This is what Christmas morning looked like

Christmas morning in our house

Baby slept soundly and woke just before 7 am (Mummy's Christmas wish was granted).
Feeding baby to the sound of big sisters above, desperate for the big hand to be at the top, so they could go downstairs and see if Father Christmas had been.
Excited thundering down the stairs, quickly followed by squeals of excitement and a request from the littlest big girl for help carrying her stocking back upstairs.
Contents of stockings being unwrapped on our bed and the sweets (hidden at the very bottom) being eaten.
Croissants for breakfast and nibbling some of that ham.
Daddy stuffing the turkey and getting it into the oven (kitchen already having been declared his territory for the day).
Three little girls busily setting up camp in their play tents, whilst I took up my position on the sofa and finished a mug of tea.
Happiness.

The girls like their new play tents, and have now taken them up to their attic bedroom. Although there has been a bit of protest/complaint about not them not being appropriate/big enough for sleeping in, I think they are going to have fun playing with them, so mission accomplished.

Mine are not rigidly the same as the instructions I used as inspiration - they are more than likely more flimsy and not built so well (see yesterday's post about drilling at silly times of the day). Not knowing whether or not they would just be a one day wonder or be destined to become the next big thing, I used the cheapest wood I could find in Wickes (grand total of cost being £10.58, plus fabric, as I already had the paint tester pots). Another alteration I made was to sew some two pence coins into the hems of the tents to weigh them down a bit.

The lady who wrote the instructions has four girls too - called True, Brave, Soul and Glow. Yes, those really are their names.

Meanwhile, the girls have all gone out for a country walk (baby in the rucksack for the first time) with Daddy, so I can enjoy a cup of tea in peace. And, as the Boxing Day TV offerings seem completely rubbish, I am going to do some crochet. Lovely.

Happy Christmas!

The Creative Itch

drilling bits of wood for this year's Christmas presents for the girls

Will I ever learn, I wonder. Sometimes, I get a flash of inspiration in my head about something, and before I know it, I have convinced myself it is a Truly Brilliant Idea. Depending on how strong the Creative Itch becomes, I will not rest until I have scratched it. It can lead me into situations that, to my poor husband, and other people who may happen to come into my path, are well, quite ridiculous. (Incidentally, the art of being a decent husband to someone suffering with a Creative Itch problem is to know the difference between when to indulge and say `Well done, darling, that's lovely' in response to finished projects, and when to gently call a halt to them by saying something like `Woman, are you insane?').

Like drilling bits of wood in the hallway whilst wearing one of my favourite skirts. In my defence, it was freezing cold and wet outside, and, as I was a mere half hour away from greeting my sewing class, I couldn't justify wasting time changing into old clothes.

Luckily, nothing went too badly wrong (if you ignore a couple of holes in the wrong places), and I managed to get the floor hoovered before people arrived. Just about. And, not without a large helping of grumpy crashing about as I cleared up and felt the effects of my entirely self-induced stress as time ran out before the possibility of the doorbell going and needing to answer it became a reality.

Today was the day I had said the girls could each invite a friend round to play. Believe it or not, I usually like doing this, as, providing I let each girl have a friend round, there are fewer arguments as they are really happy that they have their friends to play with.

But, along comes the Creative Itch and the desire to encourage them all to get stuck into making something. Let's all make Christmas crackers, I suggest. They all leap at the opportunity. And, I think they all had fun, and left the house clutching a (still soggy from too much PVA glue) cracker.

In my head, I am a cross between a Blue Peter presenter and Julie Andrews, who can handle the competing demands of half a dozen children all asking me to help them stick and tie things at once and break into song whilst doing so. The reality is that I am a idiot.  I will never learn that messy craft activities with small children normally only ever end one way, and that is, with me inwardly wanting to run from the room screaming (only to return when they have all gone home and the fairies have been and tidied up the mess) whilst trying to fake a calm tone of voice with the children I have invited to wreck my house for me.

