post-Christmas...

Husband had three weeks off for Christmas, but the 'run-up' was hectic, with two nativity plays, a visit to his Gran in Cannock, shopping for the 'nice bits' at Waitrose in Newport, and a meet up with friends at Pizza Hut...  Then came the 'mock Christmas' with my family on the Saturday, after we'd seen husband's sister and family the Sunday before.  Elizabeth was sick that morning, and spent the day in bed, sleeping.  Not the greatest start to the Christmas period!

After the 'mock Christmas' (buffet lunch, takeaway tea) we had in-laws around on the Sunday, then Monday was Christmas Eve.  We managed to walk around the corner to church for the crib service, then home for tea, and the stockings were duly hung up with a bowl of water for Rudolph and some ginger wine and a mince pie (after a day of baking - stollen and mince pies) for Father Christmas.

Christmas morning saw stockings opened after 8am (they all slept!!) in our room, then as the dinner got underway the 'tree presents' were gradually opened.  Sarah loved her 'kit'in' which was wrapped under the penguin blankets in the playroom.  Edward had an airport, and Elizabeth had a top/tights/skirt as requested, and dolls house furniture, a book, and various bits and pieces.  They both had 'Hex Bugs' which are now in quarantine because they keep getting lost - Sarah has lost hers!

After Christmas we had a gentler period where we stayed home and generally took things at a slower pace, but Edward got ill by the weekend, and Husband started the descent into 'flu on the Saturday.  Dave and Claire visited on the day before New Year's Eve, but that was the beginning of the end.  We had to cancel the birthday trip to the in-laws because husband was in bed ill, and he stayed there until the following weekend.  I honestly found it such a difficult time.  I was working over-time to keep up with all the washing, cleaning and cooking, and we had lots of rows because of (a) tiredness (b) illness and (c) my disbelief that he could really be that ill - really?  to warrant so much time in bed??!!  Lots of hastily looking up 'flu on the iPad and reading discussion threads on Mumsnet about recovery from 'flu and 'Am I being unreasonable to want to leave my husband over his 'flu?!'  Tired not the word.

The week after that Elizabeth returned to school, Edward returned to nursery the next day, and here we are on Wednesday with our new computer which arrived yesterday... husband at work today for the first time.  Edward watching Mr Maker, Sarah asleep, Charlotte asleep.  First time I've had to breathe and sit down and and catch up with myself in ages.

Now keen to get moving with making some money on E-Bay, researching career options, finding out about holidays (possible mobile home with Keycamp or similar in Brittany or similar??)... for now just content to have booked dentist appointments for us all.  Have made enquiries about Charlotte's christening, have got the nappies in the wash, and and the washing in the tumble dryer and the dishes done, been to the Co-op for the Weetabix and bin bags, oh the glamour!!