thegravelings: December 2015

Christmas and Birthday 2015

The weather on Christmas Eve was dreadful,pouring with rain and blowing a gale. We went out for lunch at a place that had an outdoor rink but it was just too wet for skating. It did stop for a while and we managed to get to the Christingle Service without getting soaked

It was a very strange affair and made us think that the chap taking the service perhaps wasn't really up to the job. We chose our own hymns and the service itself was a bit shambolic to say the least. However, Madelyn enjoyed it and when everyone had their candles lit it did feel very Christmassy.

It was busier than it looked

There was some concern that Rudolf wouldn't know where to stop as there was no snow for him to stand on. Pretend snow to the rescue! She was fascinated by the whole process

Tip it in

Give it a squish

Add water,give it a stir and hey presto, snow!!

Lucky old Rudolf also had some extremely glittery food.

It was all set out for him on this lovely tray.What more could Santa ask for???

Great excitement next day. Santa had been very generous and as per Graveling family tradition,

it all got spread out on the floor for all to see.

Of course, it is also this lovely little dots birthday.

Here she is excitedly waiting to open her cards and birthday presents.

Lots of cards and presents.

Modelling her new Frozen dressing gown

Opening presents with daddy

After she had opened her birthday presents we all got dressed and it was time to start on Christmas prezzies

Another Jelly cat. it's an owl but she did give it a complicated name which I can't remember
A Frozen onesie

The favourite toy of the day was a singing Elsa. Her dress lit up and Madelyn absolutely loved her. It was a bit like karaoke. The doll sang, but when Madelyn got close with the microphone the doll stops and all you can her is little dot singing her heart out.

Beautiful little Christmas fairy

A big hit was this Play doh set. I remember them from years ago when the girls had them. Little bits of Play doh get dried up in the heads of the dolls and it eventually all goes a bit Pete Tong

We went out for a breath of air on Boxing Day. It was stupidly muddy and dull, but good to get out.

When we came back we had birthday cake

and Madelyn blew out her candles.

They were sparkler types which she was excited about.

Of course, the biggest problem with having a birthday on Christmas Day is that you will never get to have a party on your actual birthday. Family to the rescue!!

We played musical dress up. Basically put on as much old tat as you can before the music starts, silly but far less strenuous than musical bumps which was her first choice.

Disney CD. Someone knows the words

Mummy being silly and wearing the bag.

Madelyn has got a little cornet on loan from the band Andy plays in.

She absolutely loves playing it

Jo and Andy have also bought her a little Trombone.

She loved playing with Andy and although she cannot read music she can follow a tune she knows and make sounds just by the way she blows rather than actually "playing"

Highlight of the day was an impromptu concert. John, Andy's dad ,can also play so we had a three generation trio.

She always finished her little bit with a sliding fanfare.

Take the floor Maestro.

Another awful wet day so what better to do than play with the wi. Id forgotten how hard it is

Needless to say Madelyn thought it was brilliant

We went to Leeds Castle today and met up with Nick and the kids. The weather wasn't brilliant but most of the morning was dry if a tads windy. We went into the castle which looked lovely all decorated for Christmas. We also had a quick walk around the Christmas market, but there wasn't much there for the kids to be interested in.

Just a little bit nervous about the swans

They were very taken with this beautiful black swan and cygnet

Phoebe trying to coax it nearer

Into the castle to begin the musical instrument trail. They all had a sheet with clues and had to find musical instruments and paper cut outs of recorders in the rooms. It was quite hard, they had been well hidden.

Beautiful trees

They were all so huge I had trouble getting them all in the photo.

Every room had a huge tree and the theme for them all was " musical instruments"

The theme for this one was gorgeous girl!

Most of the rooms had a beautiful paper cut out display. They were depicting carols but we didn't realise that until we got to the last one. I got some photos but unfortunately they aren't very clear

Hark the Hreald Angels Sing