December's Fledgling Flyers: Christmas time, swish and swipe and wine, flyers sing to the fat fairy rhyme.

[elliepac]

Welcome to the December Fledgling Flying thread.

From the 1st of the month we shall be decluttering and taming the chaos using baby steps, missions and zones. A great big thank you to DEM/DID who looked after us last month and did a fantabulous job

We are not strict followers of the fat fairy and take some of the babysteps wearing shoes indoors with a pinch of salt. Also advise against signing up for the fairy's emails.

All are welcome, jump on board for one of our three methods of chaos attack:

1. Baby steps
2. Baby steps and 15mins decluttering in current zone
3. Re-inforce the baby steps and daily mission

This month the fat fairy is gearing up for the feastive period. So I shall also post the christmas mission for those who wish are brave enough to look.

In here the motto is:

*"No perfection! Do what you can, but be realistic about what you can do."

Happy flying.

Have blitzed downstairs - carried boxes of toys upstairs, piled clutter on the dining-room table, hidden all our shoes in the shoe basket under a shelf and hoovered everywhere. It's definitely looking better. About to pile our presents under the tree, which will clear a cupboard to hide some of the clutter.

Plenty more to do, but at least I'm getting there. It helps to report back here - makes me feel as if I'm making progress.

Still - at least you will be having a white Christmas! Hope you manage to get a turkey for tomorrow, though. Fishfingers don't really go with breadsauce and cranberry sauce.

Arabella - Merry Christmas to you too.

Well done Toffee - it sounds like you're making brilliant progress. I, on the other hand, am sitting here drinking coffee and watching DH put together a photo calendar for my parents. (And I wonder why he gets fed up with me being on MN).

SC It sounds like you're enjoying the leisurely pace - it's not always a bad thing to be forced to slow down. Was thinking of you just now as DH has printed out a photo of the DC and me on the beach - with me in my bikini! - to use in the calendars. I have expressly forbidden him from doing so (I look awful).

Took the children (and DS's friend) to the puppet theatre this morning, which they all enjoyed. Now about to leave for church - DH has told me we need to leave in 3 minutes, so apologies for so few personal messages; will try to come back later to catch up with everyone else.

I on the other hand Toffee and Linzer sat on a bus in a traffic jam (last minute errands feeling very very looowww. Officially reached the I want to cancel Xmas stage.

back later when cup of tea has restored me to health.

Bikinis - [sob] those days are long gone...at least its too cold to even think I want to wear one

swan glad it's not just me, I feel a bit more chirpy than I did this morning, having managed to track down a last minute request from DD to Santa (a sleeping beauty toy), but the house is still untidy, the Yule log turned out like a strip of leather, so I have to do it again and the Christmas cake is still uniced. Serves me right. Hope you feel better after the well deserved cup of tea.

I peaked too early with the tidying, it was lovely on Wednesday and I got smug, now it's all gone pear shaped! That's my excuse anyway.

Glad to hear you're feeling brighter, MrsD. If it's any consolation (probably not), we have neither a Yule log nor a Christmas cake - I have decided to do Christmas Austrian-style, at least as far as the food is concerned, as it seems to be much less work (no cake, although plenty of biscuit baking beforehand - which I delegated to DH and the DC).

swan Sorry to hear you're feeling low; I hope the cup of tea helps. I've given up worrying about Christmas now as there's not much more I can do, but am still very frustated by the state of the house, esp. the amount of clutter we have. I tried to get rid of a baby play mat earlier, but DH insists that we need to keep it as a picnic blanket (we do have a picnic blanket, but it's not as soft apparently ).
Btw I didn't start wearing a bikini until I was in my mid-thirties and past caring.

The four candles on the Advent wreath are lit, the DC are watching another Christmas film and we're about to have a cup of tea before we have Christmas "dinner" and open a few presents.

maybe [whispers] it is just impossible to do Christmas with children in tow....[heretic comment] Toffee you must be blessed to have MIL at this moment!

anyway [German] Xmas Eve present exchange has gone moderately well - dh now has taken 2 dcs to church service where ds singing in choir, whilst I slog chirpily prepare all the food for tomorrow, including tonight's supper.

For the first time I've had the radio with carols on (usually I'm listening out for children so can't have it on in kitchen) It's very very nice..all my favourites and some of the original soundtracks from all those Christmas adverts

Parboiling parsnips now, made red cabbage, leek and mushroom crespelle filling, potato and celeriac soup, and boiled the beetroot for the side garnish! So I suppose that's not too bad...

burnt and just saved the parsnips LOL
Santa is yet to come...he brings presents English style tomorrow morning to stockings and under the tree and then parents and B and SIL coming to lunch.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!
signing off now till 27th I think..

Just dropping in to wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and to say thank you for all the chat and support this year xxx

Merry Christmas everyone, so sorry for going awol for best part of this month. Fighting off the flu with a little help from santas sherry

spuds done, prawns defrosting, sprouts ready to boil to bits, carrots, sweet tatties, turnip etc still to do, baloons blown up, presents wrapped bar two, sparkling fizz being drunk.

as ready as i ever will be for christmas, what i cant find a home for has been hidden, floor been mopped again.

im going to read up on all your organising and take notes where possible.