Baking is another example. One child `helping' can be quite enjoyable. More than one child, rarely so. Now, baking on my own, with no time pressures or children passing wanting to join in is just bliss. Maybe next year I should reign in my Creative Itch, and pick my moments a bit more wisely.

Today though, I am off to bed happy - in part, because I have done several creative things. The girls' Mummy made present requests are complete; we've all got home made crackers to pull tomorrow (a first in our house), and, a final batch of mince pies have been made (and the mince meat is now all used up).

The husband is happy too. For the last week he has been obsessing about ham. He's asked just about everyone he has come across about difference between gammon and ham, and how best to cook a Christmas ham. Another first for our household.

And here it is, the reason we are only just going to bed (makes a nice change from me being the one holding up bedtime on Christmas Eve - my sewing was finished ahead of this ham).

Happy Christmas, everyone. I hope you have a great one!

Her first dolly

The week that has just gone has not been without its frustrations.

Two out of four children have had the sick bug.
Our anniversary meal was postponed.
My sewing class was cancelled when the sick bug returned.
The middle girl was too poorly to take part in her Christmas play.
An operation (to remove a disc from my back) was scheduled for the next day.
The logistical challenge of arranging child care for everyone at short notice was met. (Thank you, friends!)
My voice went.
Baby Charlotte is teething and feels miserable as a result.
As we were driving to the hospital, the operation was cancelled.
The operation was rescheduled for New Years' Eve. (Yes, I know how to party)
My head feels like it is stuffed with cotton wool.
Meal times continue to drag and feel like a form of torture.

But, tomorrow is the last day of term. Bring. It. On.

With just six sleeps to go (that is how the littlest big girl is understanding how long to go until the presents under the tree can be torn open), I have a finished Christmas project to show off.

A dolly for baby Charlotte to dribble over.

I hope she will one day love those little shoes as much as I do. They are my favourite part of the dolly. And we'll ignore the slightly stumpy looking legs. I am still new to crochet, and I realised too late that the extra stitch or two I had some how ended up with on the first leg did make a difference. Still, there is nothing wrong with a pair of legs that look robust enough to dig some potatoes with.

I started the dolly ages ago, while we were away in Seahouses. So, for me, it will always hold lots of nice memories of relaxing times by the seaside. I started making it almost as an after thought, once the actual project I had taken with me to do was finished. Yes, this poor little dolly was made out of left over wool - apart from her arms. I ran out of wool, and that is why the long delay in finishing her. And also the reason she is wearing leggings! I liked the making process so much that I almost don't mind if she doesn't get played with lots.

And look. I spy a star garland!

The middle girl was with me (off school sick, watching CBeebies on the sofa next to me) when I finished the dolly for Charlotte. She kept asking to cuddle her for a bit longer before I finally prised her off her and wrapped her up and put her under the tree. Would you like one, then, I asked. Big grin.

And so, that will be the Mummy made present for the middle girl. She doesn't mind it will be late, as we have agreed we will have a special shopping trip together to choose the wool for her hair and clothes. Phew. That buys me some time.

The littlest big girl would like a rucksack. A bit like the penguin one the biggest girl requested last year, only a rabbit. Not too hard, hopefully.

As for the biggest girl, well, she was impossible to pin down. It seemed she was well, too old to really want a Mummy made present. Gulp. Until, the suggestion of something involving these sparkly beads was dangled in front of her. Watch this space.

There are lots of lovely things to be enjoying around here at the moment. It is busy, but a good busy. And so, if I don't get chance to say `hello' here before Christmas is over, well, I hope you have a fabulous one.

And, if you haven't commented already, there is still some time to enter the purse competition. I'll extend the deadline and draw a name from a hat on Christmas Eve. My own wish is looking ever closer to coming true. Step one is now complete, in that baby Charlotte's all night milk bar has been closed for over a week. And, the customer is happy. Now we just need to clear our house of that bug, swap the cat for a mouse, and we will be just like The Night Before Christmas.

