Friday, December 26, 2008

A merry Christmas day

Had a good time. We managed to put off the big "pressie opening" first thing until after our cooked breakfast. Pressie opening started around 9.30 a.m. - I don't think Ben could wait any longer (he was climbing the walls)!

From the lovely happy smiles and surprised expressions, I think Katie and Ben (and hubby too)were very pleased with their goodies. Katie made an adorable felt snowman for Ben and Ben made a variety of paintbrushes using twigs and things from the garden (feathers, straw, etc., etc.) for Katie. I got a fabulously cosy fleece/hand knitted coat/cardi - very hippyish and very me so I'm very pleased (OK so I chose it, but I did put it away for P to wrap for me so it was still a Christmas day surprise).
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This squidgy "stress" ball is hard to put down - changes colour as you squeeze it through all the holes.

Katie's main present from us was a couple of rats which she'd been after since the summer. We'd found the cage on Freecycle and then sanded it all down and carefully re-sprayed it ready for Christmas. With a bundle of toys/houses and other such things all placed inside the cage Christmas Eve morning, we headed out to choose a couple of rats. Pets at Home only had one male, one female and three very young Dumbo rats available which was a bit disappointing. She didn't want to split the Dumbo rats and couldn't buy just one of the others (they only house them in pairs so what happens to the odd ones left over?). Luckily there were a couple of female year old rats up for adoption the exact colourings that Katie had hoped for, so we bought them. She (well us all) are over-the-moon - they are so adorable. They had been named Poppy and Meg by the lady in the shop and I think Katie will keep those names, they seem to suit them. Poppy is very forthcoming and was happy to be picked up after her 24 hour settling in time. Meg was much quieter (and abit nippy too), but this afternoon she let Katie, Ben and my sister (who was visiting) have a hold and a play, so hopefully her shyness has gone for good.
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Poppy

Yesterday lunchtime we went for a super Christmas meal at my s-i-l and b-i-l with b-i-l doing a professional job of the cooking. We had the full works. Huge slices of turkey, mash and roast potatoes, veggies, roasted carrots and parsnips, pureed parsnips (which were delicious), brussels, leeks in cream, stuffing, gravy and cranberry and port sauce on the side. A very moorish Christmas pud for dessert (not usually a lover but this was by far the best I'd every had) with rum sauce. Champagne and wine (although in tiny quantities for me as I'd picked the short straw (for once) when it came to driving home). Big pat on the back for J - THE Christmas Day cook who used parsnips and leeks from his own garden - you can do it again next year!!

P enjoyed his freedom to drink, but didn't enjoy me having a giggle at him. He is so different when he's had a few. He'll join in a conversation and then complete forget what he, and other, had said just a few moments before, or he'll misunderstand something and go off at a tangent. Katie and I stuffed his boots with Christmas cracker hats and he didn't even notice how uncomfortable they were! Needless to say he slept well - and snored for England!

We all had a lovely time. I got these very pretty mini fairies from P's parents. I'd first seen them on this website about 2 or 3 years ago but each Christmas I'd leave it too late for buy one. Now I've decided I'll add to my small collection every year. The photos are dark and so don't show up the lovely colours (but you can see their beauty on the website, although I think Orla is no more!), but they are truly lovely collectors pieces.
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"Baird" - Autumn Fairy

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"Mistle" - Winter Berry Fairy

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"Orla" - Jewel Fairy

My sister and her family visited today for a large buffet lunch (so large we couldn't even finish off the food at supper time). Lovely to see them all. Katie enjoyed showing off her rats, and Ben loved have a long play with his two young cousins.

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas Day.

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5 Comments:

At 3:44 pm, Blogger Classroomfree said...

Oh oh oh, I love the rats!!!! Bless :o)

We have only got one left now, after 8 have died in the past few months (due to old age).

I hope you all have a great deal of fun with them.

xx

 
At 7:32 pm, Blogger Elaine, Ellies Treasures said...

Thanks Jules, I'll post up a couple more piccies in due course. Lovely to hear from you. Elle

 
At 12:13 pm, Blogger Unknown said...

Just wanted to say hi, as I just started reading your blog. Love the animals photos on your sidebar.

Looking forward to reading more about your homeschooling journey.

 
At 2:17 am, Blogger stefndawniy said...

sounds like lovely times , I love your fairies :)

 
At 4:27 pm, Blogger Elaine, Ellies Treasures said...

Hello "Mom" and thanks for dropping by. I will be leaving this blog behind tonight (31st Dec), but my new blog will be up and running under the following link, where you'll be able to read about our home education, crafts and life in general. Happy new year to you.

http://elliestreasures.blogspot.com

Elle

 

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