Christmas

Christmas has changed for me since having kids.
I'm more aware of everything relating to it. I love going to the shops and seeing their eyes light up at the decorations, the trees and the lights, the Santa castles. It's amazing to watch their little eyes not knowing quite where to look next.
But then again, the fact that the Christmas displays can start as early as September is enough to drive most parents mad! So lets just say I love everything about kids and Christmas from December, just not before!

This year we managed to get hold of the Lego advent calendars. They were fantastic and added to the Lego we've got already. Megan and Hannah's eyes got bigger everyday... more and more pink Lego! We had chocolate ones too, but I'm not in a big hurry to get those again - the chocolate handprints on my curtain are more than I can deal with!

We always get to have 2 Christmases. Roland's family have always celebrated on Christmas Eve and mine on Christmas Day. So we went (against my better judgement) to Roland's brother Harald for the family Christmas Eve. It was good fun, just too much and too late for three 3 year olds. It's something I struggle with - people always say they understand what we are going through, but how can you imagine triplets if you've never done it? So in typical Judy fashion, I lost my temper after being told at 9pm for the millionth time how to deal with 3 year old triplets that were over-tired and over-excited on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Day we had everyone at ours for lunch. I can't seem to find any of the Christmas photos at the moment, but I'll post some when I do. It was chaos, but fun. And as it was a stunning day the kids spent the whole time in the garden and the pool.

Christmas Concerts 2007

I think we must've spent most of November at various Christmas concerts and parties! Megs had demo concerts for all the extra things she does at school like Action Ball and Kindermusik.

And a big ballet concert. It was on a Saturday morning for all the girls that do Ballet at Springfield - from pre-reception to grade 2. Megan was in the first year of ballet which is just an intro. They start doing Royal school of ballet syllabus from the reception year. But then again, although she is as light as a bird on her feet, I don't think she can keep still enough to have a professional future as a ballerina!!! Athough I must say she did look the perfect part, and danced like an angel!

Then we had the Nativity Plays. Now I really have to admire Janine, Kerry, Heather-Lee, Nosipho and Lindela for organising a 40 minute performance by 50 3, 4 and 5 year olds. I can't organise three 3 year and one 5 year olds!
Well Prand decided to change the play from previous years so that all the kids had a more specialised role. So instead of the usual angels and shepherds, kings, Joseph and Mary, there were some additions. Pretty much an entire farmyard actually! So I had a shepherd (Oliver), a monkey (Hannah) and an elephant (Cameron). Boy was the monkey role appropriate! But I guess we knew that before she hit the stage!!!

It was so amazing to watch my three little people singing and dancing and having such an amazing time. Although, it's quite scary to realise how quickly they are growing up.


And then there was Meg's concert. It was gorgeous. Her class were all angels and they really looked the part with proper angel costumes. Unfortunately she got really sick 2 days before so hadn't been at school. But she was desperate to be in the concert so we dosed her up and took her along (she wasn't contagious in case anybody was wondering - it was done with doctor approval!). They had set up a stage in the school gardens so we all sat with our picnic baskets on the lawns waiting for the big moment. They looked so sweet trooping down, but then we saw Meg. She looked miserable, but went up onto the stage. She managed about half of the concert then came down to sit with us.

London

I don't think I could live in London, but for a holiday it's fabulous. I went from Edinburgh down to my cousin who lives in Ealing. It's a really nice area - and easy as could be from Heathrow. Euan is Megan's godfather so it's always great to see him. I stayed with him and Mel for a few days before heading to a friend in Green Park. Now that's the perfect location to see the centre of London. I don't know how far I must have walked, but let me just say - I went through a number of blister plasters!!!


Anyway, in true London October fashion, it was grey! Note picture of Westminster from the London Eye... cold and wet and more to the point grey. But that didn't stop me, I had my umbrella, my waterproof, some non-blister-giving boots (which I only realised once it was too late). I was the perfect tourist. I did the London Eye, Madam Tussauds, Oxford Street a few times over... Hamleys and M&S, Picadilly, Thames River Boats and even Legoland!!! And of course made a trip to Buckingham Palace.

But more than all the touristy things, it was fantastic to see lots of friends and family that I hadn't seen for years. Roland is still trying to recover from the fact that I went to the Star Wars exhibit. He just plays with his replica light sabre (long story, maybe in another post) and looks at the photos I took.

More Pictures from UK Trip

Stirling Castle

Wallace Monument

Windsor Castle

Crown Jewels

Star Wars

Edinburgh

I'm back from a totally fantastic couple of weeks in the UK. It was such a bizarre feeling... after being responsible for 4 little people 24/7 - suddenly it was just me. And although I probably shouldn't admit it, I didn't pine for home at all, I had a total blast! The flight over was great. It was only about half full so I had the 2 window seats to myself. It didn't give me a total lie down, but I did have at least a little bit of room to stretch out.

I flew straight up to Edinburgh from Heathrow and my aunt fetched me from the airport. We spent the afternoon doing all the shopping that I miss so much at home... ELC, Mothercare, GAP. And the best part? I wasn't chasing after numerous children! Quite an odd feeling actually - browsing through a toy shop with noone to chase! We met my cousing Kay and her boyfriend Ally for supper that evening. Was great to see her and to meet Ally.


The next morning we drove up to see my cousin Lorna and family. They live on this incredible place just out of Stirling. It is really stunning and an amazing place for kids to grow up. It's something I'm really not used to - the total feeling of safety. Kids are free to run around as they please, people leave doors unlocked... there are animals all around - you throw your leftovers out to the chickens! I had a fabulous few days with them and it was great to meet all the kids. I had only met the oldest, Hamish, before and since then there have been 3 more additions.

Granny and Grandpa have a New Addition

Well there is great excitement on the animal front... granny and grandpa have a new puppy. They had a flat coat retriever when we were living in the UK, but have never been able to find a puppy here. So up to now, they have stuck with the goldens.

But at last, after 20-something years of waiting... Tara has arrived! It is a TOTAL terror, but unbelievably cute. The kids are totally besotted.

I Have Arrived!

Here I am at last... It has been a long time coming, but it is finally time for me to join the society of bloggers! We've finally got back some form of normality in our lives - and it's great! We have four fantastic children - Megan age 5 and Oliver, Cameron and Hannah age 3. And instead of worrying about nappies, feeding and potty training, we are now looking at school and education.

Megan is in her pre-reception year at Springfield pre-primary. That's 2 years prior to grade 1. She is loving it there and thank goodness made the transition from tomboy to princess just in time. I don't know how the angel of a year ago would have coped with an all girl school. One minute she was playing with trains, the next she was in tears wanting to know why she didn't have dolls and prams!

The trio are at a little play school called Prand where they are very happy. It's a small school and a very loving environment - just right for their first experience of an "educational institution"!!! We are busy making final decisions about where they are going next year.