All I want for Christmas

All I want for Christmas is a night of unbroken sleep. Seven or eight hours would be amazing. But six would do.

Waking up on Christmas day, looking out at the morning sky and realising that was the first time I had opened my eyes since shutting them the previous night would be wonderful.

How about you?

Is there anything you are hoping for this Christmas?

As it is the season of good cheer, I am going to post out a little gift to one of my readers. To enter, just leave a comment at the end of this post, saying what you'd like for Christmas, and then click on the share icon at the bottom, to spread the word via Facebook or Twitter so more people can have a chance to enter. I'll pick a winner at random one week from today.

Because even grown ups deserve surprises, the gift will be wrapped up before being posted to the lucky winner. I am happy to post it internationally (it delights me when I look at the map on the blogger statistics and see loads of different countries showing up). Would you like a clue as to what your present will be? It has big colourful bobbles and opens and closes...

Happy Christmas, lovely readers!

Things that delight

Mince pies were the overriding theme of last week. (That, and trying to teach all three bigger girls all the words to The Twelve Days of Christmas, in a blatant bid to veer them away from that song which they still all frequently break into at the most embarrassing moments.) Anyhow, I made a LOT of mince pies - I gave some away, and ate more than I am willing to admit to, as well. 

And I made my Christmas cake. And it did not burn. This, is a thing to be pleased about. Especially after last year. 

Christmas cake - this year, Mary Berry's recipe is being trialled...

My best friend cannot abide any dried fruit. This, I just cannot understand, because I love it all. 

For Sang

Another highlight of the week was taking baby Charlotte swimming for the first time, and her absolutely loving the experience. Also lovely, was having the biggest littlest girl at her side, and seeing her pleasure at being the eldest during a remarkable outing. She is such a kind little girl - when not being wound up by big sisters or having a ridiculous Rumpelstiltskin stamping fit because she is tired, that is.

We enjoyed food with friends, too. Big roast pork. Delicious. 

The biggest girl turned to me one bedtime last week, and asked, "Are Father Christmas, the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny all the same people, Mummy?". Rumbled! She is now happily in on the grown ups' secret, and enjoying keeping it alive for the younger ones. I was surprisingly unmoved by her new found knowledge - quite pleased, if anything. Another sign she is growing up, and, as it brings with it so many lovely things - like a love for story writing and illustrating - I do not feel sad. 

biggest girl's notebook

She later admitted to me that one of the ways she enjoys winding her little sister up (the middle girl) is by telling her she is being cast as the character with messy hair (as above), or some other undesirable trait.

Bedford skyline

This was the sky the girls could see from their attic room one day last week. And later that day the weather was atrocious.

I have had a complete fail so far on making any Christmas presents for the girls. Tell a lie, I am pretty close to finishing the toy I have in mind for baby Charlotte. But for some reason, I am procrastinating over doing the last bit needed. Instead, my attention has been swayed by these little stars.

I saw them on Sandra's blog, Cherry Heart. It is full of inspiration, and I am not sure how she finds the time to make all the things she does. I often look at blogs and think to myself, `Oh yes, that will be nice to make one day...'. Erm, in my fantasy perception of how much time I have, that is.

The reality is that these stars may never make it into the pretty garland I think that will look gorgeous on my tree. And, that I will be making at least one of my children's presents on Christmas Eve. And also, that I will almost certainly fail to write all the Christmas cards I intend to write.

For me, the back continues to annoy. Thankfully no longer at crisis point, but there as a constant limiting factor. This means little time spent at my sewing machine, because sitting down triggers the pain. Long evenings of sewing are just not doable at the moment. But, on the bright side, the back issue forcing me to slow down has led to me adopting a slightly different mindset. No longer trying to be Super Mum has led to a happier, less stressful way of life for us all. Who knew. More time to just enjoy being a mum. And no one notices or cares about half the things I have let slip, such as the ironing and the kitchen floor not getting mopped in ages.

Okay little one, stop growing up so fast - you hear me?

