November 2012 - The run up to our babies' first 'proper' Christmas

[StuntNun]

Previous thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/postnatal_clubs/1927883-November-2012-Oh-Christmas-tree-oh-Christmas-tree-your-ornaments-are-history

My mum bought DS1 and DS2 an iPad Mini for their tenth and seventh birthdays. What a disaster! They spend too much time watching YouTube. We keep finding DS1 using his late at night because we've forgotten to take it off him or worse, he has stolen it back to play games all night. I've had to ban them in the car because I felt the two of them were losing their ability to entertain themselves without a device in their hands - they weren't happy just looking out of the window or making conversation. Now I'm worrying about DS2's reading as he's behind in school, but how is he going to develop a love of books if he's permanently attached to his iPad? I do think they are good overall but their use has to be strictly monitored and limited.

We're in full present-opening swing here, about halfway through but taking a break to play with toys (DS1 and DS2), have a nap (J) and arrange the catering (DH and muggins here).

Happy Christmas everyone!

Merry Christmas quiche! I hope you all have a lovely day. All round xx

Guess who got up at 05:30 I tried to get him to back to sleep, I even tried sleeping in my bad,But no. So he's opened most of his presents, and was very excited to see all the new toys, but also not sure. He seemed very confused, bless him.

He's now asleep, as has tired himself out. I'm dressed and just chilling.

Thank you all for getting my life back.
Evil

My secret Santa is a genius. Thank you, it's brilliant..

Thank you Secret Santa! Xx

I'm wide awake and too excited to go back to sleep. No one else is though! I'm so excited to see how everyone likes their presents! I got L one of those little push cars Merry Christmas to all!

DD1 loved The Snowman. I hereby consider her upbringing a success

Am now sobbing at the Snowman and The Snowdog

Having a nice day Nicely tipsy while O naps. Dinner was him and my homemade Yule log went down well

Venison in the oven, none of us are hungry and both girls running temperatures. They loved their presents though. Tomorrow: housework.

Present idea for next birthdays: I got LO an aquadoodle. She loves it but will grow into it I think. Non messy creative fun.

Hope everyone has had a lovely day. M and I have been well and truly spoiled

And I have just committed the ultimate cardinal sin of sale shopping on Christmas day, and managed to bags myself a new hoover that I have been lusting over I am this sad for ages down from £200 to £40!!!!

Off to put a hyper/grumpy/irrational baby to bed.

Merry Christmas quiche xxx

What was in the sparkley pressies. isles ?

We have had a lovely relaxed day. Dinner went really well after present opening and mummy downing rather a lot of Champagne during the dinner cooking process. everything is now cleared up an put away and I am ready for tea despite my tummy bulging at the seams I love Christmas Day tea. Cheese board, crusty bread, chutney, more wine and, well, more wine.

Oh and duck egg blue boxes!

Just opened my ss, was saving it, thankyou to my Santa, my gift is fabulous and looks yummy! I love the 'quichemas' touch added ;)

Hello all. Thank you v much secret Santa! I love it!

We've had a lovely day - I hope everyone else has too. DH and DSis were epic sous chefs running around like blue arsed flies - a great help - DBIL and his Ma weren't even capable of getting themselves drinks or keeping the kids out of a busy kitchen. So spoilt and unhelpful I don't know how my sis copes! But the rest of us had a lovely day. Jonas' favourites were the sugar mouse and maracas in his stocking and a xylophone shape sorter. And climbing everything. He even got up onto the dining table!

DH has outdone himself - we had a strict £50 budget as we're saving up for a wood burner and maybe a nice family holiday too, but he'd remembered so many things I'd loved over the year and made me a dairy free stocking (booja booja dairy free truffles are amazing!). As well as pressies under the tree he always gives me a parcel in bed with something naughty / romantic in it. This year, he put a cat onesie on top of my frillies and jewellery. I am a onesie convert! It does officially spell the death of my core muscles though as there isn't even any pretence at holding my belly in in it!

Evil it is very confusing to a young toddler. DD2 only really 'gets' Christmas this year, at age 3. She had no recollection of last year, and still got really quite stressed by it all. It is lovely to hear you have got your life back, but it was you that did it. It was you that did the incredibly brave thing of leaving. You deserve to be happy, and cherished. And so does N x

Off to see ill MIL tomorrow, so I may be off the radar for a few days. Not looking forward to the drive, or the visiting, but will be staying with some lovely friends, so that is a bonus.

I have a onesie. From DH. I will look like a sausage.

Safe trip vq

Yes, Christmas generally ends in tears until what, 5, 6, 15, 34?

I did the tears yesterday... Stupid brother and DP and a bottle of whiskey.

Today has been ace... L has been on amazing form and was spoilt rotten. My bro bought him an ipotty!!!!!

Big love to the whole quiche.

Wondering whether to do the next sale tomorrow?

Hello everyone. Merry Christmas! Early New Years. resolution to keep up with thread. Thank you to my Secret Santa too. Had lovely day with parents and inlaws. H had no interest in any present (other than a humming top thing for 5 mins). All he really wanted was a biro to carry round the house pausing to try and scribble on random things (his favourite occupation this week). Going to go and eat lots of chocolate now ...

Hello everyone. Merry Christmas! Early New Years. resolution to keep up with thread. Thank you to my Secret Santa too. Had lovely day with parents and inlaws. H had no interest in any present (other than a humming top thing for 5 mins). All he really wanted was a biro to carry round the house pausing to try and scribble on random things (his favourite occupation this week). Going to go and eat lots of chocolate now ...

Oops, double Christmas wishes then

Boxing Day tomorrow.
I'm going to have a nice sip of mead, after tomorrow afternoon I won't see my son till Friday lunchtime. it's because I'm working tomorrow night.

Evil

Well the venison was good.

We had a couple of hours of happy children. So better than last year. No actual worrying which helps, just a general oh-illness-do-go-and-do-one feeling

Next year remind me to put my kids in isolation for a month pre Christmas.

Still planning my post. Night quiche.