Happy Hogmany!

Just a quick one today...couldn't let the last day of 2009 pass without posting though! Getting ready for tonight's Hogmany party, have a few friends coming over with hubbies and kids - got a big Scalextric track set up in the living room, Take That Singstar in the family room and enough cocktail ingredients to see us well into 2010! Meeting Mum and Dad later to hand over Harry and Molly for the night then we'll join them for haggis, neeps and tatties tomorrow afternoon.

Got a wee surprise yesterday when a late Christmas present arrived from Paul...

...can't wait to start sewing! I love messing around with fabric and making bits and pieces and there are some lovely patterns in this book. It even comes with some fabric to make a cute bag to get me started!

Here's Molly today...

Off to get as much done for later as possible - really want to get going on the 365 Calendar Challenge...maybe once we're back from dropping the wee ones off. Speaking of the challenge, Kathryn who is running it has a giveaway on her blog to celebrate reaching 100 followers! Pop over to see the beautiful stamp she is giving away and leave a comment for a chance of winning!

So, enjoy yourself tonight wherever you are and whatever you're doing and hopefully see you all in 2010! xxx

What day is it?!?

The days are racing by...even though we're not doing much of anything! It's lovely though, not being tied to a schedule. We had a really nice Christmas Day, very relaxed and as we were going to my Mum and Dad's for Christmas dinner there was no cooking which was great! Here are some photos of how Christmas morning unfolded...

Stockings opened on our bed...

Waiting patiently on the stairs...

Lots of presents...

Everyone was very happy with what Santa brought...and Paul and I did pretty well too! Here's the pile of pressies for each other before we opened them...

...and here's Paul modeling the watch I got him...

...and the gorgeous pressies I got from him!

I love Christmas. I have a few friends who are a bit Bah Humbug about the whole thing but for me, it's my favourite time of year. Even with all the stress and preparation, there is no nicer feeling than all being together on Christmas morning and seeing the kids faces as they open their presents.

Here's Mini Wardrobe Remix for the last few days...she's been in jammies quite a bit so only a couple of pictures!

New coat from Granny and Granda (check the face!)

New outfit from Granny and Granda (SO cute!)

Christmas dinner was gorgeous and we had a lovely time with my folks and my Granny Ruby. My Dad couldn't get over how much Molly ate - we are so relieved she has her appetite back but even we were amazed at how much she put away, bless her!

We had a bit of a near miss on our arrival home though. The drive was so icy that the van slipped as Paul was reversing into the driveway and almost hit my car...very scary. Love the snow but not enjoying the slight thawing and then sudden re-icing that's happening just now!

Now, onto some crafty things...just for a change!

The materials used to make this gorgeous mini-book can be won! All you have to do is visit Tracie's blog - The life and times of a 12x12 addict and follow the instructions. Isn't it gorgeous?!? Fingers crossed!

Finally, have decided to take part in long term challenge that Kathryn is running on her blog - The Kathryn Wheel. It's a 365 day calendar challenge where you record an event each day throughout the year. Have got as far as finding a suitable book and getting some materials ready but hoping to start proper tomorrow! Wish me luck!

Have a Happy Hogmany whatever you're doing and wishing you all the very best in 2010!

Twas the Night Before Christmas...

I love this time on Christmas Eve. Everything's done, house is peaceful and it's time to snuggle up and have a glass of wine on the sofa...bliss. Speaking of which - here is another bottle worth a mention...

Because Ellie's in the opposite cast from the last 2 years, her final Panto performance of the season was this afternoon instead of tonight which was lovely as she got to be part of our evening too. We went along to see her at the matinee performance with a load of friends and their kids then all went out for dinner to the Italian afterwards - manic, noisy, but a right laugh! Paul stayed home with Molly and James as they both have the pox now...but came down for the meal with Molly while his Dad sat with Jamie-cakes. Poor boy is COVERED in spots and is being driven mad with the itching. We're going through Calamine Cream at an alarming rate! Molly's spots are far less obvious and she's actually better now they're out than she has been all week - she's eating for Scotland all of a sudden which is a relief as she's been off her food completely. Here's James getting lots of cuddles and sympathy yesterday...

The best thing about having Ellie home tonight was that I was able to read them all the story we read every Christmas Eve - Clement C Moore's The Night Before Christmas. We bought the book before Ellie's 1st Christmas and it's been read each year ever since. We love the book and the illustrations and once we've finished, Santa's snacks are put out on a plate and it's bedtime! There hasn't been a peep out of them since they went to bed - Santa's watching!!!

