And that was Christmas....

(Miss Moo Moo takes her turn to stir the fruit mince and makes her christmas wish)

Christmas is over for another year.

I hope that you and your loved ones have had a happy Christmas. We have been having a lovely time over the last week, eating way to much food and drinking a little bit more wine and coffee than my body is used to.

We are having a lot fun with our extended family, but this time of year can also be very exhausting. I must remember that this time is a holiday and make some time to rest.

More family are arriving tonight and will join us to celebrate New Year's Eve at our place. I am looking forward to catching up with some special people I have not seen for a while.

No photos of Christmas this year. Santa did not give me a new camera for Christmas (even though I had hinted) However as fate would have it, our camera officially died on Christmas morning. I braved the crowds yesterday to buy a little cheapie to get me by until I can really work out want I want from a new (more expensive) camera. But lucky for me little cheapies seem to have come a long way in the last five years. I can't wait to play around with it.

Wishing you all a Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas

I just want to wish all of my lovely readers a Merry Christmas and a happy and safe holiday season.

I hope that your day is merry and bright.

We are going to a family Christmas Eve gathering tonight...

Let the festivities begin!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

The tree is trimmed, the twinkle lights are hung; on the tree, on the house, in the garden. The stockings are hung. The Christmas bunting is hung. The countdown calender is hung and our countdown candles are being lit.



The rums balls, the cherry ripe slice, the Christmas cake and Christmas cookies have been baked. The panettone and stollen have been bought. The jelly and custard for the trifle have been made. The mangoes and cherries and watermelon have been bought.



The presents have all been wrapped. The Christmas carols have been playing. We have watched Christmas dvd's at rest time and read Christmas stories before bed. I have been flicking through Christmas issue magazine's over breakfast. We have been Christmas drawing, Christmas colouring in and Christmas crafting.



We have attended Christmas break-up parties, Christmas carol concerts and Grandma's church Christmas pageant



Tomorrow, I will make my trifle, tiramisu and a white chocolate cheesecake in the morning. In the afternoon we will decorate our gingerbread house.

We are ready.

Two more sleeps.

"Christmas is a time of giving"

I am absolutely loving this little vintage book that the elves delivered as one of the countdown calender presents this year.

Well actually.... I had seen it here last year and found a copy on Etsy. This copy is in immaculate condition, like it has never been read.

Not only do I love (love!) the illustrations of this book, but it captures the very essence of Christmas for me. While we do not have snow or sleigh rides or village carollers in Australia. This book gives a real sense of Christmas being a special family time of togetherness. That is Christmas to me.



'Christmas is a time of giving.

It's a time of wrapping gifts

and making cookies'



'A time of presents tucked in secret places...

and of children waiting'



'Christmas is a time of family...

and good friends meeting once again.'



'For some people, Christmas is a time of remembering...

remembering other happy days

filled with laughing voices...

and other treasured times, now past.'



'Christmas is a time of giving...

a time of hope...

a time of joy.'

Thank-you Sarah for sharing this lovely find and giving the details of this book on your blog. Another fantastic book discovered through the blogging community. The author is Joan Walsh Anglund if any body else is interested in seeking it out.

From the UK with love

Yesterday afternoon I discovered a lovely surprise sitting at the front door, it had been delivered the day before and missed. An unexpected parcel from an old family friend in England. Oh my, what goodness!

I have a soft spot for the UK (you may have read here) I can often be found checking out the cute British wares at this webshop. But here was our very own special bundle of UK love.



For the children. We love these Katie books, have you seen them? We have not seen this one before. There was lots of excitement.



This beautiful enamel plate is a copy of a 16th century porcelain design. So pretty. Perfect for biscuits, the next time someone comes to tea.



And this gorgeous library bag. Lined in pink (yay) for extra strength. Screenprinted, embroidered and sequins. This mummy is one happy lady. I was desperate for a new library bag. Things really aren't the same when you carry your borrowed books around in a Coles green bag!

I have bought most of my own Christmas presents this year (have you?) I am really happy with the loveliness that awaits me on Christmas morning. But there really is something to be said for surprises.

Happy 40th Birthday

Today a very special person in my life turns 40.

This person is like a sister. Somebody I couldn't live without.

This person has been by my side, guiding me through every part of my life. At every age, no matter how close or far apart we live.

