What a wonderful day we have had!!! Thank you - you have truly enriched our experience of Christmas this year
The dds were absolutely astounded by what was under the tree when they came down this morning! Dd2 got a guitar from Santa (with a little help from some generous mumsnetters ) and she keeps saying "I can't believe Santa brought me a guitar for Christmas!!" It is bright blue, half-size and comes with its own case, pitch pipes and strap. She has already had it out twice to play it . Dd1 got lots of little things that she had asked for. One of the things the dds were most taken with in the stockings were two tiny teddies (mumsnet again!) - they keep getting them out to play with!
The rest of the presents we put under the tree and explained to the dds where they had come from - the first thing they said (before they opened them) was, "Can we put a thread on mumsnet to say thank you?" awww! Dd1 is currently in her pink fleece mumsnet pyjamas and is not getting dressed today , dd2 is wearing a beautiful black dress with a little cream bow (again, mumsnet) and pretending she is a teenager . Other big hits were a box of lego with a complicated house to build, and Sylvanian families - they have not had them before and I think they will both be asking for Sylvanian stuff for birthdays for some time to come!!
Ds was great - at 16 months we thought he would be more interested in the paper but no - once he understood that if you took the paper off there was a toy underneath, there was no stopping him! His stocking was full of stacking cups (thanks to another mumsnet santa!) which were a big hit. He also got a lovely wooden animal jigsaw from another mumsnetter that he loved so much he went down for a nap whilst still clutching the sheep in his hand
And dh and I got presents too! Dh got a radio/torch and a photography magazine, and I got some beautiful variegated wool and bamboo needles, plus a lovely Rowan book of vintage knits which I am dying to have a go at!! I will be asking for advice on what to make with the wool later
The dds, at 8 and 9, are old enough to appreciate the time and effort (and expense!!) that all you generous people have gone to. I have only mentioned a few things on here - we were given much more, and it is all so gratefully received! Hopefully we will post some pics up some time soon so you can see what we have been up to . But I just wanted you all to share in a little bit of today's happiness (ok I will pull back on the schmaltz now, blame pg hormones )