Christmas

We had a lovely Christmas (note the picture of the tree... we actually managed to get it up before Christmas Day but only on the 20th!!). Christmas really began then, then dad arrived on the 21st to loads of snow in most of the UK, but only a slight sprinkling here and then up the Theatre for drunken carol singing... what fun.

Then last minute shopping on the 23rd, Steve Sue and Jack staying for the night on route to Sue's Mum and dad up north and making mince pies and we were all set. Vincent and Jack were so sweet: hopefully Sue will have some photos.

We went to Maggie and Bill's open house on Christmas eve, getting back just before midnight to make sure Vincent was in bed so Father Christmas could come and visit him. This is the first year Vincent has really understood Christmas and was so excited. At the NCT Christmas party, he had asked the Father Christmas there for James the train (Vincent is obsessed with Thomas the Tank Engine) and knew that he had to be good ('stay in bed' and 'be nice to my Verity'). Anyway, Father Christmas did leave presents in sacks at the end of the their beds and we had a tearful Vincent in the morning who completely missed his sack of presents and thought Father Christmas hadn't come, but of course he had, and there was even a trail of snow from the downstairs chimney to prove it. How he knew that Vincent wanted loads of Thomas toys we will never know... he is just magic.

Then on Christmas Day we went to mass at 9am, then back for breakfast, then off to Linda and Dave's open house before coming back so I could get the dinner ready. After dinner we opened presents and watched The Gruffalo and Elf while waiting for the Holmes to come around for games about 10pm. We had lit a roaring fire in the big lounge and it all felt very Christmassy... and wait for it.....DAD PLAYED A GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have photographic evidence.... well, well, well....