Birthday bedlam
Great to hear from you Jo! Like Helen, I was wondering where everyone had got to. ‘Maybe they’re all busy doing their Christmas shopping’, I thought, or writing Christmas cards. Or maybe they’ve all escaped to the middle of nowhere to avoid the Christmas craziness. Speaking of craziness, why did I have both my children so close to Christmas? What were we thinking?! It is only now that I realise the folly of my ways. Here is what happens in our family:
November: my birthday (a big and important event of course :-)
December 7th: Oslo’s birthday
December 25th: Christmas Day
January 4th: Louie’s birthday
February 27th: Ed’s birthday!
One after the other! And with the stress of deciding what to do for New Year’s Eve thrown in there as well… total mayhem. So yes, yesterday was Oslo’s turn and I hope he will agree that it was a lovely, lovely day. We started out with a walk in the morning. The night before there was a really heavy frost, the heaviest so far this year, and all the leaves on the ground were crisp and crunchy with a beautiful rim of white frost around the outside. I tried to take some pictures but they haven’t done it justice. Instead I’ll show you a picture of the frost on our car, so you can see just how thick it was:
Then in the afternoon we had a little tea party for Ozzy and all his baby friends and their parents and his grandparents and even his famous canoe-paddling Great-Granny who some of you will remember from a post I wrote a few months ago. We had cake, of course, and pizza and sandwiches and fruit salad and balloons. It was fab.
So now that’s over I can turn my attention to Christmas. I have a feeling it’s going to require an almost military approach in order to get everything decorated, bought, made, wrapped, sent, cooked, opened and eaten on time. So far we are halfway through making our Christmas cards, having already missed the international deadline for post to arrive before Christmas :-( Maybe we should make them New Year’s cards instead. I’ve been having some trouble coming up with ideas for presents for Ed and my Dad. Interestingly, every thing I think of I think – ooh! I could get that for both of them! But somehow I don’t think Ed will be too pleased if he realises that they have both received exactly the same gifts, given that there are more than 30 years between them. Any ideas, dear readers and fellow bloggers?
As for Christmas carols, Helen, I have to say that I’m not a huge fan of them. Talk about being overplayed! :-) My absolute least favourite Christmas carol has got to be Jingle Bells. It’s so catchy it stays in my head for days, weeks, months on end and just as I’ve managed to stop singing it… it’s time for next Christmas and the whole things begins again. My top tip for Christmas carols, if we must have them (and I suppose we should really), is Elvis Presley. We have a longstanding family tradition of listening to ‘Elvis sings Christmas’ and somehow he manages to make them sound quite bearable.
Okay, time to head downstairs to help Ed tidy up after the party.
I’ll write more with news of my trip to Madrid, if not before.
Xxx Amy
Comments
Hi Amy! It sounds Oslo had a scrumptious birthday party surrounded by his family and friends.I am quite sure that having his great grandma at his birthday was just the icing on the cake for him.It's so nice to see her well. I wish her to have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,too.Amy,I have same problems like you every year as my husband and our son's birthday are near Chrismas and at the beginning of January so I am struggling what to buy for them.My son's school is having a Christmas Show on my husband birthday so I think it will be the best birthday present that he has ever had .After then we are meeting some of family at a local hotel and we wine and dine him.Nice to see you again hope things will turn out what you wish for. See you againxxx
Hello Amy! Hey, may I set up at the end of the row? I am a big fan of your family! Men take so seriously their duties and Great-Granny is absolutly special one. Lovely! And good tip on Elvis Presley. Excited for the Madrid trip!
Now I can see where the winter moved from our country… Dear Amy! Pleased to find you here again. I followed your last blog, so I can even recognize some faces on your photos :) So first of all – my congratulations to Oslo! And my admiration to a mother-heroine, who manages to provide cakes and presents for all the holidays from your list and who survives after all these preparations :) Hold on, Christmas comes only once a year!
Hi Amy, To me, it's quite amazing to see the thick frog on your car. we don't have a crazy x'mas in my house, there is no snow in Taiwan, and the Christmas seems to connect with the snow. What I can do in the Christmas month is to read your entries of Christmas. Best wishes, James.
Hi Amy, so nice to hear from you, I also have missed the international deadline for post to arrive before Christmas, but it is the thought that matters! At least that is what I tell myself. I just hope my friends in far away places know that. As I already said, so nice to hear from you and see that your dear one are well and happy, and if you do not mind me saying so, your household seems to be so very on the go. Happy Xmast and my best to your Granny.
Hi Amy! My father and Louie are Capricorn. My father's birthday is on December 26th and it is also his name day...Stefano/Stephan. Yes, my grandparents did not think too much when they decided the name of my father. LoL What do you usually do on New Year's Eve? Do you let off fireworks? Before becoming parents, what did you usually do? Did you go to the disco or do something special on 31/12? Have a safe trip and talk to you soon!!
Hi Amy, First of all happy birthday to your son Oslo. It looks that you've started the ball rolling and will keep it till 4rth Jan -:). I think your family had the perfect day. Oslo is lucky to have all his family on his birthday party. This time you will celebrate your christmas in Madrid? As for the presents why dont you bought a bottle of an expensive wine, the one they like alot:). Do you like my idea?. Ok, have a nice and marvellous christams and Newyear :). Bye bye.
Hello Amy! I like seeing your photos. What a happy family you are! How lucky you are to be together. Let me wish you a Happy Belated Birthday! Best wishes,
So good...someone gave me more time to write more comments. :-) Amy your pictures are absolutely wonderful, especially the one at the river banks.
Hi dear Amy .Congratulation on Oslo 's first birthday ! Both of your lovley kids have grown up a lot . Sorry for not commenting on your Blogs . I 'm so busy with my three monthes new born . Have a wram and nice christmas . kisses
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