A Tale of 2 Scooters

Thank you Hurtland South and Grandma & Grandpa H! 

At first we got a zhu zhu hamster scooter (to continue the theme) that could be changed from 3 wheels to 2. Unfortunately, only 24 hours after opening, a wheel fell off mid-ride, so we traded scooter 1 in for pink flashing-light scooter 2--with un-removable wheels.

Thank You

Thanks to all our family for your part in making this a great Christmas, especially for Sophia and Alathea, who are thoroughly enjoying using their gifts!

Thanks for the dishes, Hurtland South!

 Thank you, Hurtland North!

 Thank You, Uncle Josh & family!

 

 

 Long johns to keep Daddy warm in our chilly flat.

 Even a present under the tree for Grandpa (from Clementine)...

 ...and Grandma (from Elijah)!

 Thank you, Aunt Chelsey & family!

 Thanks, Grandma & Grandpa H!

 

 Thanks, Grandma & Grandpa E!

Christmas Eve

Everyone's patience has a limit, particularly those of us aged 4 and under, so we broke with tradition this year and opened our stockings in the morning on Christmas Eve. Here's what was in the girls':

 

Zhu zhu hamsters, which Sophia decorated. This is my kind of pet--no feeding, exercising, or cleaning required, just the odd battery change.

 Unfortunately an emergency hamsterectomy was required early on, but all is well now.

 Alathea's new ballet slippers--for a girl who likes to put on shoes!

 New fuzzy felt accessories for Sophia

 

 Wes made his family's tradition, biscuit cookies.

 

 

 We attended the Christingle service at our church. Sophia is holding her Christingle. The orange reminds us that God made the world and gave us many good things to enjoy (represented by the sweets). Jesus is the light of the world (the candle), and the red ribbon reminds us that He came to die for our salvation.

 The Christingle's sweets kept Alathea gainfully employed.

 Both girls loved the puppet show, the second act at the Christingle service. Alathea liked them so much that when we returned for the Christmas day service, she kept asking where they were?

Walking home after church.

2½ Cooks in the Kitchen

How to Make Angel-Wing Cupcakes with Grandpa:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Early Present

Sophia opened this Christmas present from Aunt Chelsey (and family) early, as it seemed perfect for the five-day trip the girls and I will make to my parents' house tomorrow. It was a big hit! Thank you!

Panto

The 400 children from Sophia's primary school are going to our local theater Friday afternoon to watch this pantomime (if you're not from Britain/the Commonwealth and you want more info, click on the link). Pantomimes are silly versions of well-known stories traditionally put on at Christmas for audiences of all ages. I've only been once, many years ago, and it was definitely a cultural experience. 

Stay tuned for the 4.5 year-old's review...

"Mirror, mirror on the wall, which is the funniest panto of them all? We are proud that our pantos are the biggest, most traditional and best-loved in the South East region with over 40,000 delighted people joining for a magical Christmas year after year. With glittering costumes and sets, hilarious jokes, song and dance, lots of audience participation, make sure you don't miss the fun this Christmas."

Storytime

I love the fact that this was not a staged moment--and they actually carried on with what they were doing while I was filming (which often doesn't happen). It was for moments like this that I wanted my daughters to have a sibling.

 

Transcript: "Goodnight cow jumping over the moon. Goodnight light, and the red balloon. Goodnight bears; goodnight chairs. Goodnight kittens, and goodnight mittens. Mittens can't say goodnight--ahh-ha-ha-ha!

"It's broken."

"Y-e-a-h...yeah, you can't see the red balloon, can you? You can't see the red balloon."

"There's a mouse!"

Sophia the Sheep

When a child is preschool/primary school aged in the UK, putting on a Nativity play at Christmas seems to be a given. Parents and grandparents happily attend. Here's Sophia (a sheep, like the rest of her class) at hers:

Transcript: ...sheep won't stand still, running around on the hill, keeping all the shepherds busy, working 'til they feel quite dizzy! Work, work, work! ...sleepy head, come and see the newborn king, come and see the newborn king.

 Thanks for coming all the way from Luton, Grandma!

 

 

Brushing Up

Wes has been brushing up on his guitar playing skills lately, especially of Christmas carols, as he's finding music a helpful way to interact with residents in the care homes in which he's chaplain. He'll also play at upcoming carol services in some of the homes. 

'Tis the Season for Tartan (Plaid)