We've survived the first half term - go us! (starting uni 2017)

[flyingpigsinclover]

New thread....we've got to the first half term!

How's everyone settling down for Christmas with their DC's home for the holidays? Nice to have them back isn't it? Though mine has gone out birdwatching with her father, and DS over at girlfriend's house. They did promise they might think about helping Santa out with stocking filling possibilities if they go to a shop!
I've not been out for a few days due to a nasty sickness bug, so relying on my Christmas elves to help out a bit this year!

DD went to buy DH's present for me and has wrapped it too. So helpful having her home

DS has a massive cold and cough. He's meant to be going out tonight with friends, so I hope he manages at least the meeting-in-the-pub part, as they're good friends from his sixth-form college.

He's been good company once we settled back in together. There's just the two of us.

I'm not speaking to OH (he lives nearby not with us thank god) as he's being a total stress-head. The silence has been oddly liberating.

Picked DS up today. Stuck of stale beer and had a huge hangover which doesn't happen often. I had to pack his (dirty) clothes or he would have come home only with the clothes he stood up in!
We got home, he got straight in the bath and then went to bed after refusing any food. Now his gf has turned up as they made plans for tonight. I dont think shes happy at the mo .
Oh its so good to have my boy home..

Anyone else barely seen their DC since they got back? Most of DS’s friends from school came back the same weekend or the weeks before him so he’s been constantly out. I’ve probably seen more of his gf than I have of him!

Same here Tabby. DD has been out every night since she got back last weekend. I have been working every day. Our paths sometimes crossed in the early evening.

Things seem to be winding down now. Most of them will be spending Christmas with their families.

Hardly seen dd either. she's managed to pick up a few shifts at work and the rest of time is split between being out seeing friends and sleeping . Wouldn't have it any other way.

We are just packing up ready to go and visit family over the next 3 days so we will have DDs' undivided attention! 1 has had tonsillitis but has recover enough to go out the last 3 nights. Both have been studying hard all week so are ready for some time away from their books. Presents all wrapped and in the car.
Have a lovely Christmas everyone

Yes same here - she's mainly been out or sleeping. Or studying as she has coursework and exams straight after Xmas. Though we had a family day out eith friends yesterday and will be doing the same today and Xmas day and then away for a few days...

Have a nice Christmas everyone! Enjoy having your DC home after their first semester ( enjoyed watching Monsters University earlier this evening, so have gone all American! )

Merry Christmas All!

Happy Christmas everyone. [santa]

Merry Christmas. No sign of DD waking up yet.

Ha! The incompatibility if having an 8 and 18 year old!!

Merry Christmas everyone we got woken by DD (15) at 9am...DS was less than polite in telling her to come back later...but as soon as I mentioned bacon butties he was down stairs. He’s currently preparing the sprouts and singing along to bing Crosby...while I enjoy a coffee. It’s syaryo to feel a lot like Christmas in the Dursley house xx

Glad it’s not just me whose DC basically avoids them then

Merry Christmas all!!! We’re on holiday with a few other families so DS has been entertaining us all with stories from his first term and comparing experiences with the other two who are at uni (all doing very different things in very different cities, interesting to hear!)

DD has been brill this Christmas, especially with thoughtful little pressies for everyone - turns out the reason we haven't seen much of her this week is she's been making something for DS - and is now helping her father get Christmas lunch ready for us all. Oven is newly mended so especially looking forward to our lovely roast potatoes this year!

Hope everyone has a lovely day and happy holidays!

DD's boyfriend spent some of Christmas Day with my family yesterday and she's attending a big family gathering of his today. He did confess to regretting taking a gap year and never going to uni. I think he's getting involved in their house share next year and moving his job to her uni city, so I hope nothing goes wrong.

He seems nice, so I'm happy for them if it all works out.

HSMMaCM. Your DD's boyfriend will need to investigate the Council tax situation if he is not a student. A house full of students pays no Council tax but if one occupant is not a student then they become liable for Council tax. My DS's house for next year includes all bills and the contract specifically states that the tenants must all be students for this (the CT)reason.

Thanks for that. Useful information.

Hope everyone is having a really good Christmas with their DC. Thanks for the update on your son's "friend" Lazydog. I did wonder after what you had posted before. It is so nice having DD home and we have done nice ordinary things together like going for bracing walks, and sale shopping. The new puppy has been a big hit with her, too. I think we must have been mad to get one. He looks adorable curled up on a cushion right now, but that's because he is asleep and not trying to chew everything he can reach.

simbobs - you can't post that and not attach a pupster-pic!!!

Re: ds's friend. He's currently waiting tables in a local restaurant. Not the restaurant owned by his mum...no... He's got a job at another one. The rebel

Re council tax, the council here have an exemption form and you fill in details of who the students are so you don't pay - I filled one in for my DD and so still get the single adult discount otherwise I'd be liable for when she is at home, at least that is what the council told me.

HSMMaCM - Hope it does work out for your dd and her boyfriend. I met dh at university and we've been together for 25 years this year I may be feeling extra soppy after a few drinks

Meant to say, I do see that they didn't meet at university. I was more focusing on the fact that meeting at a relatively young age isn't necessarily a bad thing. I'll shut up now.

It's ~9pm here, by the way, in case anyone thinks I'm boozing at breakfast time