This person gives me the strength to be the person that I want to be.

This person inspires me, constantly.

This person is always there to listen, even if she has heard it all before.

This person make me laughs. Oh, the stories I could tell!

She is the most wonderful mother, wife, friend.

I just want to be near her all of the time. Her energy is pure love.



I wish that I could be with you today, on your special day.

But I know that where you are, you are loved and hopefully being spoilt - just a little bit.

I shout it out to the world - Happy Birthday. I love you.

(these pictures are lobster and swan images from here and here)

Christmas crafting? I don't think so

I was planning an afternoon of Christmas crafting today.

But instead I have spent the last 2 hours hand picking nits from my son's hair! It seems like the tooth fairy is not the only thing making it's 'first ever' appearance in our house this week.

I have been dreading this day and thought that we had got through another year head lice free. I knew that there had been head lice in class and with all of the last day hugging and goodbyes, a rogue louse has jumped onto Spunky Monkey's head. Of course two days later - eggs have been laid!

I'm off now to wash bedding and lounge cushions in hot water. I would be grateful for any home remedy tips if you have any.

The tooth fairy has been

I made my son's tooth pillow about two years ago. I was happy that he was finally able to use it.

He carefully wrapped his tooth in a tissue and tucked it gently into the pocket.

Before turning out the lamplight we pulled the 'tooth fairy poem' from the small pocket to read. There was wonder in his sleepy eyes. He tucked his tooth pillow under his arm and was asleep in minutes.


In the morning he jumped into our bed excitedly (and very early) The tooth fairy had been, not only had she left golden money but...... a tiny stone turtle. Spunky Monkey is rock crazy. He was beside himself with happiness.

This beautiful idea of a keepsake stone and this poem came from Ella's lovely blog. I am glad that I went out and bought 10 little stone beads and hid them away ready for this day. Some are carved animals and some are plain, the idea is to eventually thread them all together and hang them up like this (but stones instead of crystals).

Here is the poem that is tucked into the pocket of Spunky Monkey's tooth pillow.

Calling all Tooth Fairies

This night it is a special night
As fairies dance upon the roof.
All the fairies must alight,
For _____ just lost a tooth!

The Fairy Queen gives her commands-
Twelve bright fairies must join hands
Then together in a circle stands
To guard _____ while he sleeps.

The Tooth Fairy into the circle leaps
The hidden tooth she borrows
Ah, but has far to go
Before returning tomorrow.

Three times around the world she flies
Over valleys deep and mountains high;
Skirts the storm clouds thick with thunder,
Wings over waves all wild with wonder.

Deep within their earthly homes
Finally she finds the gnomes,
Who upon the tooth must work
Never once their magic shirk.

Some are hammering, hammering, hammering,
Some the bellows blow
Others sweat at the sweltering forge
And then cry out, “Heigh Ho!”

The tooth’s been turned to a shining stone,
A glimmering, glowing gem
The Tooth Fairy takes the gnomes’ good gift,
And bows to all of them.

She returns to ____ bed,
Before the sun’s first rays are shown,
Places the gift beneath his head.
And then - - - away she’s flown!

Elves and the TOOTH FAIRY

In the mist of all of the Christmas craziness.

We have lost a tooth!!!

Well, not we - Spunky Monkey. At six and three quarters he has lost his first tooth while eating a candy cane. Their is much excitement in the house.

So tonight, not only we will have the elves (who sneak about in the wee hours delivering special countdown calender presents) but the tooth fairy will be coming as well.

There will be much scurrying on felted feet and the soft flutter of gossamer wings to fill the darkened hall as we sleep.

Magic.

Rum balls - A family tradition

When I left home at 17, I took my mother's rum ball recipe with me.

I have made them every Christmas since. No matter where I have lived in the world, I have shared these rum balls with friends, teachers, work colleagues and family.







But making rums balls has never been as fun as it has been this Christmas. My children are so eager to help and take on a tradition that they know so well.

Miss Moo Moo practically made this first batch of mixture by herself.



After school the kids rolled them. Yay! finally, there is someone else to roll them.

I have many memories of sitting on the floor watching old movies by the light of a twinkling Christmas tree. Late. Exhausted. Rolling, rolling, rolling. Always leaving things to the night before. Rolling so I could have the rum balls made and ready to share the following day.



