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?

Home made gifts.

Sometimes my children really surprise me. Stephanie recently had a birthday party (well actually she has had several). I asked what she wanted to do for a present for this little girl, what we could get her. Stephanie said lets not buy one mum. We can make her a jar of sweets like we did for Christmas present last year. So that's just what she did and a card as well.

We have also discussed the plans for Christmas present making. We now just need to get on with beginning to make them. I will reveal once we have finished.

What are you making for gifts this year?

My birthday meal

I have wanted to go to Jamie's Italian for a very long time but always put it off because it will cost too much etc etc.

Well this year I decided to go for it. I was going to have that as a treat. So I booked a table for me and the 2 children on my birthday. We got there and straight away I was impressed with the staff, polite and welcoming. They spoke to the children and actually stood still to listen to what they were saying. I know when you are buys in a restaurant you are doing so many things at once that this isn't easy, but they did. Once we had finally chosen Dylan and I ordered starters, there wasn't a starter on the children's menu, I was going to see if Stephanie would eat one of the adult ones but she was unsure- the waitress said it's no problem we can bring some breadsticks out for her so that you all eat together.  It really was tricky to choose our food and it took us a long time. Again, staff were fab answering the children's questions about the different sauces etc. on the foods.

Our main courses, we all had a little taste of each others. If was all really tasty,

Playing between courses. We played lots of games which we haven't played in a long time eg the alphabet shopping game, we had so much fun and laughed a lot.

Desserts- we all chose the same.

The whole meal was absolutely delicious. All the staff we saw were very friendly, we had a great time. And the bonus was it wasn't as expensive as I had expected. For a three course meal for 3 of us it was £52.00. Which is a lot when you look at our usual weekly shop, but for a posh restaurant not as much as I thought it would be. I would go back again, but not for a while- our belts are firmly tightened after a blow-out birthday! LOL

Happy Halloween

I seem to have been super busy since I started back at school. Hardly a moment to catch my breath before onto the next whirling event.

I am still here and trying to keep a tight grip on our finances. I am watching the news waiting for the
pinch to hit harder!

We are still managing to have some fun though, and still sticking to minimal spending.

We went to the local farm for our annual pumpkin pick- we left with just a  few! Lots of soup will be made to keep us warm through winter! LOL

 Stephanie has taken part in some local running events.

 We went out for a delicious meal to celebrate my 35th birthday. Ok so not the most frugal choice but soo tasty. I think this one warrants a post all of its own another day!

We have also had my baby boys 17th birthday. The car in the distance will give a clue to his present this year! Again, a post for another day!

So much to catch up on but now I have a garden full of children asking for lunch- left over party food from last night it is!