Home After Christmas

Well its been a busy few weeks and we have travelled up and down the country to visit relatives over the Christmas period but we are now safely home.

It all started with a three night stay at Butlins in Minehead  where we met Father Christmas, relaxed in the pool, played on the fairground rides and enjoyed some wonderful shows including the pantomime Aladdin. It was hard to write a proper review away from home but now i'm back I will be going through all my video clips and telling you how it went.

Next we travelled up near Nottingham to visit Husbands side of the family. It was lovely to catch up with everyone especially his Sister and her girls. Poppy had great fun playing with her Cousins and we only wished we had seen more of them and didn't live so far away. It was especially lovely to see our little niece too who is now seven months old and we have only seen a few times.

All in all it was a rush getting around everyone but it was great to see them all.

Next we headed down towards the Cotswold's to see my Parents.  It was really good to spend some quality time with them and was a really relaxing Christmas. No stress, no arguments just a lovely, relaxing break. The girls had great fun as they are very close to their Grandparents and I even managed to nip out and treat myself and them to a few things in the sales.

The girls were at a lovely age and thoroughly enjoyed Christmas day. It really was quite magical as Poppy really believed Father Christmas was going to come down the chimney and was so excited about leaving out goodies for him. We left a bottle of beer and a mince pie for Father Christmas plus carrots and milk for the reindeer:

Last year they were a bit overwhelmed by it all but this year even Rosie enjoyed ripping open wrapping paper and playing with the toys hidden inside. Poppy was most excited about her dolls house:

 Whilst Rosie loved this musical set hidden within a drum:

I personally loved these beautiful broider anglais aprons complete with funky cookie cutters and recipe book. I cant wait to get cooking with the girls:

Here are a few more photos of our Christmas:

Collage personalized with Smilebox

I hope you have all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones too and wish you all a very Happy New Year.

Karen x

A Christmas Meme!

I have been tagged by Mummy and The Beastie to participate in this festive meme originating from Mummy Alarm. It’s a good one so you might want to join in!

1. The Christmas song I can even listen to in June is…

My favourite Christmas song is the very cheesy ‘All I Want for Christmas is You’ by Mariah Carey. I love it. It puts me in such a good mood and I cant help but "sing" along to it. I remember one year at Uni when I drove my house mates crazy by playing it over and over haha. I was sooo annoying!

2. Hot Chocolate, Egg Nog or Mulled Wine?

OOhh a lover of hot chocolate and mulled wine its a close one for me. If pushed I would have to go for the latter. I guess you can have hot chocolate at any time but mulled wine is only around at Christmas. I have very fond memoires of the Christmas markets in Germany and enjoying a little mulled wine...mmmmmm

3. When do you put your decorations up?

This year we put it up the first weekend in December but only because we are going away next week. If we put it up any later it almost wouldn't have been worth it. I love Christmas and I love decorations!

4. What are you having for Christmas dinner?

Being veggy it wont be turkey for me. I'm spending Christmas at my parents this year and Mum is trying a new recipe out. All I know is its a Jamie Oliver one and something to do with wild mushrooms. I will be having it with Marmite roast potatoes, vegetables and Christmas pudding....delicious!

5. What’s your favourite Christmas Tradition?

As children we used to go to Midnight mass and were allowed to open one present afterwards.  Last year Husband and I started a new tradition of our own where the girls and us all had new pjs to open.  We are going to keep this going!

6. Have you ever gone carol singing?

When I was younger I did but I have a terrible voice.

7. When did you discover the truth about Santa?

I was about quite old when I stopped believing....about 9 I think. I had heard something at School about it not being true and asked my parents. They denied it of course so that night I stayed up waiting. I could hear presents being wrapped and waited and waited. My Mum kept coming in and telling me to go to sleep. In the end I pretended to be asleep and she put my full stocking at the end of my bed.  The next day I told her I had been awake and she made me promise not to tell my Sister.

8. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?

I love white lights and pretty colours. This year ours is blue, pink, purple, and teal. At the top we have a very fluffy looking blue and white fairy. Its very girly and has lots of wooden fairies on it.

9. What’s the best thing about Christmas?

It has to be spending time with family.  It doesn't matter where we are or what we do as long as we are together. This year I am particularly looking forward to spending it with a believer. Poppy is 3 now and really believes Father Christmas is going to come down the Chimney. I am looking forward to leaving out a drink and mince pie for him and water and carrots for reindeer with her.

10. All I want for Christmas is…

To see the faces and excitement on my little girls when they wake up.

I am now going to tag:

Inside the Wendy House

The Boy and Me

Mummy Daddy Me

In Search Of The Perfect Dolls House

I am in search of a pretty wooden dolls house, but not just any dolls house....no little Miss has put in a Christmas request!

Poppy would like a pink wooden dolls house with blue windows and flowers above the door....aaaahh so specific!!

Nanny and Gramp's have a small carry one at their house that was brought almost two years ago and not sold any more. She loves it and now wants a bigger version at our house.

I have scanned the internet and not found one quite like this although there are some beautiful ones out there.

I have been on twitter and pointed in the direction of some lovely dolls houses but none have been quite right. Someone even suggested I buy one and paint it but I am really not that crafty and would hate to ruin something so expensive.

I am sure she would love any of them but I want it to be perfect!

Any help will be appreciated.

Karen x