A fun week!

This week has been super busy. We have had something exciting and Christmassy on everyday! Here's what's been happening:

Monday - travelling back from the wedding in Sheffield and visiting my grandparents (always lovely).

Tuesday - I went into school on my day off for the Christmas dinner and disco.

Wednesday - The last day of term at my school and a big carol service.

Thursday - we went to the pantomime with Chloe and her school. Highlights were: Chloe ditching us to dance with her friends (so nice to see her giggling and chatting away) and Chloe turning to me during the performance and saying, 'I wish Livia was here.' Made me melt!

Friday - Chloe's nativity at school. It was a really lovely play with a strong focus on Jesus and fun for the children. Chloe took her singing very seriously but spent most of the performance looking around at everyone else!

Saturday - We took the girls to a Santa's Grotto at a wine estate. It was great, with a train ride up into the vineyards and a visit to the grotto where they got some fab gifts. I know some Christian parents aren't that keen on visiting Santa but I feel we are balancing it out well with the true meaning of Christmas. Chloe's been making up her own songs about Mary and Jospeh so I feel it must be going in!

Sunday - Today Chloe was in another 'play' (well, more of a reading) at church. She was an angel and insisted on wearing her halo even though no one else was dressing up! It's a shame she missed her line, as she'd learnt it so well!

Something else I wanted to quickly mention was that this afternoon I went horse-riding for the first time in about 10 years. It used to be something I was really passionate about (and got quite good at!) and I have always felt sad that I gave up. I wondered about trying it again but it always felt a little frivolous to do something which is quite expensive for myself (especially as Chloe would love to learn). But J encouraged me to book a lesson for my birthday and I LOVED it. I think perhaps it's good to do something for yourself as a mum and a hobby is definitely not a bad thing.

I hope you are all having a lovely run-up to Christmas.