The lead up to Christmas.....

What a busy week and weekend! Tess finished school on Wednesday and Tom had his last day ever at kindy on Thursday. He was actually quite sad about it which was quite touching. On Friday we had Leanne, Angie and kids round at our house for a party which included some gingerbread men decorating - the boys were beside themselves when they gave the gingerbread men "boobies" - I can't believe how young it starts!!

(be grateful you don't have friends who make things like this for fun!)

On Saturday we went round to the Jamos for a christmas lunch. Julia was on top "Martha Stewart" form with the most amazing chocolate christmas trees which were for the kids - what a waste! We knew we were having turkey and salad for lunch and on Friday night post twilight there was a certain amount of concern between us and the Mennies as to whether Julia was doing potatoes. It was suggested I should bring some roast ones just in case but luckily she made a potato galette so everyone was happy!

The kids were very excited to be opening presents before Christmas and I think the favourite one was Hunter's remote control car although Jules kept us very amused with his attempts to make a plane from Fletcher's meccano set (and he was following the instructions!). I love Fletcher's look of pure joy at having 2 large presents to open! We got home at 7.30 and Jules fell asleep on Tom's bed whilst putting him to sleep.

On Sunday Jules spent some time packing his bags for the Sydney-Hobart and we went down to CYC to show the kids St Jude and to put his stuff on board. It's scary to see how the kids only just fit into the bunks that the crew are supposed to sleep in!

(Jules is holding a receptacle that one wees into on account of not being able to stand upright during the race!)

Once we got home, to get us into the Christmas mood we decorated the gingerbread house together. I have to admit that I prefer doing it with a bottle of wine and a group of girlfriends but the kids did an amazing job (I'm beginning to understand that more is more with gingerbread houses) and Jules got stuck in too!