I may have some helpers now, but not much has changed. We made our third batch of rum balls yesterday afternoon, ready to be given out for our teachers gifts today.



I wish I could have bottled this moment. My children with their crafted Christmas crowns upon their heads. Rolling, rolling rolling. The carols were loud, LOUD. There was coconut everywhere.

The laughter was infectious!

No, making rums balls has never, ever been this much fun.

Candy Canes

Candy canes are all the rage again this year at Spunky Monkey's school. There was no way Miss Moo Moo was missing out on all of the fun. Today I made her, her own "Santa's Little Helper" bag to take to Kindy.

This afternoon they have happily filled their bags full of candy canes (tasting one or two) ready to give out to their friends tomorrow.

Oh the fun! The last day of school!

You can read here, about the one I made for my son last year and how I made it.

An apple for the teacher?

No, there will be no apples for the teacher this year.





Yesterday afternoon we painted cups to give as 'end of year' gifts to the extraordinary teachers that we have had this year.

This was my son's idea. I love having my little ideas man around, it really does take some of the pressure off at this time of year.

We used some glass paints that I have had in the cupboard for years and never used and these markers. (I bought mine from Spotlight) I had first seen these markers used on tiny happy's blog and bought them a few months ago. Again, I had never used them.



Miss Moo Moo wanted colour and fanfare.





While Spunky Monkey kept with his preferred minimalist look.

We had so much fun doing this. The first chance we get, we are off to the op shop for some cheap white china. It is the perfect holiday activity and I can't wait to see what we come up with. I'm already thinking about some Christmas morning cups and plates using the red marker.

What are you giving out as 'end of year' gifts this year?

Christmas carols and growing up

(image from here)

Last night we went to our local Carols by Candlelight.

It was a lovely community event that reminded me of the Christmas Street Carnivals that I went to as a child. A sausage sizzle and rides. Tea, coffee and homemade biscuits from the ladies at the local church. Friends and glow sticks and Santa. Christmas carols and fireworks.

But something happened at the end of the night that left me feeling a little strange.

Just for a moment.

My six year old, Spunky Monkey was happily running around with his friends. I had forgotten to tell him that there would be fireworks. When it was announced over the loud speaker, I watched him, (we were sitting about 10 meters away) he jumped excitedly into the air, screaming out with his friends.

I had expected him to come running. Running to me. To sit on my lap and watch the fireworks, with his hands over his ears. Just as he had done last year and the year before that. Just as Miss Moo Moo was doing.

But he didn't come. He and his friends just dropped down where they had been playing and joined in the countdown to the first firecracker BOOM. For the first five minutes, I watched him, not the sky. He watched the fireworks. His face smiling broadly, full of excitement.

I was totally unprepared for this independence.

I know that this is a good thing, but secretly (selfishly) I was devastated. He is ready, so I too, must be ready. I took a deep breath. He was fine, he was safe, he was happy. I snuggled into Miss Moo Moo and enjoyed our time watching the fireworks together, realising that this may the last time that I will watch the fireworks this way with her.

As most of you reading know, some days as a parent are hard: tired kids days, sick kids days, unreasonable kids days. But days like this, days when you must let go, even just a little bit; are the hardest.

Soulepapa wrote a beautiful post about this very thing recently. You can read it here.

Enjoying the festive season

We are really enjoying the festive season around here.

This is what we ate for lunch today. Just us. Just because. We were feeling relaxed and festive. It was a nice change from a quick cheese sandwich.

The kids loved it.

O Christmas Tree

I believe that the silly season has begun.







This morning (bright and early) we put up our Christmas tree.

We always put up our tree on December first.



This year it is Spunky Monkey's turn to hang the Christmas angel on the top of the tree. Miss Moo Moo will be the first to turn on the Christmas lights tonight.

We always alternate these special traditions between the children each year.



We will decorate the tree after dinner tonight.

We always decorate our tree on December first.



This afternoon we made the first batch of rums balls for the season.

We always have sweet Christmas treats when decorating our tree.



I have a new Christmas Carols CD to play later.

We always play our Christmas carols loud while decorating our tree.

How about you? Are you getting christmassy in your house today too?

What traditions are special to your family?