Notes on Andrew Belinda & Benjamin Lattimore

Christmas Time xo

It’s over….. Christmas just goes by so fast :(. Our tree is gone and I miss it already!

We had a quiet relaxing Christmas with just seven of us – my Mum, my Dad, my Brother, his Wife, Andrew, Ben and I. Most preparations were done the day before so the day was fabulous. You would think since I was organised I would have heaps of photos……… well errr no! I took one picture all day…….. tragic I know!!! I just didn’t feel like it. I scrounged some from my Dad and my Sister-in-law (thanks). But on Boxing Day I tried out Instagram on my iPhone (photo App) – Oh I’m in LOVE!

Our Christmas day was full with family, eating, snoozing, chatting and Lego. Lego covers my house (well that is really no different to any other day!!). The days that followed were filled with family, more food, more snoozing, more chatting, more lego and the best marble run in the world.

Thanks to everyone for making our Christmas wonderful.

Happy Holidays !

Twelve Christmas Favourites #12

#12 Christmas Favourite – Ben’s Christmas

There has been a big lead up to Christmas. Christmas celebrations started for Ben in mid November at Kindy with preparations for the Christmas concert. There were Christmas carols, tree decorating, decoration making, present making and a Christmas concert. The concert was a big hit (refer to Christmas Kindy Concert).

Ben has helped me at home put up and decorate the tree, write Christmas cards (which aren’t in the post yet!!), make special Christmas treats, and wrap presents. He insists on putting Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer on repeat. This has driven me a little mad!! Maybe he has inherited my love of Christmas carols….. YAY!

We have also been to see the Christmas tree in the city, the Christmas windows at Myer, some Christmas house lights and made a visit to Santa. In the last few days we have introduced a very special Christmas surprise. Yesterday Jack the Pixie Elf arrived from the North Pole (well from Amazon.com). Jack (Ben named him Jack) the Pixie Elf’s job is to watch Ben and report back to Santa. Every night Jack magically flies to Santa to give him this important information. So each morning Ben needs to find Jack. It’s all very cute and a lot of fun. Ben keeps asking me “Mum is Jack really real?”

Tonight Ben prepared a snack and a drink for Santa and his reindeer. I also had a super special surprise for him. We had a message from Santa on the apple TV – Oh My Gosh Ben was intrigued.

Ben is so excited about being on the ‘Nice List’.

Ben is now tucked up in bed. Santa has made his deliveries and the last minute preparations are being made for a relaxing, enjoyable and memorable Christmas day.

I feel incredibly lucky to be able to share these amazing experiences with Ben – love you little guy xo.

Twelve Christmas Favourites #11

#11 Christmas Favourite – Giving

I adore giving gifts to loved ones. I love finding that special something, wrapping it up and keeping it safe until Christmas day. I have difficulty waiting until Christmas to give people their presents. I just get a little excited.

This year I also thought it was important for Ben to experience giving gifts and not just receiving. This year Ben gave some gifts to World Vision. Online we looked through the gifts you can give children that aren’t as fortunate as Ben. We explained to him that these children don’t have Christmas trees with presents, special treats to eat or maybe even toys to play with. He had trouble believing that this could be possible. He chose pencils, a chicken and feed and a fruit tree – small gifts really that can make such a difference. I am not sure how much Ben understood but hopefully we have planted a seed.

Twelve Christmas Favourties #10

#10 Christmas Favourites – Family and Friends

This is just the most fabulous time of the year because it is filled with family and friends visiting, Christmas get togethers and family dinners. This year it is the ‘Wood’ family Christmas. We will spend Christmas day with my Mum, Dad, Brother and Sister-In-Law (I have the small family). We will catch up with Andrew’s family in the week after Christmas.

We have spent the last few days at the beach celebrating with our friends. We have just loved eating our dinner on the beach watching the kids fly kites, chase seaguls and run themselves silly.

Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without family and friends – feeling very blessed xo

Twelve Christmas Favourites #9

#9 Christmas Favourite – Wrapping

I love wrapping presents. I always have. I think it has something to do with building the excitement of giving the present.

This year I am keeping it simple – brown paper, twine, bells and stamping the name on the present. SO EASY!

Twelve Christmas Favourites #8

#8 Christmas Favourite – SNOW

Yeah yeah I know there is no snow in Queensland ……….. like ever!!! But it is ok to dream of snow, isn’t it? I have had one white Christmas and I do dream of taking Andrew and Ben off to the snow for another.

In 2005 my Mum and I booked a last minute holiday to America for Christmas. We went to visit our dear dear friend Kathy and her family – Hi Kathy xo. I had the most amazing time. I loved every minute of the snow – the jackets, the gloves, scarves, hats, freezing toes, cold nose – everything! But I do realise I have rather a romantic notion of snow. I was on a holiday! Here are some holiday snaps.

I love snowmen. We didn’t actually build this one. We just borrowed it for the photo!

It was freezing the night we went to pick the Christmas Tree. But it was snowing…… I loved it!!!!

There was always somewhere to go and warm up. I can’t remember what I use to order from Starbucks but it was YUM! I am so glad I got to blog about this holiday. It was way before my blogging days.

Here’s hoping for another white Christmas…… some day.