We then headed to Eastbourne for tea and pickies at Nathan and Craig's. The kids were a little crazier than at the other gathering, but we were the only people at their house so the energy they let out was okay. Craig played on the iPad with Jack and probably had just as much fun as Jack did. We stayed for a little over 2 hours. We then headed back to Grandma and Grandpa's for a much needed sleep.
Monday Stuart and Karen were up and out to the grocery store before 7 am. The preparations for Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas dinner and Boxing Day meals has begun. I believe the British, or at least Stuart's mum, do up Christmas bigger than in the states (or at least in my family). It's several days of fun and food with friends and family all around.
Monday afternoon we went to Eastbourne to meet up with Paul, Jane, and other people I used to hang out with on the harbour when I lived in Eastbourne. We try to see them at least once everytime we are in the UK. We had a lovely time at a new little seaside cafe. There was a room in the cafe that looked a bit like a living room where Jack and Millie could sit and play. We were able to visit and watch the rain and wind take over the place.
The weather has been especially rainy. Monday the winds did some real damage across the country. We had difficulty getting back from Eastbourne to Hastings because the train barriers had either fallen or were stuck in the down position. We ended up driving along the seafront all the way back, maybe not the best idea when winds are very strong. Fortunately the tide was out. We finally arrived safely from Eastbourne back to Karen's house. I don't miss this kind of weather at all.
Tuesday we headed back to Eastbourne to see Granddad Tom and Granny. We are doing our best to see them as much as possible while we are here. The kids did the best they could to stay calm and sit still. However, we have to remind ourselves they are only 2 and 5 years old. We really can't expect them to stay still for very long.
When we got home from Eastbourne on Tuesday we had some last minute things to wrap and get ready for Christmas morning. Karen and Stuart started preparing things for the meals to come over the following few days. Jack and Millie played around while I wrapped some presents for Karen.
Jack and Millie were really getting excited about putting out treats for Santa and the reindeer. Millie is really too young to understand all the 'magic' of Christmas, but Jack is really into it all this year.
We were discussing the fact that Elfis was going to go back to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. As Jack was discussing this with Grandma he asked her how Elfis got back home. Thinking quick on her feet, she said 'Well I suppose he would be smart to catch a ride with Santa on the sleigh when he drops off the presents for you'. That worked for Jack. He came upstairs as I was wrapping and delivered that information to me.
He also was asking about the things he had asked Santa for. Here was the conversation:
Jack: Mama, how will Santa know what to bring me?
Me: Well, what have you told him you want?
Jack: A bike.
Me: Well, then he will know because you have asked him. Do you think he will deliver it to Grandma's house or to our house in Al Ain?
Jack: Al Ain, because we couldn't get a bike home from Grandma's (he has been coached to say this).
Me: I wonder how we will know if he took things to Al Ain?
Jack: I guess we will just have to wait until we get back to Al Ain (perfectly fine with the whole idea).
Me: Maybe.
Jack: If Santa can't bring a bike to me it will be okay. There are other presents under the tree for me.
Really? He was sincere about understanding if Santa couldn't manage it. I'd have been miffed, as a kid, to say the least.
Jack put out 3 mince pies, stating 'There is one for Santa and 2 for Mrs. Santa.' Then he asked, 'If Mrs. Santa doesn't eat both of her mince pies, can I eat the one left when I wake up?' I like the way he thinks! Milk was also left as well as some carrots for the reindeer. We took care of and remembered everyone.
Have no fear, Santa came to our house in Al Ain as well as to Grandma's. He did not disappoint. Presents were scattered from here to there and all were waiting to be attacked.
Jack woke first and came into my room. He asked if he could go downstairs and watch a movie. I thought it was odd he didn't want to immediately go and see what Santa had left him. When we walked downstairs, before heading into the den, where the tv is, he quickly said, 'Can we go see what Santa left?' I told him we would have to wait for Millie to wake up. 'Ah' was the response but then we went into the den and turned on Gnomeo and Juliet.
