We think it's all over...

God Christmas doesn't half go on does it? The actual day was fairly relaxed, well as it ever is with a toddler and a baby, but it was just the 4 of us. I was the perfect Christmassy housewife/mother (there's a first for everything); slow cooked the coq au vin for about 14 hours - our oven is broken of course (it's a law of science that the oven/heating/dishwasher will break down over Christmas), I'd wrapped the presents, delegated the tree buying/decorating to him indoors (he wasn't quite sure how the ribbon was used so it looked a bit like an accident in a haberdashers but the thought was there). So all was good. Naturally no.1 daughter wanted fish fingers for lunch and I lost my domestic goddess credentials after burning not 2 but 4, then finally gave up and scraped the burnt bits off. She ended up joining us in a bit of Coq and then fell asleep for most of the afternoon. Result! She was delightful as was the baby and him indoors. We had a lovely lovely day.

So Boxing day we're down at my sister's pub, which is lovely (The Bull at Benenden in Kent if you fancy it - great carvery on a Sunday cooked by my brother in law's own fair hand). I have about one million nieces and nephews who are all under the age of 12 so it was lively to say the least. My toddler loved it, everyone was getting merry and we couldn't beat 'em so joined 'em in several beverages and the day was a wonderful success. Well done big sis!

Charades into the night (well about 10 pm but that's pretty late for old Larry Lightweight here), then joined no.1 daughter in bed for most of the night as she got a bit scared in her cousin's 'big' bed (not quite big enough for Mummy though, hence the crunched shoulders and best Quasimodo impression). All in all a lovely time was had by all.

Back in town and my best friend who I see far too rarely came to stay, on a whistle stop trip from his new home in Singapore. He's godfather to the toddler and the perfect example of godly leadership and is sure to teach her the ways of the lord. He's also a gay atheist. Well he's bursting with love for her and I adore him so therefore he was a great choice frankly. We watched Bruno - holy cow! Bit too much for my sensibilities.

'I do it Self!' is the latest statement from no.1 daughter. This goes for walking down the stairs (great), using a fork (excellent), cutting up raw chicken (ok I stopped there). She is fiercely independent, yet incredibly clingy at the same time. Amazing. She wants Mummy all the time (and Daddy today actually), but wants to do everything herself. It's extraordinary how a 2 year old can manage this feat in conflicting desires. But she does it pretty well. She makes me laugh every hour of every day. She has better comic timing than any overpaid BBC 1 'comedian'. The baby meanwhile has sprung her first tooth. Hurrah! Does this mean the first full night's sleep in oh about 3 months? I bloody hope so. I got terribly excited when I saw it in Sainsbury's today as I was pushing her about in her carseat in the trolley. I exclaimed as much rather loudly since him indoors was pushing the toddler around in her own trolley. What a lovely family day out to Sainsbury's. Clearly it must be Christmas. Next week we'll be back to me doing it with children, balancing the basket on top of the Phil & Ted's whilst dodging the biscuit aisle.

So only New Year's eve to get through till normal life resumes, well sort of, we then have 'The Move' to tackle. Maybe then I can give my liver a rest - I am optimistically and somewhat misguidedly hoping to give up the booze for January. Whether I achieve it or not remains to be seen (unlikely but I can try). Also quite tricky since him indoors seems to be permanently stocking up the cupboard with gorgeous wines 'because it's Christmas'. Oh well, as I said before if you can't beat 'em, join 'em!