Christmas traditions in status updates

Dec 17: It’s eleven o’clock and I’m making gifts for the boys’ teachers for tomorrow. I’m making them, and I’m looking at them, and I’m mostly thinking SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT THEM A BOTTLE OF WINE.

Dec 18: has mistaken ‘Christmas party’ at preschool to mean lunch not needed and sent her preschooler without. Bad mother. Sent sick-looking son to school party day at his request. Also, bad mother. But got gifts to all teachers. Good mother. Been a long morning, need breakfast.

Dec 20: is loving all the Christmas parties and is feeling really Christmassy

Dec 21: Five children fed….. four children bathed, three kids down, too many chores and a gin and tonic calling me.

Dec 22: We have an unexpected house guest: and it’s not a welcome one.

Dec 22: Four dvds, three sheets washed, two sickie kids and a mother needing her immunity.

Dec 22: we read advent stories by candlelight: tonight, The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey and my sentimental eldest boy has tears in his eyes at the end

Dec 23: Four shirts ironed, three gifts made, two stomachs lined and a designated driver that’s not me

Dec 24: Our Christmas Eve traditions start with the tracking of Santa’s journey. The children are at fever pitch already with the thought that he’s started his journey. If the kids aren’t in bed tonight by the time he gets to Europe, he won’t visit our house. Works every year….

Dec 24: We’re still washing sheets here. I’m considering putting corks in both ends of the offending children. The Polar Express has everyone in good spirits though.

Dec 24: we read The First Christmas by Jan Pienkowski. Just in case the proper meaning of Christmas has been forgotten in all the excitement

Dec 24: the boys write letters to Father Christmas. Harry writes “please can I have a Lego Stars Wars desert skiff. If I can’t have that please can I have a new brain so I can understand Maths”. I think I could do with one of those too. He also writes “I’ve been a really good boy this year” and Matthew and I nearly piss ourselves laughing.

Dec 24: we join family for Christmas afternoon tea and stuff ourselves with Christmas cake (must remember not to make myself sick for a change this year). We send the children’s letters to Father Christmas up the chimney and quickly distract them so they don’t see them fall back down the chimney and burn to a cinder in the fire.

Dec 24: we read The Night Before Christmas and check if Santa is approaching the UK. The boys are beyond excited and leap in and out of bed to look out the window but a few minutes later they are asleep. It’ll be early stockings then off to spend Christmas with family. There will be terrible jokes, lots of tired and overexcitable children, too much food and with any luck, way too much wine.

Dec 24: we’re packed, wrapped and glass of wine in hand. Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas!