Erin’s second advent present was a red cushion with a cute little face, it has a sound element that sounds like a chuckle straight from a horror movie. Erin seems to like it 
Our Christmas Day routine will go something like this (until, of course, it doesn’t, and chaos ensues…)
7.30ish Erin will wake up looking for her milk
7.35 I will wake up and wonder if I can put her off for five minutes
7.40 Erin’s noises will escalate from gurgling to full blown shouting
7.45 I will ‘come too’ and realise that it’s Christmas Day and get excited
7.46 I will ’spring out’ of bed (after nudging Alex, to wake)
7.47 Nudge Alex again and threaten to remove duvet…
7.48 Heat Erin’s milk, and go and say morning to her
7.50 Take her through to our room, Alex will probably feed her (I will try not to fall asleep)
8.05 Move through to livingroom to see what Santa has left
8.10 Empty stocking first, move onto presents, get strong coffee
9.30 Take a break, give Erin weetabix and put down for nap
9.35 Alex will cook breakfast for us
9.50 House will be smokey and kitchen will look like a 4-course meal has been prepared. Breakfast will taste nice
10.15 Quickly clean kitchen before Erin wakes
10.30 Play with toys for a while before getting dressed
12.00ish Drive over to Mother in laws’
12.15 Be greeted (jumped on) by dog and family members
12.16 Erin will be passed around and when the music stops (!) will chill out in her high seat for a while (I’m hoping)
12.30 Give our presents to the family and open ours
1.00 Be offered a cup of coffee, accept and slyly slip some Tia Maria in it
1.15 Be calm after sly shot of Tia Maria
1.30 Shit! Remember that Erin should have had some lunch, act like good parent and tell Alex to prepare something 
2.00 Be tired after late night, early morning and drinking in the afternoon. Doze off for 5 minutes.
2.05 Text friends to say Merry Christmas
2.20 Help prepare dinner (I’m on the prawn cocktails)
3.05 Wish that Erin would have short nap to freshen up, accept she won’t and have another tia maria
4.00 (or thereabouts) Sit down for dinner
5.00 Help with clearing up
5.30 Give Erin a bath and start settling her for bed
6.30 Spend evening playing games and having a drink
Photos from Flickr
Stockings - Katybeck
Present - Lemonad
Breakfast - AugustusGloop
Tyre Tracks - Danorak
Socks - Old Shoe Woman
Turkey - roel
Tia Maria - tallmariah
Here is a post that provides 13 ideas for gifts your kids can make this year. This is a great way to focus your kids on the enjoyment of giving as well as receiving.
Checkered tea towels for the shepherds, tinsle on wire for halos and a bed sheet with mocked up wings for the angel and some poor wee soul as the donkeys bum
Ring any bells?
I was the angel gabriel in mine by the way….what were you?
Photo by flickr user deeleea
Christmas carols and jingles are what really start to get me into the christmas spirit at around the beginning of December.
M is also for Mince Pies, check out the recipe - not that partial myself
Photo by Flickr user Matt Browne
Perhaps not on Christmas Day, or Boxing Day for that matter, but certainly during the time between Boxing Day and New Years Eve.
I consider this 5 day period a no mans land in time form.
A time where usual routines are shyed away from and a certain level of organised chaos prevails (as a child) as an adult, a wife and now a parent it’s very much a time of reflection.
Reflecting on
Health
My own health (this post was delayed by a short hospital stay for crohn’s), the health of my family. Should we try to eat healthier? Cut down on take aways? Exercise more…
Family
Did they have a good year? Am I being a good wife, mother etc… Could I do more? Could I do better?
Finance
Thoughts about the years’ expenditures. Looking at what we have to show for the years’ work. Should we save more? Is this year a good time to invest in a larger house or should we stay put and enjoy the extra money?
Achievements
What did I achieve, was it enough, what’s the target for next year… What did Erin achieve, what can I help her to achieve next year?
After all the reflection I’m left with answers. Resolutions for the following year, a domestic business plan if you like, is formed. On New Years Eve I feel fresh, rejuvenated and ready to begin implementing the New Year’s plans.
For some, Christmas is predominantly about Jesus and religion. For those of us who aren’t particularly religious it’s all about the kids. Christmas without kids is like…uhhh…..christmas dinner without crackers. Still nice, but not nearly as much fun!
This photo should have been with this post, but I’m a bit behind
As you can see Erin is really enjoying Baby Barney.
Christmas Day without bad cracker jokes? Never.
What do you get when you cross a cowboy with a squid?
Billy the squid!
Photo by flickr user monodot
