Christmas Time, Mistletoe and Vom...

Evening all! Before I showcase my cherry tree treasures, it's time for an update. And maybe the above picture which hangs in our hallway should actually say: Chaotic Life at the Seaside...

What do you want to hear about first? How I did my back in last Saturday and have been hobbling and bent over like an old woman? How I was in so much pain on Saturday afternoon I thought I would be sick? How I am getting through more frozen peas than David Haye on a trolley dash at Iceland?

Or what about how we had to endure a disastrous 2.5 hours to Stratford Upon Avon on Sunday for Christmas dinner with the inlaws (Stratford is about half way). Probably the WORST day to travel when one is so ill with chronic lower back pain. My leg was numb and I had pins and needles in my right buttock (TMI but I was seriously bad when we set off).

To make things worse, we were an hour into our journey when the Prince decided to projectile vomit all over every single garment he was wearing, as well as the floor. Marvellous. Utter precision.

Cue The Husband, frantically trying to pull over on a busy dual carriageway, and me desperately trying to get out of the car to drag the kid out before he carried on. But realising I couldn't even lift my leg out of the car. Or bend over to get him out of the car seat.

So I started crying (from the pain and frustration). The Princess started crying (she has a sickness phobia and was freaked) and the Prince chundered some more. Then he started crying. All Cried Out? Alison Moyet, you have nothing on us, believe me.

We entered the pub and felt fraught, stressed and sick of the journey we'd had (if you'll pardon the pun). We carried the Prince inside, wearing a small pair of red Mickey Mouse pants, a scarf wrapped around his body and his sister's pink sheepskin mittens covering his feet.  In subzero temperatures too. A comedy moment and we looked like The Odd Family (whoever they are....oh..us).

But when we entered the pub and saw this, all felt calm and bright.

Smiling through the pain and drugged up
(me, not the Princess)

The mother in law had kindly stopped to buy the Prince some new clothes on the way as they arrived before us and the drinks in the pub were on ice and everyone was lovely (mother in law had explained the situation. Our life always contains an element of chaos it seems.)

After lunch we walked around and visited Shakespeare's birth place:

Peeking through the window!

Peeking through other people's windows too. Naughty.

In other news I have been busy eating cheese and drinking wine. Which means I am having interesting dreams.

Also been enjoying beach walks.

Wrapping a zillion presents.

Trying to work from home and meeting tight deadlines, with a three-year-old who has other ideas. Believe me it is VERY hard.

Look. At. Face.

I always resort to bribery and temptation to get peace and quiet.

Licking his lips (he hasn't tried them yet...)
Look at me, like the Childcatcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang...

 Drinking cocktails with one of my bezzy mates. On a school night. Yikes.

And walking off the hangover the next day (and walking off a gargantuan pub lunch.)

Enjoying our advent calenders.

Mine isn't a chocolate one. I have had the same advent calender for YEARS! I flatten it under the mattress and use it the following year. I love it.

On December 1st, we noticed the Prince had eaten chocolates from about eight windows and was also clutching another handful, which he was fiercely denying. Very cheeky!

I've been busy making Christmas cards, although only ones I can hand deliver, as decided not to post any this year and instead donate money to charity. Royal Mail are charging too much for stamps and I am cross.

A card topper

Loving my Christmassy cherry tree Ladybird books.

Such wonderful illustrations. Perfect Christmas!

In other news, I am currently obsessing over a cake stand I saw in a cherry tree shop window. We drove past it yesterday and the husband heard me go "Ohhhhhh!"and for a second he thought I was leaping out of the car while he was driving at 30mph for the sake of a cake stand. Perhaps I would have, if my back had allowed it.

I went back today and it's still there in the window. But it's £12. And it's not even a fancy brand. A bit steep, surely.

I really REALLY want it but I will not pay £12 for it. It's fair to say I do my bit for charidee so I shall bide my time and then go in and make an offer if it's still there. It has pink roses on it and everything.

My brother Rob flew in from Chicago yesterday and stayed with us. We attended a Christmas carol concert where the Princess was singing a solo to kick start the show. She sang the first verse of Silent Night before all the other children joined her. There were 250 parents there and as it was my belated grandfather's favourite carol, I shed more than a tear. In fact I had to squeeze myself to stop myself from blubbing. I was so proud of her. How brave my girl is.

Also my sister heard her baby's heart beat for the first time yesterday and it was as strong as a train. That lovely chugg chugg sound! (By the way, thank you, all of you for your very kind messages and texts. Means a lot to know how thoughtful you are!)

It's so exciting as I'd been getting broody for another baby in the family for a while (although not convinced I could actually be faffed to go through it all over again) and now I just can't wait to be the doting Auntie Gem. I just love the way a newborn baby smells. I am as excited as if it was my own!

Oooh and here are my two cherry tree purchases. Homemade pinnies from Scope. Different days. £1 each.

I have plans to Annie Sloan these chairs in spring. Each one will be an individual ice cream shade. Can't wait!

And so to bed. I have yet more ice on my back and need more painkillers. I shall update you on the cake stand in due course.