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Christmas 2009
Posted by Webby at December 27, 2009 11:03 PM | Comments (0)We had an unusually quiet (and lovely) Christmas this year in Whitby. The people at Shoreline Cottages have been pestering Jilly, for some time, about renting the lovely Riverside Apartment over the holiday period (we stayed there in May this year). Eventually, and after negotiating a considerable reduction in cost (phew!), Jilly (and I, by default) agreed to hire the apartment.
Evelyn soon became very excited about being away from home over Christmas, particularly when we convinced her that Santa would know where she was, so that he could safely deliver her presents. After some initial confusion, it became apparent that Kieran wouldn't be joining us.
As the recent snow hadn't thawed, we decided to drive to Scarborough on the A64 via Stockton-on-the-Forest (where we collected Evelyn from Nanna and Poppee) thereby avoiding the Pickering and North Yorkshire Moors. The drive went very well apart from a stretch of largely untreated roads on the A171 just outside Whitby.
The weather was lovely while we were in Whitby. While clear skies made it cold, we saw very little in the way of snow during the daytime so, on Christmas Eve, we took a stroll into Whitby, around the town, and along the beach. Evelyn walked everywhere without so much as a mutter of complaint. When we got back to the apartment, Jilly and I were so pleased with Evelyn and her walking that we told her that we would simply 'veg' in front of the television on Christmas Day.
Quite unnecessarily, we took a 'spare' Christmas tree with us, to the apartment, but the apartment already had one set up in the living room, and Evelyn was amazed to find her Christmas presents beneath the tree when she woke on Christmas day. Evelyn was 'super patient' about opening her presents and agreed to open them over the course of the morning, opening her final presents after Christmas dinner, beautifully prepared by Jilly (who even cooked sprouts for me!)
On Boxing Day, Jilly prepared a lovely turkey-sandwich-based picnic which we enjoyed before walking on the beach and visiting the 'slotties'.
We were all a little sad, this morning, to leave our festive holiday home...but I'm sure we'll be back!
Evie's Nativity
Posted by Webby at December 17, 2009 10:03 PM | Comments (0)
Jilly and I went to Evelyn's first nativity today, and it was...er...different. The reception and first year children presented 'Christmas With The Aliens', a retelling of the traditional Christmas nativity as told by alien visitors who have crashed on Earth.
It was lovely being at Evie's first Christmas nativity, and the children all clearly enjoyed themselves, especially Evelyn. Unfortunately, Jilly and I could hardly see Evelyn through the seated audience of parents and grandparents, as she was sat on the floor of the hall, singing.
Jilly and I agreed that - to spare the other childrens' embarrassment - Evelyn hadn't been given a speaking part in the part. Instead, Evie had been asked to share her delightful singing voice with the school.
Evelyn's video message from Santa
Posted by Webby at December 17, 2009 09:51 PM | Comments (0)Evelyn was absolutely astonished, today, when I told her that I had received an e-mail telling me that Evelyn could expect a video message from Santa himself.
We all sat around the laptop as the message came through from the North Pole. Evelyn couldn't have been more amazed as Santa said 'hello' to her before taking a seat in a huge arm chair in his living room. Santa sat down and took out a book which had all of Evelyn's details in it (including a very recent photograph of her), and how she wanted an MP3 player for Christmas. Santa also knew that Evelyn had been trying especially hard to behave at school.
If you know a child who might appreciate a personalised video message from Santa next year, you might want to visit the PNP (Portable North Pole) Communication Centre. Brilliant
Cartoon Genius
Posted by Webby at December 17, 2009 09:37 PM | Comments (0)As I was getting ready for work this morning I told Evelyn how I was going to miss her all day. She immediately disappeared into the living room and, after a couple of minutes, returned with this picture.
"There you are Daddy", she told me, holding out the picture, "A picture so that you can see me all day!" She gave me the picture and made sure that I'd put it in my shirt pocket.
I'm a little alarmed about her choice of shoes!
..and my heart melts
Posted by Webby at December 13, 2009 09:19 PM | Comments (0)While watching Elf this evening (it's an excellent movie that Jilly and I would recommend watching with - or without - children), Jilly made it clear that she would appreciate a cup tea being made for her during the next commercial break.
As the adverts began, I dutifully rose from my seat to make Jilly's tea, asking Evelyn if I could get her anything while I was up.
"Yes", Evelyn replied.
"What would you like", I asked.
"A kiss", she told me, puckering up as she lent forward me.
Really, what more could a besotted father ask?
Pre-Christmas Ketchup
Posted by Webby at December 9, 2009 10:31 AM | Comments (0)Bad Dreams
Came into our bedroom this morning after (allegedly) having had a bad dream. It was dark (so Evie thought it was still night-time), but it was, in fact, practically time to get up. Evelyn snuggled up to me in bed and started telling me about her bad dream. Apparently, Evelyn and I were at a party where a snake ate one of her silver party shoes and then a stranger offered to sell me two cars (a green one and a silver one), but I didn't want the silver one because it was a Land Rover. Now I know that you can expect dreams to be a bit bizarre...but me, driving a Land Rover?
First School Christmas Card
Evelyn has brought home her first ever school-made Christmas card; Evie also brought home a Christmas card which she made at the out-of-school club, so they are both standing, with pride of place, on the living room mantelpiece.
The cards are both so beautiful that I decided to scan them both and make them the first images in this years Flickr Christmas set.
School Nativity Play
Evelyn has been a little confused, recently, about whether or not she was going to be in the school nativity play. First she was going to be an angel, then a shepherd, but now it all seems clear. Lovely Mr. L has told Evelyn that she couldn't have a part in the school nativity because she was far too valuable as a singer, telling her that she had a lovely singing voice. Evelyn has been singing the nativity songs to Jilly and I for the past few weeks now and we're both looking forward to the play on Thursday 17th December.
