It's happened. The Christmas spirit has finally kicked in! At long last. As I said before, the planning and excitement (but not the shopping) usually starts in August for me, but this year has been a little late in coming. I think that getting Ofsted out of the way and a few other slightly stressful issues resolved has meant that I am now relaxed and festive.
Andy came home on Thursday with the tree, and actually had it sharpened at the base so it would fit in the holder. So this year I didn't cry or get in a strop. We never have the right saw and it takes hours to get the nobbles cut off, by which time the girls have got bored waiting and wandered off. Not this year though. It was up and decorated very swiftly. Bodie was most interested, but the only bauble casualty was as a result of his tail so the vintage ones have been moved higher up and the cheap modern ones are in dog range!
I was all set to write my cards last night with a quiet bottle of wine in front of the fire as Andy was on his Christmas do with work and I thought he'd be out late. I had the girls' best friends over for tea after school as their parents went to the races. They came back at about half 6, slightly the worse for wear and having won some money on several horses. Andy came home soon after so we all ended up having a curry and wine. We had a very jolly evening and the girls finally went to bed at about 10.30. As they were a tad grumpy today we had a quiet morning in followed by a walk on the hill (there were even a few flakes of snow, but nothing substantial).
I have ordered heaps of presents today on line and have planned the menus and ordered a Sainsburys shop to be delivered on Wednesday evening. I am going to do my cards tonight and a final present shop in town on Monday. I do believe I am getting there! Every year I panic and say I am going to start early next year, and every year I leave it to the last minute. However I am now buoyed up with the excitement of shopping and decorating, so there are benefits to leaving it for the last week or so.
I have also treated myself recently to goodies from fellow bloggers.
These delights are from The White Verandah (sorry it took so long to post the photo, Jess),
and this gorgeous mini bunting is from Lobster & Swan's inspirational blog. Sorry for the terrible photo - it's dark and I can't wait until morning!
Thanks for all your lovely comments by the way. I have added a bottle of Winter Pimms and some apple juice to the Sainsbury's shop (thanks for the tip, Jess!), so I'm looking forward to sampling that on Wednesday night (I may need it - my friend Sophie and I are taking our 4 girls out for dinner).
We are now snuggling down with one of Andy's chilli con carnes bubbling on the stove and Strictly Come Dancing on the telly (Grace and I are rooting for Gethin, but I do like Alesha too).
Hope you are all feeling festive and jolly.
Cathy XX