrots put out, excited children, what a lovely night it was!
2 year old grandson's earnest face putting all the Father Christmas and reindeer goodies on the special plate, and 9 year old granddaughter's pure happiness and giddiness were the highlights

[Daisy]

Gem - these are the special times we treasure for ever. xx