Around 7:30 am Millie woke up and came downstairs. Of course Daddy had to go before everyone in order to video tape the reaction. There was nothing major to see but both kids were ecstatic. Now, mind you, there was an email from 'Santa' saying he had left a bike for Jack and a kitchen for Millie, so the big gifts had been left in Al Ain for our return. Of course there were pictures attached to the email.
We ate breakfast, then began the present reveal. There was way too much from Grandma and Grandpa, and for that matter from Mama and Daddy as well. Millie would have been happy with just her baby stroller and baby, and Jack with his millions of dinosaurs he received, but the gifts kept coming. With each gift, Jack was as enthusiastic as with the first. It made it so wonderful. As parents, one of our biggest fears is that our children will get extraordinarily greedy during gift opening. We pray we never hear 'I don't like that' or 'I already have that' followed by a great deal of whining. Our fears did NOT come to pass today, thank goodness.
The kids were spoiled beyond reason, played with their toys the entire day (except when Millie was sleeping), and we had a fantastic Christmas. Food was prepared with love and served around 3 pm. Meal time was a bit stressful but we got through it and no one was injured. We were able to Skype with Grammie, Pop, Uncle Mitch, Uncle Russ, Aunt Julie, Morgan and Emily. They were on their way back from celebrating Christmas in California (Disneyland and the San Diego Zoo- jealous).
Boxing Day Stuart got up just before 5 am to pick his brother, Matt, up at the airport. He was coming in from Australia. Stuart and his brothers will be together for a few days, which has not happened in almost 7 years. I know Stuart has been excited for this time for a while. James will be here Sunday. As you can tell, the kids are already enjoying their time with Uncle Matt.
Stuart and Matt headed to Granddad Tom and Granny's house from the airport. Jack, Millie and I got up and played with their new toys and watched Elf for the hundredth time.
We had a lazy day and then had a lovely dinner. Everyone was tired so we called it an evening.
We headed to Portsmouth on Friday morning to visit Stuart's grandma on his dad's side. She's called Mimi, and boy did Millie love to say her name. Stuart and Matt dropped the kids and myself off at the local shopping center while they went to pick up Mimi. It's amazing how much shopping can be accomplished in a 30 minute time frame. I bought a hand bag and a dress. Happy New Year to me.
We had a lovely lunch with Mimi at a local pub, took her back to her apartment and had a cup of tea. I sorted out her fridge so all the food Karen had sent her would fit in. She is a character for sure. She speaks her mind and really reminds me of my dad's mother. It's always nice when you can take the time to visit with those who have made our lives possible and are not necessarily able to travel the world to see us.
The kids dozed on the ride back and had a difficult time falling asleep in the evening. Jack finally dropped off at 11 pm. The benefit of that is that both kids slept in a bit on Saturday morning.
Saturday brought another trip to Eastbourne. The kids and I went to Treasure Island, a kids play land, while Stuart and Matt went to their grandparent's house. Craig and Nathan met us at Treasure Island for coffee. The kids played and we talked. It was great fun. I love when friendships don't skip a beat no matter the time you are apart.
After a couple of hours the weather seemed good enough to walk on the seafront and down towards the Eastbourne Pier. So we left Treasure Island to enjoy, the most unlikely, every so brief, lovely weather.
We ended our day with Nathan and Craig at the local ice cream parlor, walked back to Treasure Island, and just as Stuart drove up to pick us up it started to rain. We drove to Stuart's grandparent's house so that the kids could see Auntie Cheryl and Amy, Stuart's aunt and cousin. Of course we got to see Granny and Granddad Tom as well, which was nice.
Jack was asked to behave and stay calm, but as you would guess he was not as calm as he had promised he would be. They just can't keep it together, try as they may, and it doesn't matter how much threatening we do. I wonder, is this normal? I hope so.
We headed to the Red Lion for dinner and the tide must have changed because the kids were great. They crashed once we got home.
Stuart's brother arrives Sunday, so let the fun begin!
No comments:
Post a Comment