Packing for the Maldives

Yesterday was worth every bit of hard work put in over the last week. It was a blast! and the weather was at the "rendez-vous", who could have hoped for a white Christmas? Certainly not me, the first time in my 39 Christmases! Well, enough of that, there is only so much freezing cold weather one can get fascinated with (it is really beautiful, honestly!). But, I am a lucky girl, Greg and the children are visiting Granny in Derby and I am packing for... the Maldives!

And we celebrated with friends and family

After a bit of pampering at the hairdressers (I really should learn how to blow dry my hair) accompanied by Victor who was an angel, I am showered and dressed, help arrives. Margarita and Tina are helping with the finishing touches as Greg pours champagne and the children play with their new treasures.

Bea and Peter, Kate and James (her absolutely charming new man) and Isaura are all here to share the giant turkey, steamed veg and wonderful wines. Tina queued early this morning at Cafe Lisboa to buy the best ever Portuguese custard tarts, our surprise pudding. Everything is perfect. Later, more friends join us for drinks, cheese and chocolates. The house is full of children and friends, the wine flows, music plays, and the kids, the snow falls we are all very mellow, happy days...

I think today is a big success, would be even better with few more of my siblings around... next year peut-etre...

Joyeux Noel everyone X

Santa came early at the Knight house

We are so happy to have Max with us for nearly a week. Our house feels really complete. The little ones are thrilled, in their excitement they leave him no choice as to an early rise in the morning. He is such a great kid, a really wonderful big brother.

Last night I went to bed at 1am, putting the finishing touches to the house, being Father Christmas and the house fairy all in one, but when I saw their shiny faces at the breakfast table, with candles on, the carols playing, the flowers all over the house and even snow in the garden... it was all worth it. The magic was working.

Today we are expecting a lot of people for lunch... a feast actually... now I have to dash to the hairdresser, it is time for some "me time" toodleloo...

Christmas school play

They did it and they were great!