OH my it's nearly here!!

So busy week with one thing and another.

Hotels have finally been sold... hurray! To Folio Hotels. They seem pretty good. I like their Excel spreadsheets anyway, and that's always a plus in my eyes. However, trying to pay people in time for Christmas, via two different companies at the last minute doesn't come without a few stresses and problems, but I think we made it. See how many complaints I get next week... hard hat time.

The week started for the girls with:

Sunday - Village Christmas party. They had a really great time, which is wonderful as Holly has always been v nervous about going (actuall for nervous read hysterical). This year she got a 'new' dress (thank you Alloam, ebay for getting it to us on time) and off she went. In fact when got in the hall, by the time I had found a seat she had run off with her friend Freyja having taken her coat off and flung it somewhere... a very happy moment.

Monday - Holly's Christmas concert. First up were the morning nursery, which includes Holly's friend Naomi, with a couple of songs one of which was When Santa Got Stuck Up The Chimney, a personal favourite. Naomi was good, and looked lovely in her silver shiney beely boppers!! Then is was Gaelic Medium's turn. Quite annoyed at some of the morning nursery parents taking their kids home before the Gaelic nursery came on... grrr...! ANYWAY, to the important part: Holly was an Angel in their Gaelic Nativity (or Activity as H calls it. 'Holly, it's NAtivity.' 'Mum, we are acting in it, so it is ACTivity.') She was first on stage and looked gorgeous. I know I am biased, but she really did. And, when the teacher who was singing along with them, stopped to give directions to Mary and Joseph, Holly's voice rang out above all the others (er... all 4 of them).

Tuesday - Daisy's playgroup Christmas party. Liam took her, and Holly and I wrote Christmas cards. She came home having eaten loads of party food and won a party game. She is now the proud owner of a fluffy dog in a red scarf.

Wednesday - Holly's nursery Christmas party. Up and off at 10am... this is a shock to our system as she usually doesn't start until 12.45pm. She had a great time though, and came home after having seen Father Christmas and got a 'Santa Chocolate'. Happy girl.

Thursday - Holly's last day at nursery. Up and off at 9.30am... eeek!

Got to thinking... how do we keep up the surprise and intrigue of Christmas, and Father Christmas in particular, when they see so many of them on the run up to the 25th??? That's 2 each my kids have seen in the last 4 days, and it could have been three if we'd gone to see 'him' at our local Tourist Information Centre on Saturday. Daisy did see one already 2 wks ago in Kinlochleven at a fundraiser. I remember going to see Father Christmas at a department store each year (ish). Once. Not every other day, and not at different locations. Once. It was nice. Special. A treat. And magical. One I particualarly remember was one where you went into a wee room, and sat in sleigh seats, and you 'travelled' to Father Christmas' grotto. I was in awe. I was so impressed that we could actually move in the room. Magic. (yep, you guessed it: the wall moved, we didn't. But I believed it, which was the point).

Not only do they see 'himself' all these times, but mum and dad have to provide a present everytime (nearly). It's all about competition and it is so impersonal. rant rant

I love all the magic of that time. I still remember, when I knew it wasn't real, waking up on Christmas morning with my stocking at the bottom of my bed and my FIRST thought was 'ah... he's been!' Am I just too sad for words?? I don't think so, but maybe I am. Maybe that's why I love glitter and stuff so much, it keeps that specialness alive!!!

I just need someone to inject me with a bit of entusiasum and excitement and I'll be great.

Maybe THAT's what I should have asked for for Christmas?

Well, goodness knows when I'll bother to update this again, so have a WONDERFUL, MAGICAL and SPECIAL Christmas and the kind of New Year you want it to be.

Love Mxxx