An Enchanted Wood

Here are the pictures when we went to Westonbirt Arboretum the weekend before Christmas. They light up the trees and it makes a lit forest path. It is a nice walk and the kids love it.

They have mulled wine, mince pies, roasted chestnuts and hot chocolate to warm you up after the half hour walk. It is a lot of fun and we do it every year at Christmas so it is sort of a family tradition.

An Overdue Update!

There has been so much going on that I feel like I haven't stopped for days!! Here is an update into our household for the last couple of weeks:

Jack had a ballet end-of-term performance - pictures to come soon! He is the best dancer (and the only boy) in the class and really enjoys himself!

Had my friend Kaja over and we made candy to give out as presents. We made chocolate fudge (the American kind), peppermint bark, peanut brittle and russian teacakes. They were delicious!

Jack had his Christmas Disco at school and he got all dressed up in his party clothes. He said he had a really good time and danced a lot!

Jack also had his Christmas party for the last day of school and he didn't have to wear his uniform which he was really happy about. I got chosen to make cheese and pineapple sticks - which he informed me disappeared within minutes. As soon as he got there he and his friends compared shoes! Who would have guessed 5 year old's were so into their apparel?

Cerys has had numerous visits to Santa which she loves! We can't pass a Santa without stopping!

I had my work Christmas party on Wed night which was fun. We got all dressed up and had a really nice dinner in a nice restaurant near my work.

We all have a day off today apart from John so really looking forward to tomorrow where we can all just relax and get excited about Christmas.

I will keep you updated with pictures! Merry Christmas!

Cerys with earrings!

Well, we finally took the plunge and got Cerys' ears pierced.

She kept asking for them so we gave in. I did explain that it would hurt and I think she got a bit nervous towards the end when they were drawing dots on her ears but she only cried for about 30 seconds! She was very brave and got a lolly and a sticker from the shop that pierced her.

She wanted pink ones but I managed to talk her into the diamond ones because if she is wearing red - pink does NOT go. She shows off her new earrings to everybody now and is always looking in the mirror.

My baby girl has definently grown into a child.

15 things I love about...

This is the list I use when trying to decide where to settle permanently. I am still completely undecided because I love both places for different reasons! They are listed in no particular order however the bold ones are more important than the others.

England

1) National trust
2) Already settled
3) Scenery
4) Friends
5) Next & Monsoon
6) Additive free food
7) TV
8) Don’t have to worry about visas
9) Farms
10) Not as much violence
11)Kids keep their accents
12)Less traffic
13)Familiar for John & kids
14)More vacation days at work
15)No poisonous insects or large animals wanting to eat you


California

1) Family
2) Scenery
3) Food
4) Convenience
5) More things for kids to do
6) Cheaper
7) Old Navy
8) Weather
9) No need for daycare
10)No track suit chavs
11)Familiar for Angie
12)No garbage on streets
13)More space everywhere
14)Parades
15)Positive people

Jack's School Play

Jack was a reindeer in the school play this year. It was really hard to get a good picture so sorry in advance! He had a really good time and one picture gives new meaning to "deer in headlights".

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree. . .

I have to tell you all I am so thoroughly disappointed with our tree! The last two years are trees have been gorgeous but not this time. It is so small! We measured it and it is 6 ft but it is a really inferior, wimpy, poor excuse for a tree. On the plus side, it smells nice. John loves it and says it 'fits' the room whatever that means! Oh well, there's always next year...

Our car the morning after Bonfire Night

Our poor car was still this muddy after it had rained all night!!!