December Celebrations 2016

Milo 2 days old weighing 1ib 10oz (740grms) 

The early part of December is always devoted to Milo, celebrating his birthday before we acknowledge the sprint to Christmas. This year was a particularly special birthday being his 18th so important to us, perhaps less so by Milo. I wanted to celebrate but Milo wanted to be kept much lower key so we negotiated I was allowed a family 'gathering' with the agreement his friends and family definitely did not mix! The result was a really enjoyable, dare I say, 'party' celebrating Milo with family/family friends dropping in throughout the evening. Milo felt loved and cherished by all the interest, With Milo's scary start to life he has turned into a caring bright and wonderfully engaging young man who fortunately has seen the light to now focus on his A-Levels!

Panoramic picture of Milo's party.

We feel very lucky parents to still be able to have access to the school Nativity Play and Carol Concerts, as Christmas starts at this point for us. Having chatted with colleagues I very happily realized when I sit through these Christmas performances  all emotional and teary, it's very likely I'm not the only one! The delight of such innocent performances is fabulous, the nativity was 'Hosanna Rocks' full of upbeat joyous songs and timely performance delivered by 4-5-6 year olds. The Carol service was in the local church and was structured around a modern day news report  of the nativity events with a whole school involvement, again really good emotional experience.

Dylan is 3rd on the left back row with red/yellow flag.

Meeting Santa continues to be an important event in our Christmas activities as Dylan truly believes in the magical wonder of Santa. This year we were very lucky to meet Santa a couple of times who were complementary to the magic.  Initially at Wicklewood church, where Santa was in his lit sleigh (an old GP pony sleigh) holding a conversation with Dylan for lots of minutes and then Dylan went back for more chats too, encouraged by a very engaging Santa who we later met in the pub for an interlude. He kept all his Santa garb on whilst he drank his pint. 

Our second Santa meeting was in Wonderland at Thursford, when we combined our first experience of the Christmas Experience matinee show. Our view was 'Wow' what a way to start Christmas! A superb flamboyant thrilling performance surrounded by music of many tempo's, the vibrant style exacerbated  when the singers and dancers came within the audience to perform. The Wonderland was pleasant and entertaining with a variety of Christmas Elves and winter animal scenes and pods to enjoy whilst waiting for Santa. The 'thrashing machine' had been reincarnated into a present packing convayabelt! Stepping outside of Wonderland into the darkness, to be presented with the most fantastically lit up trees and models at night was really quite beautiful even in the rain!

We stayed in the local cottage on the site for Christmas having a really restful easy time together. Inviting Nanny Pat from Christmas Eve through to Boxing Day, with Nanny Sandra and Grandad Kevin on Christmas Day, The greatest challenge in the cottage was dealing with the heat as the wood-burner was lit everyday the reason being 'because we could', determined to make the most of it. For Dylan it was access to the bath and for Milo to have a door to shut! 

The first time I have been to Midnight Mass at midnight was this year to Wymondham Abbey being the same for the grandfolks too. It certainly was a High Church occasion with lots of 'pomp, ceremony and incense', really quite awe inspiring in the dramatics of the occasion although not a particularly joyous uplifting event which is what i had expected. My surprise was I recognised one of those leading the ceremony in a beautiful gold gown as an ex-operating theatre colleague from Norwich.

On Christmas Day morning Dylan came to us saying "Santa has been the tree is 'bursting' with presents", what a wonderful perspective to remember. Hope you enjoy my video of our Christmas Day, worth a watch!

This year my parents celebrated their 53rd Wedding Anniversary just after Christmas with a big family games night gathering totaling about 35 people. It has been the first of a gathering like this for quite a while as children, grandchildren and great grandchildren whilst also acknowledging the only person at the party who attended their wedding, beng sister (our lovely Aunty Penny). The event came together very well in all areas of food, cake, secret santa pressies and games. It was a loud, raucous, fun, at times highly amusing family time facilitated by games such as how far can you 'spit the sprout', 'poop the spud', 'dip the carrot in a glass', quizzes and 'pass the parcel'. Generally very poor sportsmanship complimented by acute team spirit as the cheating fuelled near disarray of fairness!!

Carrot in the glass

An impressive circle for pass the parcel

Poop the spud

Not sure what this game was but Uncle John ended up dressed up unwrapping a present!

Finally New Year was much quieter and sedate but perfect in a still and calm evening. Back in our caravan with a few campsite family we really enjoyed a fire pit with burgers and sausages just chatting and watching the fire. Big Ben struck his cord of midnight, linking arms we sang what we could remember of Auld Lang Syne and then was sported by someone else's really fabulous fireworks, which looked like they belonged to us they were that close.

So wishing you a happy and healthy New Year for 2017. I already have a few little gems on the horizon which I look forward to sharing with you in future blog postings.

Sorry this posting was a bit longer but hope you got to the end and thought it was worth the time and read!