I wish you all a fabulous lovely christmas in whatever shape or form you may celebrate and hope you have lovely time with friends and family.

May Santa be good to you all.

Thank you for all your help and encouragement and friendship since Feb this year and i hope to see you all back here in the new year if not before.

Evening everybody. After a few last minute panics, an odd dash to the shops and restraint demonstrated where overexcited children are concerned, we are finally ready here.

I would like to say to you all that I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy all those fabulous family moments. It says a lot of the quality of the chatflying on here that I feel like I have known some of you a lifetime and count you as real friend despite the whole never meeting you obstacle.

I shall be back on boxing day, ready to shine my sink. .

Happy Christmas xxxxxx

Good evening all, just a quick message to wish you all the best christmas ever (I hope ), as I doubt I'll get time to come on to MN tomorrow!

I have been so rushed I've had no chance to post, but ds is so much better you'd never guess he'd got us so worried. Sadly, dp is now bunged up and coughing. He's made himself a hot toddy and hopefully he'll be fine tomorrow. (Must be the brandy )

We're having Christmas at home with all the gps, with my dad ferrying MIL around.

The only task left to do is the dcs stockings to fill (well, I am cooking the dinner, but I've got as much prepped as possible so it should be fine tomorrow).

So, as I'm knackered (after being too busy watching the film 300 last night, must be all the muscley boddies ), I'm signing off and going for a rare early night.

Just going off to bed, but just wanted to check in here and see how everyone's been getting on. Looks as if you are all ready for Christmas now.

Haven't stopped all day, yet I'm still not getting an early night. Never mind, downstairs is tidy and festive, the breakfast table is laid (with surprise mini crackers for everyone), presents are under the tree and I have already made the stuffing and stewed some apple for DS1 (he wants it instead of Xmas pud). Have a timetable for the cooking tomorrow, so, hopefully, it will work out OK.

Just off to fill the stockings.

Will see you all after Christmas.

Merry Christmas to you all

Happy Christmas everyone.

It's Christmas part 2 here today (the British part) - we had our Austrian Christmas yesterday evening, but have kept about half the presents back to open today and will be having a British Christmas dinner (albeit minus the turkey!).

Didn't expect to be able to post on here today, but I have a window of oppportunity, whilst DC watch Xmas telly and MIL and DH are still asleep.

Woken up at 6 by DC. We could hear them on the monitor. DS2 has a bit of a cold and was snuffly, so DS1 fetched him some Vicks and rubbed it on his chest - he was being so sweet to him (he's not usually!). After that, there was obviously no way they were going back to sleep, so I went upstairs to watch them opening their stockings. I love this! I'm not sure how everyone else kept sleeping with all the shrieks and laughter from the boys.

We came downstairs and DS2 started whining that he wanted to open the presents under the tree (after breakfast, I told him). Then he wailed, "I'm bored!" Honestly. Fortunately, he was distracted by children's telly. Not for the first time, I was grateful for it.

Have just made the rosemary and onion skewers to stick in the turkey thighs (should have garlic, but MIL hates it so we are, sadly, a garlic-free household at present). The stuffing is all ready in the fridge. Have taken the turkey out so it's at room temperature. Dressed and had breakfast. Am now sitting at my Xmas breakfast table on my own, waking for everyone to wake up.

I hope you all have a wonderful day today. Merry Christmas!

Happy Christmas everyone! Early one here for the first time ever, 5 am.

Have a wonderful day!

Just waiting for the kettle to boil. DCs woke up at the civilized hour of 8am and were delighted with the contents of the stockings. I've just been outside to feed the birds, this is the first white Christmas we've had in this house (10 years) and it is very peaceful outside.

Had a lovely baking session with the DCs last night, decorated the Christmas cake, made mince pies and a replacement Yule log which appears to be a lot less leathery than my first effort. Kettle's boiled, better go.

Have a very Happy Christmas everyone.

Happy Christmas Everyone

Awoken at civilised time and have been pottering around eating chocolate in bed, opening presents and playing with various toys. Had planned a quiet bath at some point but was joined by small boy and Playmobil speedboat, at least we are both clean now

Grabbing a quick minute before bread is done then a bit of lunch before sorting out dinner and opening more pressies. Even have blue sky and sunshine to make the snow look lovely - not going out in it though.

Enjoy your day

Merry Christmas everyone

Starter has been consumed! 3 bird combo in oven, pil asleep on couch, Dd asleep in bed. Calpol administered to all in sundry, toys strewn all over the floor.

I love Christmas off to put Tatties in oven for roasting in an attempt not to fall asleep on couch!

Have a fab rest of day (must say over snow on Christmas day

[sneaks back on whilst everyone watching Dr Who]

Ds1 (10) woke at midnight and started opening stocking claiming he had seen Santa cue dh getting very very irate I think we are now in the Santa does exist but he is also Mummy and Daddy ifsyim

Dd delighted with her roller blades - she has worn them all day with floral welly socks a silver mini skirt and a bright yellow cardigan! SIL embroidered and baked the most amazing homemade presents for us (baby due any day) I felt like I was on the 3rd phase of parenthood - and given up everything that requires physical and mental effort except long walks and homework but it was very heartwarming to receive all these beautiful homemade gifts. I think dd was very inspired by the sewing too and ds2 by the three d glasses and invisible pen in his hand embroidered mini-stocking!

