MUMMY! SANTA'S BEEN!!!

Oh christmas tree...
Originally uploaded by Groovy Biscuits.

Well that was the cry as Heather whizzed down the stairs at what seemed like a hundred miles an hour!

Merry Christmas everybody! We've had a fantastic time, it really couldn't have been better. It started on Christmas Eve after we got the kids bathed and into their new xmas pyjamas, we lit the fire and all sat down to watch The Polar Express (which I hadn't seen before). Afterwards, we left a glass of milk and a mince pie for Santa and a carrot for Rudolph then got the kids to bed. It was around 9:30 and both kids went down easily (very surprising).

On Christmas morning, Hamish woke first at 8:30 then we got Heather up and all went downstairs to see if Santa had been. Their eyes lit up when they saw the presents. Heather went straight in, tearing the paper and getting all excited. Hamish was a bit more reserved and wanted me top open the presents for him.

Once we'd had our usual festive breakfast of Coco Pops (my mum sent some over!) I headed for the kitchen to prepare the Christmas lunch while Alan played with the kids.

It was surprisingly calm which makes a change for us. It's usually me running around the kitchen like a headless chicken or should I say turkey, getting all the food ready at the same time. Then guests arrive and you're busy entertaining them while the turkey is burning and the parsnips have caramelised in the tin! But, no, this year it was very organised and calm.

I made leek and potato soup to start followed by turkey, roast potatoes, parmesan baked parsnips, the obligatory brussels sprouts, baby carrots, sage and onion stuffing and mini sausage rolls. Then we had my home-made Christmas pudding which was seriously yummy (if I say so myself). Even Hamish liked it! 10 hours of steaming and running out of gas half way through (our cooker runs on propane!) was worth it!

Then we settled down to relax for a few hours while the kids played upstairs. Hamish came down around 7 and sat in his chair and promtly went to sleep. I got him into bed and that was him until 8:30 this morning!!!

So all in all, we had an excellent Christmas and now we're just looking forward to our trip to the UK to enjoy a traditional Scottish Hogmannay!

I got this!
Originally uploaded by Groovy Biscuits.

Mummy lending a hand
Originally uploaded by Groovy Biscuits.

WOW!
Originally uploaded by Groovy Biscuits.

Happy mummy
Originally uploaded by Groovy Biscuits.

Father and Son
Originally uploaded by Groovy Biscuits.

All too much!
Originally uploaded by Groovy Biscuits.

Deck the halls...

Well the run up to Christmas is well underway and I've been pretty busy all week. It was Heather's last day of school last Friday and to make things even more festive, we had a raging blizzard! Sounds very nice but not when I had to battle through the snow to get the bus there and back with Hamish in the buggy! Anyway Michelle asked if Heather wanted to go back with her to play with Mathias and Emma for the afternoon. She ended up sleeping over!

Jamie, Michelle and I went into town on Friday night late night shopping to get some last minute gifts. It was nice because the snow made it all Christmassy. After the shopping we headed to one of Bergen's few Indian restaurants for a quick bite to eat. Our quick bite to eat ended at 1am!!! The beer was soooooo cheap there so we had to stay longer!

Had a really busy day on Saturday. Went food shopping for the party on Sunday then headed back to cook and clean the house. Phew!

On Sunday we had a Christmas party in the house for my friends and the kids. Ziela didn't come as Nadja was sick but everyone else came: Michelle and Jørgen with Mathias and Sanne. Jamie and Torbjørn with Emma, Daniel and Amanda. I made a festive buffet of turkey, ham, pasta salad, cranberry sauce, mini roast potatoes, chips, dips and artichoke dip (from Jamie). I then followed it with home made trifle, mince pies and almond cookies from Michelle. All very yummy and washed down with some gløgg made with red wine. It's a bit like mulled wine but much sweeter and more aromatic. We all opened presents and had fun.

Monday and Tuesday were quite, just pottering around the house tidying etc.

Yesterday was my birthday and was woken at 6.30am to open my presents before Alan went to work. I got a DVD, CD, watch and jewellery. At lunchtime, Ziela picked us up and went to Michelle's where she had a small party for me. We had ris-grøtt for lunch (norwegian festive porridge with sugar and cinnamon) then we had a very lovely chocolate and marshmallow cake that Jamie made for me. They gave me a book on shoes and a popcorn maker (VERY COOL). Later Alan and the kids took me out for dinner to a local Italian pizzeria.

I haven't taken any pictures for ages but I think Michelle has so I'll try and get some and post them soon.

steeeeeeamin

steeeeeeamin
Originally uploaded by Groovy Biscuits.

Here's a picture Julie sent me of a night out we had when she visited a few weeks ago. As you can see, I'd had a bit too much to drink (for a change!!!). I just wanted to point out that the beer in my hand (not even a full pint) cost me £8!!! Yes £8 for the beer.

Needless to say, I only had 1 in the club (the rest I had before we left the house!!! hee hee)

Cuuuuuuute!

kids
Originally uploaded by Groovy Biscuits.

Here's the latest pic of my babies looking very cute indeed. It was taken a couple of months ago at Heather's school. Is it normal for them to look so different?

My new business venture!

Buddies©
Originally uploaded by Groovy Biscuits.

For those of you who don't already know, I recently 'acquired' a sewing machine from my mother-in-law and have been busy making things.

I decided to make baby comfort blankets similar to Taggies but much better obviously as I realise that babies love satin ribbons (Hamish included). I've named them "Buddies" after my friend Ziela's daughter Zara who has a similar blanket which she calls Buddie.

I have listed several on ebay and hope to make more. If you would like one or know someone who does, please let me know! Click on the link below to view my items in ebay.

View my items in ebay - click here