People often give the impression they think either I am mad or Super Mum to have four children. I am neither - and I honestly think motherhood is a lot more enjoyable fourth time round. But then, maybe it has just taken me this long to ease into the role and appreciate all the fun there is to be had.

And finally, the today's triumph. The biggest girl and I have just made our very first Christmas wreath together. No real idea what we were doing, but I wrapped loads of wire round the soggy moss base I'd bought from the local florist for a couple of pounds, while she directed me on where to put things. Most of the things were either donated by my friend Sarah (I have her to thank for the chillies and limes) or foraged from the local park. I don't think that last act was illegal...

Roll on Christmas!

Thank you

Yesterday's Crafty Bring and Buy was a great success. And a lot of fun.

Here's a few pictures we took early on in the sale.

beautiful tree decorations

100 pretty cakes donated by lovely Saffron of Fancy cake shop in Bedford

three gorgeous parcels like this, from the author herself

perhaps there is hope for my garden next year, as I snapped one up for myself

an example of some of the awesome sewing that had gone on

made by Pamela

and the most fabulous looking nails I have seen in a long time!

The idea had started from a tea time conversation with my girls. I had been telling them about the desperate times being faced by the people of the Philippines as a result of the typhoon there. Seeing their faces as they started to grasp what was happening and what it meant for children like them, I wanted to show them it was possible for them to help change things for people the other side of the world to them.

Having seen an example of the kind of emergency shelters and provisions charities were putting together to help the people of the Philippines made homeless by the typhoon, the girls started to understand how their money could actually help. They liked the fact that charities were even thinking about details such a including little packs of colouring materials for children. That said, they admitted they didn't really fancy living in a tent.

And, I will admit that, more than once over the last few weeks when one or more of them has complained about the food I have put in front of them, I have gently (or sometimes not so gently) reminded them about the children in the Philippines. (Oh dear. I really am now a parent and no longer young myself. But I am positive I am not the only parent in the land to get exasperated by the repeated rudeness and lack of appreciation of their young food critics.)

Back to the sale.

Yesterday was a breeze to organise because tons of people came forward when I floated the idea, and I feel proud of my home town. It was a reminder that human beings on the whole are kind and compassionate.

So, tonight's tea time conversation with my little girls will go something like this.

We raised more than enough (£735) for one of the tents and other basic survival equipment to help a couple of families trying to survive after their homes had been swept away by the enormous storm. It isn't enough to help everyone, but there will be lots of other people all over the world also trying to do things to help. People in general are kind and want to help each other. And, when you get an idea about how you want to do something you think will help other people, go for it. You can make a difference.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. (Margaret Mead)

The night owl and the early bird

made by Sara

I am getting excited about tomorrow. And, I must remember to go to the cash point first, as the list of things I have spotted that have been donated that I would like to buy is increasing by the day. Like this angel and soldier, which have been lavished with hand stitched detailing, right down to the holly on the hat and the anchor tattoo on the arm of the angel. Simply brilliant.

They say the early bird catches the worm - just look at the reward for all those willing to get out of their beds early on a Saturday to come early to tomorrow's Bring and Buy. (Cue more excited Lola exclamations) 

painted by Kitty Dinners

made by Sam of Betsy Makes

My friend Anwyn came yesterday, and together we made these heart shaped tree decorations to sell at the Bring and Buy. They come in a range of textiles, from vintage paisley silk, upcycled wool and modern bright cotton prints. Fuelled by tea and chocolate brownies, the two of us stitched into the night, going at a speed undoubtedly slower due to all the gossiping we got done.

made by night owls

Plenty of people have promised to drop in throughout the day, armed with a hand crafted gift or two to donate, so there will hopefully be something to tempt buyers to come to Fancy whatever time they get out of bed at weekends. (I'm just jealous that, as a mum of young children, my days of lying in bed for hours on end on a Saturday are but a distant memory.)

