Christmas on a tiny string

This year Christmas is smaller than ever. The children's presents are scaled right back. Dylan is having driving lessons (I'm paying half with his dad). So he really isn't getting much else. Mostly clothes and smellies, just so he has things to open on the big day.

I am going to book Stephanie some ice skating lessons, we have an ice bowl not too far away. Stephanie has been asking to go ice skating for years, but I am still having nightmares from taking Dylan when he was younger (around 10!). I thought as I am not confident ie can barely stand up on skates! Lessons will probably be the safest bet. It is £60 for 6 lessons so she should be able to balance by the end of those! I am considering booking myself on as well so that I am confident to go on and enjoy time with her. To go with those Stephanie will get a few little presents to open. I already have a couple of bits for her- some pencils with her name on which she has ssked for, bought at a bargain price of £2.99. Another something she has asked for is a nerf gun rebelle, these were recently on offer at argos and you got 2 different guns for £8.99 for both so those were collected quickly.

I have heard that you can get cheap turkey crowns in aldi so I shall be heading there on pay day to hopefully get one. Everything else is already bought- I like to get treats- biscuits, pringles etc. These have been bought with my weekly shop for the past few months as and when I spot them on offer.

Christmas is almost done in my house. Just need to wrap up my children's presents and get some little bits for the stockings, I am thinking punch balloons, rocket balloons, wind up racers etc to have some giggles with on the big day. All other presents have been wrapped as soon as they are bought.

  

How are you managing Christmas this year?

We like to party

Last night we went to a family 60th birthday party. It was one of those lovely relaxed evening where people do what they want. This involved Stephanie and her cousin running/dancing around and around the dance floor, Dylan and the older cousins playing pool with their uncles and us girls doing well in Stephanie's words "Mum you didn't stop talking and laughing all night why didn't you dance?"
It was a lovely evening for all, I think the state of Stephanie's new shoes show what fun she had

Still, a little bit of nail varnish remover on cotton wool and a gentle rub and they look new again;

We didn't get home until just after midnight, when we got home Stephanie asked if we can do some of her cross stitch she is working on, she wasn't very impressed when I said no it's bedtime. She really did wear herself out as it is 9am now and she is still snoring. Still that means we get to have a lovely relaxed day now. I just hope later on when we pick up Dylan they are not both so tired they squabble, maybe I'll dig out a film and have a home movie night with them to try and keep it all relaxed today.

Happy Sunday everyone

Parenting

I have done a lot of thinking the past few months about parenting and ways of doing this. These thoughts began when my Mum was diagnosed with lung cancer. We have not had the easiest of relationships but we get along OK.

Through talking with a childhood friend I have come to realise that as humans we seem to focus on negatives. I remember things which are not necessarily positive aspects of growing up. However talking to my friend has helped me to see there were plenty of good times too, my Mum used to do lots with us, I remember making pies at the dining table, going for walks/picnics, picking blackberries, playing board games, Mum trying to teach me to knit (something which rather frustrated her). There are lots of memories.

I can see how my childhood had influenced me and made me the person I am today. I still have a love of all those things. I have learnt from my Mum ways I want to do things, and naturally some ways I don't want to do things. I'm sure in 20 years time my children will say something very similar.

So I can honestly say I am devastated that my Mum lost her fight to cancer last Sunday. I am going to miss her, whether it is reminiscing about when I was young, moaning about her when I have the hump or phoning to ask her advice when I can't work out what a knitting pattern means.

My Mum makes 3 family members who have died in the past 11 months. So treasure your family, and enjoy everyday with them, you never know how long you have together.