Christmas Food Shop

Today was the day we did our Christmas food shop! Now, I have never properly been on a Christmas food shop but as we are having everyone round here for Christmas my Mum and I have been organising what we are going to have and need to get etc.

We spoke first thing this morning, and she really wasn't keen on going. We both knew that we wanted to go either today or tomorrow as we felt that Sainsbury's would have been a bit hectic if we decided to put it off any later! Eventually we decided it would be a good idea to go today and get it all over and done with.

First thing we did when we got to Sainsbury's, to prepare ourselves of course, also Alice and I hadn't had breakfast, was go to our favourite place! Starbucks of course. I'm going to tell you now I had my camera with me but didn't take any photos, I don't think anyone really wants to relive a Christmas shop through photos if I'm honest haha!

We managed just under an hour in Starbucks before we decided that we should go and tackle it! The thought of it had filled me with dread as we both knew it wasn't going to be easy whilst we had a 2 year old with us as well!

In total we spent a good hour going around the shop picking up everything we needed, including a Disney Princess magazine and some Smarties Cookies to keep Alice happy!

I cannot tell you just how exhausted I felt after all of that! I was extremely out of breath, I do forget just how heavily pregnant I am! I'm a lot smaller than I was when I was carrying Alice so for me to stop and go "take it easy you are 38 weeks pregnant" doesn't really happen a lot!

Once we got back to our house, my Mum helped us unload the bags from the car and then she was off again on her many errands. I swear she is like Super Woman some days. I really just don't know how she does it all!

I wasn't going to allow myself to rest as we had plenty of things that needed to go in the freezer so my first port of call was to unpack all of the shopping so that I didn't have to worry about it at a later point. I managed it a lot quicker than I expected! It felt good to have it all out of the way. I honestly don't think I have ever had a freezer as jam packed as I do right now!

I also now have my baking things all sorted now. I am cheating I must admit! I'm using cake mixes rather than making it all by scratch but I really don't think I want to be making cakes from scratch on Christmas Eve with everything else that will be going on!

Once I had everything put away it was time to relax, well as much as I can with a 2 year old about the house! We were putting on her jewellery from her Disney Princess magazine and looking at bits from a Cinderella gift bag that we got. It was going to be saved for Christmas but unfortunately Mummy wasn't too bright whilst hiding it in the trolley and she ended up sticking out and being quite noticeable!!

But once she started to get tired she relaxed a little.

Whilst Alice was having her nap my friend Sam came over and we just sat and chatted for ages about all sorts. The time went past and the next thing I knew it was 4:15pm and little miss was still sleeping! I feel horrible when I have to wake her up from her nap but it was getting close to dinner time and I really didn't fancy having an extremely late night after last night!

As soon as she came downstairs and saw Sam, well she calls him Uncle Sam, that was it! He was dragged off to play and all sorts. I came into the kitchen at one point to find there were stickers on the kitchen counter!

He is extremely good and plays anything she wants. She can so easily wrap people around her finger it's quite funny!

Anyway I think it's time I headed off to bed. Hope you all have/ had a good day :)

Claire
xx

I Love A Latte

This morning Alice allowed me to have a lie in as she didn't wake up until 8:45, I normally get woken up at 6am. After looking at the time I panicked as her Daddy was supposed to be coming to pick her up at 9 so I text him asking if he didn't mind picking her up from about 9:30 - 10 as I needed time to get Alice ready to go and pack her bag! Luckily he didn't mind at all, so we played a little before I got her all dressed and ready.

During our play she was telling me that Cinderella and Snow White were both sad because they missed each other. So I told her that maybe they should have a cuddle, next thing I know I see this. This was the closest she could get them to cuddle, but whilst they were cuddling she decided to start playing with something else.

 

Not long after I finally got Alice dressed and bag packed her Daddy turned up to take her to play for a few hours. I had decided that I would do some organising and wrapping of presents whilst she was away. That didn't happen. I ended up watching the Food Network and doing a few bits on my laptop. Not very productive of me I must admit!

Next thing I know I'm finding myself quite fancying a Costa Praline and Cream Latte, also knowing that I could get a free one with my Costa card points made it even more tempting and next thing I know I am getting my coat and shoes on before heading out the door! Just before I left I had remembered that the Christmas fair was on in town. This unfortunately meant that there was no way I was going to be able to sit in Costa to have my coffee, especially around lunch time. I was still adamant that I was going to have my coffee so I decided I would just have to get it to take away.

After getting into town I couldn't resist popping into my work to say hello to whomever happened to be working. My friend Rachele was working so I talked to her for a little bit before she had to go to the till as the shop was rather busy. I ended up having a browse through the Christmas books, as I always want to see if there is anything I might like to get for Alice. I just knew I would end up walking out of the shop with something! Note to any book lovers, it is absolutely fatal when you work in a book shop. The book I found was Christmas Decorations to Cut, Fold & Stick it was just too adorable to not get!