Having checked the latest on the charity website, here is a reminder of why we are doing it:

• Typhoon Haiyan was 300 miles across when it struck the Philippines on 8th November and one of the most intense tropical storms in history.
• Millions of people have been affected, and hundreds of thousands have been left homeless.
• There are countless dead.
• Those who have survived now need urgent help including emergency shelter, clean water and food.
• The DEC has been working with lots of agencies already based in the different islands, making sure the money it receives goes to help the people who need it fast.
• 700,000 people have already been helped.

If you cannot come and join the fun tomorrow, but want to give, the Disasters Emergency Committee is an easy place to donate through.

Room on the Broom

My niece Caitlin is just brilliant. Anyone who'd like to argue with that can take it up with her proud aunty.

And, so, I shouldn't sound so surprised at the stunning Christmas present she (with a little help from her mum - also brilliant) for my little girls.

But remember, she is 13, and has owned a sewing machine for less than six months.

She made them a book bag, based around a book by one of their favourite authors, and a title which she knew they didn't yet have (thoughtful girl, my niece).

The bag was full of things she had made, aimed at bringing the story to life - plus a themed puzzle and some colouring for them to do, too.

I think the attention to detail Caitlin has taken throughout this project is just brilliant. The girls were absolutely thrilled when they delved into the bag, and it has been the present they have wanted to show off when friends have popped round to play.

I think the cat is my favourite!

Knowing how to grab the limelight, the central character of the witch is what they all fight over. Well, my girls do, at least. Other children seem to have slightly better manners in the task of sorting out the pecking order of who should be what.

They love wearing the hat and bow, and, waving the wand around in such a way that seems to ensure at least one out of the two other siblings gets accidentally whacked.

Oh, the frog. Maybe he's my favourite...

The dragon has been a huge hit with any boys that have come to the house. Which is also the point at which it all gets a bit noisy, as they break out into roaring contests.

So, a massive thank you to Caitlin for taking so much time to think up and make an utterly brilliant (there's that word again) present that we've all had fun with.

I may just be pinching your idea in the future. Or, commissioning you to make more...?

Play Town

Like the previous year, I limited my Christmas makes to one thing for each of my little girls. This time round though, I decided I would claim all creative credit for myself (rather than the elves), and let the girls flick through Oliver and S, Little Things to Sew, and choose something they'd like me to make for them.

Christmas morning - "Oh look! It's a monkey, Mummy!"

This turned out to be a lot of fun to make - and, if not for the fact it was made on Christmas Eve with obvious time constraints in place, I would have gone to town a bit more (ha, ha - get it) over this with a few extra buildings.

The cake shop we love

It was the request of the two youngest girls - and so, I took inspiration from some of their favourite places (and let's be honest, mine too).

The high point of their week is still going to the Arcade for sweets

Luckily for the girls, Father Christmas also shops at the old fashioned sweet shop in the Arcade in Bedford. Just as well, as sweetie necklaces were high up on their lists, so the tradition of their favourite sweets before breakfast on Christmas morning could live on.

The love of elephants goes on, and so I used the teeny tiny scraps I had left from a T shirt to make an elephant building. I had to hold my tongue when the intended recipient informed me in a very irritated voice that she didn't want the elephants to have an upstairs. Tough crowd to please, small children. Especially when they have very definitive ideas about how they want their imaginary elephants accommodated. A few sharp words were exchanged, and I think she is handling the disappointment and learning to be slightly more gracious about it.

"Hello, Mr Monkey!"

A monkey house - in honour of the car jumping monkeys at Woburn Safari Park. Wouldn't it be great if houses in real life could have Joel Dewberry designs all over the exteriors?!

Suggestions for additional buildings have already started coming in - including a Sainsburys, a school and a library. I think I'll wait and see how much this little lot gets played with first!

The houses came together pretty easily, though - even the cutting up of large foam blocks with the bread knife (which I had been dubious about) was fine. The play town is `such fun' to make. You can be as creative as you like over it, especially if you have young helpers making plenty of suggestions for you - the only real limit in my case being time!