So, have a lovely time - I hope you get all you wish for and spend the day with the ones you love. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night! xxx

Let it Snow!

Is it really 11 days since I blogged?!? Was doing really well too...never mind - it has, as always been busy over the last week and a half, but this week is about winding down and doing the last few little bits for the big day! Lots of pictures to post...here goes!

We were later getting our tree this year and we couldn't get a day when everyone was free so we could all choose one together...so off we went to Hoodles in Oldmeldrum with Harry and Molly last Saturday to select a tree. We got a good one...

...so good in fact that it came with a free mouse!!! Paul discovered the wee beastie on the Saturday night when I was at the Toddler Mum's night out. I freaked out initially (the house felt violated!?!) but once I had calmed down we decided to set humane traps on Sunday night and the tiny little brown mouse (which Ellie named Morris) was set free at the side of the A96 on Monday morning. Have left the traps down but no more moosies so we reckon it definitely came in with the Christmas tree!

Here it is all decorated...couldn't find the Nikon at the time so the photo's not great. Will take more of the rest of the decs when I get a minute.

Last week brought the first snowfall of the season...just enough to make everything look Christmassy but not enough to bring Aberdeenshire to a standstill - unlike today where it seems to be bedlam everywhere! Much heavier now and our street's not been ploughed - not going anywhere today - definitely a pyjama day especially since James now has the chickenpox!

Got all the last orders for Cupcakes and Kisses completed by Thursday night which was a huge weight off... Here's the very last things that I painted. Two little hearts with polka dots.

Friday was the North Street Toddlers Christmas party. Kids had a great time and it also marked the end of the 6 month term for the current committee which I was part of. It was a packed 6 months and we made a lot of changes and organised lots of events which - according to what we've heard back - have enhanced the group and the children's experience of Toddlers. The rest of the committee are a great bunch of girls and we had a real laugh in the process. Will miss our meetings but it will be nice to go back to being a 'normal Mum' on a Friday morning!

Here's Harry getting his parcel from Santa. Chickenpox almost gone...

And here's Molly with her tutu - on a tractor. She truly is a country quine!

Had Wendy and Co. down from Inverness for the weekend which was fab. The kids all settled surprisingly quickly at bedtime which left us free for wine and chatting - two of our favourite things! Went to see Ellie in the local panto the next afternoon with a couple of other friends and their kids...but not before we all swapped presents! Here's James and Molly with theirs...

Finally a catch up Mini Wardrobe Remix...

Off to have a cup of tea and wrap Paul's presents - only 3 sleeps to go!!!

Spotty McDotty...

Harry has Chickenpox. He is covered head to toe (and everything inbetween) - has quite a few in his mouth which is making it difficult to eat (not that he has much of an appetite) and in his ears so his hearing aids are hurting. On the upside, have spent lots of time in the house and have got lots done over the past few days...

Made 12 wristbands with bells for the school play. Tried to buy 6 red t-shirts for the elves to wear under their green costumes. Could only get white and couldn't be bothered dyeing them so instead made them these for a bit of colour...had to get Paul to help me in the end as my fingers were aching after sewing 3 sets - dyeing them would have been WAY easier. Hindsight is a wonderful thing...

School show premiered on Tuesday - hooray! I went in to help dress the Nursery children - it was hilarious...highlights included a stroppy angel, a sheep with the snottiest nose ever and a boy elf who was seriously unimpressed with wearing bright green tights! Stayed to watch a wee bit but went back last night with Paul to see our boy as Santa...

Everything went really well, costumes looked fab, backdrop was great and the kids were all little stars.

This is the best bit of the last few days though - new storage in my (very) wee study!!! It arrived at Kirsti's on Tuesday, Paul picked it up Wednesday and it was up on Thursday night - not bad, eh? It has cleared so much space...I lurve it...

It holds loads and there's still room on the wall for another one. It was only about £40 - best money ever spent! It came from Craft Racks and they have loads of storage solutions. Will definitely be going back for more!

Anyone who knows me knows I love the odd glass of wine now and again...these 2 are worth a mention for the labels (and names) alone.

Innocent Bystander - sipping it right now - it's gorgeous...and thought the label was quite Tim Holtzy...

And...Ladies Who Shoot Their Lunch - how fab is that name?!? It too is gorgeous - and went very well with the Mackies Haggis crisps last night!!!

Finally, before I go and enjoy the hot bath that's waiting - today's (mini) Wardrobe Remix...she's growing so fast we're running out of clothes! Dear Santa...

Too cute.

Doh! Just realised that I didn't blog the lovely package that arrived last week thanks to the lovely Emmi at Art From The Heart. Thank-you!