I had to leave soon after I bought that as I didn't want to end up buying much more. Whilst in town my friend Sam text me asking if I was up to much and next thing I know he's meeting me in town and coming along to get a Costa. Unfortunately it was only a brief meet up as I needed to go home to be back in time for Alice coming home. 

The Christmas fair wasn't very festive in my opinion and it seems to me that it just ends up being like a French market but with added rides and some Christmas music being played in the background.

But my Praline and Cream Latte made it all worth while ;)

Once I got to the front door of the house next thing I do is look up to see Craig arriving back with Alice. I then had to try and get the door open so that she could actually come inside, I'm still not really used to the lock on the front door but I'm sure I'll get the hang of it soon enough.

We were home for about an hour before my Mum came over to pick us up as I needed to go back to the flat to hand over the keys to the Landlord. We popped in to say hello to my Grandparents first and it is so lovely to see both of their faces light up as soon as they see Alice. It is very hard not to love this daughter of mine and she brings smiles to so many peoples faces it is so lovely to see.

Once we got to my Mum's it wasn't long before my Dad made an appearance to see his granddaughter. Lots of tickles and lots of laughter was coming from the both of them.

My Dad then took me to the flat so I could hand over the keys to the Landlord. She was very impressed with how well we had cleaned the flat and that was that. I no longer have any access to the flat. It is all over and now we can get on with enjoying our house. 

Alice and I ended up spending the evening at my parents house, which happens quite a lot when we go there. My Mum ended up showing me a few things on Photoshop Elements and I managed to get some of my December Daily pages done. Once they are printed out I shall do a post on them. But for now all I can say is that I am doing them and you will see them as soon as I manage to get them onto pages rather than on my laptop :)

Claire

xx

Chill Out Sunday

Today has been a very chilled out day, just what I like on a Sunday.

We woke up to quite a frosty morning outside. Alice wanted to go out and play but I decided it would be best if we waited a little bit before going outside as the decking looked incredibly slippery.

Luckily she wasn't bothered by it at all and decided playing with her Fischer Price Princess Castle was just as good.

We called Grandma to see how the Jason Mraz concert was last night. From what she was saying it was absolutely amazing, but I couldn't speak to her for too long as Alice decided she would rather chat to her on the phone instead.

After we did have a quick Skype call with her but Alice didn't seem too bothered about talking to Grandma on Skype so we didn't chat for long but did decide that she should come and see Alice later on.

I looked around for some more Christmas decorations around the house so that I can put them up tonight whilst Alice is sleeping. I have to do this as when I try to decorate whilst Alice is around she would rather play with the decorations and she wants to dictate where everything goes. That's what I get for having a strong-minded 2 year old.

I eventually found our Christmas wreath and it's hanger to hang on the door but as I quickly found out the hanger won't fit around our door properly, which isn't much help for me :(

Alice enjoyed looking at the berries on it and thought the "candles" were brilliant, especially as when she blew them they went out ;)

At about 3pm Alice had woken up from her nap and Grandma was coming over to take us back to hers for dinner as it is my cousin Max's last day in the UK before he heads off to Australia to join his Dad and his Dad's girlfriend out there. Once we got there obviously Grandpa wanted to come say hello to Alice which then turned into him being told to play around with a ball. Next thing you know Alice has Grandpa throwing the ball onto the ceiling, seriously!!

Next thing you know she even has Grandma having a go. Unfortunately Grandma isn't as good at it as Grandpa is.

Whilst there I got offered a mince pie, which I just couldn't turn down as I haven't had one so far this year. As it is December this had to be rectified as soon as possible ;)

Whilst we sat down with our mince pies Alice decided that we should watch Cinderella. This is one of her all time favourite movies, she loves to sing along with it and Grandma enjoys watching it just as much as she does I feel.

When the time came Grandma and Auntie Em went out to go and get kebabs for our dinner so Alice and I just chilled out at their house. As we were chilling out on the couch I thought I'd try and get a nice picture of us..... Alice had other ideas haha. I also don't think it's the most flattering one of me but I couldn't not put up this hilarious face!

Alice is quite the character, if you couldn't quite tell. She loves an audience and what better way of getting an audience than whilst we are all sitting down in the lounge having our dinner. She can wrap anyone around her little finger if she wants to. Tonight she decided that she was going to shout "Boo" and everyone has to get a fright. Obviously her audience was willing to play along, and who couldn't with such a sweet face like hers.

 

Before Alice and I went home we decided it would be a good idea to get a picture of the 4 cousins together beforehand as this will be the last time we are all together for at least a year.

We said our farewells, Alice just said bye as usual as she doesn't really understand what is going on. Good Luck with your flight tomorrow Max! We hope you get to Australia safely and we hope to hear from you soon.

Claire
xx