Also cooked enormous quantities of homemade food I suppose - 7 different kinds of veg

We have just watched How to Train Your Dragon, and are feeling very mellow and carefree. Relations have gone home

Dh and I have still not exchanged presents though...there doesn't seem to have been any time in between building Hogwart's Lego Trains, stopping dd from slipping and plying relations with drink..

Have had a lovely relaxing day here, although it felt like a cross between Christmas Day and Boxing Day - for most Austrians, Christmas is already over so we had a phone call from the ski school to check some details and DD2's friend's mum phoned this morning to ask if she wanted to go over to play.

I ended up having quorn sausages for Christmas dinner but at least my roast potatoes turned out OK this year. Only DH wanted the pigs in blankets I'd made and none of the DC wanted Christmas pudding, so I was quite glad I hadn't made too much of an effort in the end.

Otherwise, lots of Lego building and game playing going on; the fact that we didn't have Christmas dinner with all the trimmings didn't seem to bother anyone apart from me in the slightest. (But I do wish I'd been a bit more organised wrt the food.) Have now started packing for our trip back to the UK, where I know there will be lots of good food.

Sounds as if you have all had a lovely, happy Christmas Day .

Christmas lunch went very well - the turkey was cooked and not dry, the Jamie Oliver stuffing was lovely, the potatoes cooked in goose fat were extra crispy. I based my timings on Flylady's recommendations, which really helped. She even told me when to lay my table. The other thing that helped me was not starting on the wine until after the meal was cooked!

Unfortunately, DH has been feeling really ill (a fluey thing) and had to go back to bed after the present opening this morning, but he managed to come down for lunch. He looked really rough, poor thing, but still dutifully put on his flashing-light Santa hat! Usually I get cross frustrated when he is ill, but he is so obviously feeling terrible that I did feel sorry for him.

I lasted till 3.30pm, then fell asleep on the sofa whilst we were watching 'The Grinch'. DS2 climbed onto me and wriggled so much that I sneaked upstairs to bed instead and slept for two hours. (I must have been good company for DH).

The children seem really happy with their presents. DS1 is delighted with his 'new' computer (actually, second hand) in spite of it, worryingly, overheating and crashing several times. DS2 kept saying, "This is the best Christmas Day I've ever had!"

We ended the day with the boys sharing a green-goo bath (I'd given them a box of that stuff that turns the water into goo). They loved it and it was especially lovely to see them having fun together (they often play separately, thanks to the six-year age gap).

Am planning to take it easy tomorrow. No chores, no washing and definitely no cooking (just leftovers and paper plates).

MrsDingDong - how lovely that you have had a white Christmas. All our snow has melted now . I love the sound of all the Christmas baking you did.

Feet at you having a 'relaxing' bath with small boy and Playmobil boat.

Nettie - hope Tatties and bird turned out well and that DD woke up in time. Did you get a nap later?

Swan - at your DS opening his stocking at midnight! I am in awe at your cooking - how on earth did you manage to cook seven types of vegetable? I was hard pressed to find enough saucepans and space on the cooker for three! The homemade presents sound amazing. Err, btw....whose baby is due any day? Yours or SIL's? Have I missed something?

Linzer - glad you have had a relaxing day. It must take some getting used to, though, that the Austrians treat it as if Christmas is over. When are you coming back to Britain?

DH and DS1 are watching Dr Who (recorded from earlier), DS2 is fast asleep and MIL has gone to bed. Am going to enjoy some me-time before having to get DS2 up to bed.

still no viruses here touchwood..although dd said she felt dizzy at bedtime [?? beginning of flu?)

we are meant to be going to Eire on 27th with my parents too soon really, but tickets booked in an optimistic money saving moment 2 months ago. So need to clear kitchen up properly, not looking forward to that.

Toffee cheesy parsnips, sesame broccoli salad, red cabbage, roast potatoes, sprouts and chesnuts, celery and apple and pecan stuffing, leek and mushrooom pancakes, and green salad. And turkey. And celeriac soup to start. I have indigestion!
That does sound a contented day Toffee and Linzer

SIL baby so a lot of talk from my parents about breastfeeding; whether it was worth doing or not...bonding, parenting...Gina Ford (which my SIL had never heard of) Poor SIL

Well, tucked up in bed, at my parents (we come over for dinner and stay, then straight off to ILs for a couple of days tomorrow).

Lovely to read all your tales of today, this thread is such a nice place to be.

Watched Shrek and snoozed on the sofa, DCs have been very good and have hd a lovely day, they were delighted with their presents, I have loads more Playmobil to build when we get home thanks to Grandparents, all nice. Around teatime DS climbed onto my lap and said it was the best Christmas ever. Awww.

Hope DH feels better soon Toffee.

Night, night.