Christmas build-up

The last few weeks have been quite busy, but in a nice way, with the build-up to Christmas. It started in the first week of December when we spent a few days at Center Parcs at Sherwood Forest. We've been due a break for a while, and when an offer of money to help us came along, we couldn't say no! It was a lovely few days, with plenty to keep us occupied. Imogen loved watching the squirrels and was fascinated by the singing reindeer in the village centre. The village centre looked lovely on an evening with all the Christmas lights, and Imogen loved the fireworks display mid-week. We're planning a return trip next year at the same time - it was a nice time to go away and got us started in the Christmas spirit.

I opted to do Christmas shopping without Imogen this year - I just couldn't face coping with the two at the same time! Some of the shopping was done while she was at nursery, but Nanny and Gramps looked after the Grandchildren for a day (well, Imogen for the day, and Molly & Charlie once they'd finished school) so I could go to Leeds with Rach.

We're not ones for putting up the tree too early, so that was left until last weekend. Dave and I did most of it on Saturday afternoon while Imogen was having her nap, but left a few bits, including the top star, for Imogen to finish it off. She loves the tree and spends ages walking round it looking at the different decorations, telling you what they all are - "Santa", "reindeer", "fairy", "lights" and - my favourite "wellies" (stockings to you and me!) Unfortunately she doesn't seem to understand that you look without your fingers, and several times, she's unhooked a decorations and then brought it to me saying "Oops!"

For the last week the weather has been cold and snowy. Imogen went out into the garden with Dave last weekend to build a snowman, which she loved doing. Buster was bit confused with snowballs that disappear when the land though! Whether we'll have snow falling of Christmas Day for a truly white Christmas remains to be seen.

Obviously the true reason for Christmas is important to us. At the toddler service at church, all through December we've been reading about the different parts of the Christmas story - the birth, shepherds, kings - with a bit of a craft activity to go with it. Today we've been to a crib service with her, when she tried to have a closer look at baby Jesus by pulling him out of the crib, and tomorrow we're going to a communion service in the morning as well.

Imogen seems to get that something is going on, but doesn't understand what. It's all just very exciting for her to be with lots of people who love her and to be able to play with Molly and Charlie! I read her "Twas the night before Christmas..." at bedtime tonight, and we'll try and have some other calm times together, but I'm not overly hopeful!