They've gone! The Ofsted inspectors have packed their briefcases and moved on. It was a very stressful experience for all involved but we did really well and can relax now in time for the end of term. Everyone put so much work and time in to preparing over the weekend and were absolutely exhausted by the end of the day. Still, that's it done and dusted for the next 3 or 4 years. It is such a lovely school and I am proud to be a part of it and am thrilled that my children are getting such a great school experience.
So, not much else to report as I haven't had time to write christmas cards, buy presents, make presents,make puddings, decorate the house etc. Still, I have been tagged for the first time ever, by linaloo, so here goes. 8 interesting (?) Christmassy things about me.
1. Mulled wine is my favourite drink in Winter (Pimms in Summer), but Andy isn't keen so we don't have it often enough. I have decided to buy some of the ready made bottles of it this year and just heat it up for myself.
2. I have a secret love of tacky Christmas lights - particularly outside ones. Every year we drive around the hot spots of Cheltenham looking for the best ones armed with popcorn and a flask of hot chocolate.
3. I start planning Christmas things in August, but only in my head.
4. Andy hates the build up to Christmas, so much so that his office brought in a huge bag of decorations in November to decorate his desk with whilst he was at a meeting. For someone who loves Christmas so much it can be frustrating being married to a Noelophobe. (He does love the day itself though).
5. Sprouts are my favourite vegetable. I am so pleased that this year we will be eating our own grown sprouts from the allotment as I have never had success with them before.
6. The Christmas present that most stands out for me from my childhood was a Sindy dresser with candlesticks, knives and forks, wine glasses etc that I got from Father Christmas. I woke up as my parents were going to bed and thought they were getting up so I started opening my stocking, and was so disappointed when my Mum made me go back to sleep!
7. In The Bleak Midwinter is my favourite Christmas carol, despite it being melancholy.
8. I could eat Christmas food all year round - I love Christmas cake, Christmas pudding, mince pies, cranberry sauce, bread sauce, brandy sauce - everything in fact that you only get at Christmas. My mum and dad used to get me a Christmas cake for my birthday cake as I love it so much.
So, there you go. My first tagging. Not hugely exciting for you all I'm sure, but it has served to make me feel more Christmassy, so thank you Linaloo. I don't know who else to tag - most people already seem to have been tagged, so I will leave it up to you to join in if you wish.
I will aim to do a more exciting post in the next few days - hopefully once our tree is up. I can also show you the photo of the gorgeous things I bought from The White Verandah, a lovely blog and new online shop. I have actually taken the photo but haven't the energy to download it tonight (sorry Jess). Once post-Ofsted fatigue has worn off I shall be back on top blogging form!
Cathy XX