A Very Busy Christmas!

Well, the last 24 hours have been chock full of Christmas stuff! Yesterday afternoon was Emily's school play and she was a star. You know how there's always one child who messes about, looks at the ceiling when they should be singing, prods people with their prop, picks their nose etc? Yup, that was my daughter! She did do some singing and did a very good twinkly star dance on the stage, but needless to say she'd had a concentration bypass yesterday!!

Then we took both kids to visit Santa. Emily talked to him but from 2 feet away, there was no way she was getting any nearer to that beard! And Xander, well he took one look and screamed! We did manage to get a picture but probably a bit of waste of £7!

This morning has been Xander's toddler group's Xmas party and it's been fab! They were asked to go in fancy dress so it was a good opportunity for him to wear his Xmas pudding outfit; he even kept the hat on for a whole half an hour! They had a party tea (pizza and buns at 10am, yum!) and Santa put in yet another appearance...and guess what? Yup, Xander screamed again! I'm just glad he'll be asleep when Santa makes his annual trip on Christmas Eve!

Anyway, we are now all well and truely into the festive spirit!

Christmas Past

I found some photos on the computer the other day of Emily at Xmas '04. Can't believe how young she looks; and in turn how grown up she looks now!!

Xmas '04

Xmas '07

Video Evidence!

Blimey, 2 blog posts in 1 day!!

Well, I finally got Xander walking on video today. It wasn't difficult; he's suddenly grasped what it's all about and has walked everywhere today! So here is Billy Jim's wobbly baby steps!!

Oh Christmas Tree Oh Christmas Tree!

So, I've finally had to stop being bah humbug and admit that Christmas is going to happen whether I like it or not!! So, on Saturday we put the tree up. Didn't exactly go smoothly, Emily got too excited and was trying to put baubles and tinsel on before the tree was actually up; and Xander kept paddying because he wasn't allowed to chew the lights! But, eventually the tree was up and so far it's still standing (OK, it's tied to the radiator; between Xander and Cindy we were taking no risks!!).

This Yorkshire Girl's Been Lancashired!!

First of all, for anyone that reads Marie's blog, this post is virtually the same as hers (except no hobnobbing with the stars here!) and the pics are the same because I stole them from Marie!

For everyone else...we had a great night on Saturday! We went over t'Pennines to St Helens to see my old pal Marie, who was taking us to see one of her favourite bands: The Lancashire Hotpots! For anyone not familiar with their work, their a comedy band who sing such classics as Chippy Tea and Shopmobility Scooter...

Well, I've not laughed so much in a long time!! They were hilarious, and with names like Dicky Ticker and Willie Eckerslike, they couldn't really be anything else could they!

Even though Rob's a southerner, he had a great time...

It was also great to have a few drinks with the one and only Mariek!! We've never actually had a tipple together, just tea and cupcakes, so it was nice to let our hair down together! Also, her 2 friends Karen and Denise came along; who were both excellent gig going company; and made it even more enjoyable...

(me, Karen, Denise, Marie)

Anyway, I'd definately recommend checking the Hotpots out, you can find them here:

http://www.myspace.com/thelancashirehotpots

I dare you not to laugh!!

All These Channels And No Bob The Builder?

So, Xander's been coming on leaps and bounds lately. Today he's been doing tonnes of walking; mainly when he thinks no one's looking, but he's suddenly got the idea of toddling! The talking is going a bit slower, but he's getting there and sounded like he said 'here you are' (well, 'hee ya') earlier. He also has a grand total of 7 teeth now so is enjoying chomping on all sorts, including mummy's fingers!

He's had a fascination with remote controls for a long time; but today he decided he wanted every control in the house! Unfortunately Bob The Builder was nowhere to be found, but he finds the tv guide on Sky very entertaining; and loves boogying to the elevator music on there!!

The illness is still well and truely resident in the Gillard household. Rob took today off today so he could look after Xander while I went to bed and tried to shift this cold once and for all. All it seems to have done though is give him a cold! Great! I'm really hoping we're better this weekend as we have a trip across the Pennines planned tomorrow; Rob and I are supposed to be going with Marie and Kendo to see the Lancashire Hotpots tomorrow night while Rob's mum babysits. It's our only night out this Xmas so I really really want to go, so anti cold vibes would be very much appreciated!!

Poorly Sick!

Ok, this cold isn't funny any more (actually, it was never funny in the first place!). I've had it now since Monday and it just won't go. I've tried everything (even a few glasses of vino at Sam's Virgin Vie party last night!!) and it's not budging! So, anyone with any ancient cold remedies; send them this way, I'm desperate!

Of course it's been passed on by the snot monster himself: Xander Billy Jim but he seems to have got over his now. He's also had to contend with 4 new teeth in the past 10 days and taking a few more steps so he's been a busy boy!

Right, off to bury my head in a box of Kleenex!