just another morning here

We were at evensong tonight; I often go on a Thursday and Friday anyway but Steve joined me this evening because Josiah had told us that he had a little solo. Just one line but he sang it beautifully … listen for the running down ‘holy is his name’ at about 1min09s.

In other news – I didn’t get shortlisted for a job that I really wanted. Perfectly happy where I am though so no worries really, just marginally disappointing and very annoying to not even get an interview. Kids all fine; Anna went out busking with school/choir tonight and had a nice time, Abbie is planning birthday events despite the fact that she’s had a birthday treat already, Josiah’s just chugging along with choir and school. Steve’s thinking of new ways to make a million, as usual … and Suzie is enjoying having a new catflap to the big wide world outside. She still comes to give me a cuddle every morning though – and hasn’t brought me any special gifts yet thank goodness!

I played the piano for my school’s tree decorating assembly today which was fun as ever, and we went out for a team Christmas meal this evening; I love Christmas, I really do. People think I’m mean for not really doing decorating at home, or presents at home, but I don’t think my children are going to suffer that much, honestly

Despite being slightly out of focus, I think this is my favourite snap from Boxing Day.

I didn’t pick up the camera at all on Christmas Day itself; we had a nice day together even though the runs to and from the Cathedral got in the way somewhat – I reckon next year we should try doing Christmas on Boxing Day instead! We’ll see … might change our minds again by then. Josiah really enjoyed his time at the boarding house though, and did brilliantly with all the singing though he’s very tired now.

It was a good team effort for Christmas dinner, which was really delicious. Gifts were exchanged and these went down well – especially, might I say, the Djeco art kits – big surprise there then! Josiah was also rather taken with his remote controlled tarantula … it was sooo tempting to take it to the Cathedral and hide it under an altar table somewhere …
Boxing day morning was very relaxed and we eventually had a cooked brunch before packing up to come home.

We’ve tidied up here at home, now drinking tea, eating Christmas Cake, and watching Enchanted Work tomorrow so enjoying this last day of relaxation.

I decided to give myself this first week of the holidays ‘off’. After Christmas I will have to work pretty hard, as I’d let things slide towards the end of last term. Anyway, we’ve had a lovely time.

Monday was a snow day, documented in the post below – great fun In the evening, Steve and Josiah stayed at home and I braved driving in the ice and snow down to Broadclyst for their Carol Service. This was supposed to be accompanied by Exeter Youth Orchestra, but in the event, because of the snow and the fact that it really was quite treacherous out, only 6 members of EYO made it! They sounded pretty good considering! We slithered home after that – very hairy driving up our close but kind of fun I suppose.

On Tuesday we did very little – we considered going busking but decided not to in the end; Abbie was unwell and spent half of the day in bed. The kids watched George of the Jungle, and we caught up with the first couple of episodes of The Nativity – really enjoying that this week, some angles included that you don’t often consider when thinking about the story.

Wednesday was Josiah’s day for going back to school; he was up early packing his bag for the boarding house – he really thinks it is a huge treat to stay there! We dropped him off at mid-day for a trip to the pantomime, then he has various rehearsals and services between now and Christmas day itself. Wrapped presents in the afternoon

On Thursday we had Abbie’s birthday treat: a trip to the cinema to see The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Thought it was much better than the last two, actually, really enjoyed it even though it wasn’t quite true to the book – but I haven’t read it for ages so I’d forgotten until Anna reminded me! Abbie’s favourites for dinner – lasagne followed by mini pavlovas
After that we went out carol singing with friends from Pinhoe Church – freezing but very festive-feeling We watched the last part of the Nativity together – it failed tonight, I thought Mary made far too much fuss giving birth! Anyway, girly sleepovers happened in various places after that.

Friday – Christmas Eve
I decided to go out and make deliveries – the girls hadn’t surfaced by 9.30am! Later on I met Emma, Nick, Robyn & Lola for the Cathedral Crib Service – hadn’t been to it before- it was fun. Robyn particularly enjoyed looking out for Josiah in his dress
Home for lunch, then we packed up and got ready to take all our stuff over to Steve’s parents since we decided to stay there for two nights! Saves driving
As I write, we are sitting in the Cathedral waiting for the Grandisson Service to start- the poshest service of the year perhaps? One has to be seated at least an hour in advance!
After this we’ll have a quick visit with Josiah before going back to drink, nibble, play games, and wait for Christmas

The children decided not to go busking as planned today – I’ve been watching this Exeter webcam and there hasn’t been more than two or three people in the shot all day so I reckon that was a wise decision!!
Instead, as the garage wasn’t open (don’t think we’d have seen many customers ), Steve decided that it would be fun to go out and decorate the Christmas tree with his parents and even more fun to drive there … well, it was adventurous!

This photo was taken just after we’d pushed the car to the top of Pennsylvania Road, which local friends will know is a rather steep hill.
I have never known snow like this in Exeter in all the years I’ve lived here, it’s quite incredible. We are simply not geared up for it so the whole city ground to a halt! The girls and I are preparing to go out to a carol concert now, which should be interesting too …

More pics here, only fairly rubbish iphone ones as unfortunately I managed to leave my big camera on the settings for the ECO Christmas Concert last night, so none of the snow pics I took on that came out. Silly.

A quick word about the orchestra concert while I’m here though, it was fab as usual. I don’t think I will ever tire of it! Abbie in particular did really well with her glock parts, and both girls played throughout as they are also part of the Wind Group that were sharing our concert. Sad to say goodbye to leavers, and a number of people didn’t make it because of the weather, but most people did, and we managed to re-sell most of the tickets (we’d been sold out but then there were some cancellations), so it was a success all round I think. Glad that concert was last night before the heavy snow though, I must confess!