Post-Christmas...

Well, the week before Christmas carried on being quite exhausting, so much so that I can't really remember it now! The weather was horrible - a really cold (freezing cold, -8 some days) snowy scene that lasted until well after Christmas. The Mazda rear doors would typically be frozen, so getting out was even more of an issue. Elizabeth was off nursery school that week, and we had a hectic evening schedule. The Sainsbury's delivery came on the Monday night, on the Tuesday night I made stollen and on the Wednesday night I went to Sainsburys to do the rest of the big shop, then on Thursday we had been due to see Nic and Bryony but called it off because of the snow. Husband went to the town centre instead to do last minute present buying.

Friday. Christmas Eve. Had a nice quiet day with the children having gone out with my Dad to collect the turkey and get brocolli from the co-op and tonic for Mum who had 'flu and had fallen down the stairs, culminating in watching the Muppets Christmas Carol while waiting for husband to arrive back from work. He was supposed to be back early, but in reality it was about 3.30pm, just in time for us to dash straight out to St Andrews for the crib service, arriving flustered and late, with Edward kicking off! It was anxiety-provoking to say the least having him scream the place down while thankfully Sarah slept on in the double buggy, all this after Elizabeth had a huge tantrum outside while I ploughed the buggy down the middle of the snowy street.

Hairwash night, so quick ready meal tea, time to leave the Christmas biscuit, bowl of water for Rudolph and Bailey's for Father C. out, then the children were whisked off to bed. Thankfully we'd done all wrapping etc, so I just had to prepare the vegetables and stuffing, find the frozen gravy out, then fill the stockings. Went to bed at a reasonable hour and had a reasonable night all in all!

Up at a reasonable time, had the children open their stockings in our bed, then got washed, dressed and ready for croissants and to see what he'd left under the tree. I started my military-precision meal preparation, topping up the steamer and myself with lots of glasses of water, and got the meal on the table for 1.03pm. Edward had his nap as usual after lunch and we watched the Queen, and some of Shrek, then they opened more presents and played until tea-time. After they were packed off to bed we dashed around washing up, cleaning and tidying before the family came over with more presents for drinks later, and a play of a new game (new for us that is) Mr and Mrs. After we'd got through the psychological hurdle of embracing a new game, it was slow making any sense of the instructions, but got the hang of it, and it was quite a fun evening in the end!

Boxing day saw me utterly exhausted, and crying lots. Felt quite ill and weak, think the whole run up to Christmas had taken its toll. We stayed home and had a quiet day, then on Monday went to in-laws for more presents, lots of craziness with children and their cousins, then Tuesday saw us at my parents for more craziness this time with mad dog and lots of aunts and uncles...

Wednesday I went wedding dress shopping with my sister and then took Sarah to her consultant appointment at the hospital. They still don't know what the spots are but are referring her for another clinic appointment next month. Thursday we went shopping, Friday (NYE) back to in-laws for repeat of Monday but without a meal, and then we had a quiet night, in bed by about 10pm. The weekend was also fairly quiet - shopping, out for a walk on New Year's Day in the 'new Mac Pac' for Edward - into Shifnal to the Co-op. On the Sunday I felt ill again, and another quiet day ensued. Took down decorations Sunday night, Monday spent going to the tip etc with all the Christmas rubbish. Tuesday husband back at work, Elizabeth back at nursery and here we are. Phew!!!