I am one of these people who can play over and over Christmas songs while baking gingerbread men and who drinks enough Eggnog lattes from Starbucks to sustain the whole industry!
Christmas is by far my favourite time of the year and it has always been. When I think of it, I think of cold winter's nights watching TV with the tree lights flashing at the corner of my eyes. I taste oranges and chocolate and I love decorating the house or write Christmas cards.
This year for the first year, Elliott is learning all about the fun of Christmas, so when we received an invitation to attend the press preview of Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, I jumped up and down, did a little dance and sent a message back saying "You bet we'll be there!!".
Mistake #1: DO NOT under any circumstances tell a toddler, not 3 yet, that he will go and see Father Christmas in London in a few days. Toddler does not understand what few days mean. Toddler will throw a tantrum right there and then and hate you for raising his expectations and not going through with it.
The day finally arrived and off we went on the train to London Victoria. The boys were very excited and the train journey would have probably been sufficient to feed their curiosity and excitement.
Mistake #2: Never think that traveling on a train with 2 children under 3 will be a piece of cake.
...Hang on let me pause and laugh at your naivety... Ok I have composed myself.
Right 2 children under 3 on a train is as close as a nightmare situation can be. First the buggy weighs nearly 50 kgs with both of them in, the weight of the buggy itself and all the extra stuff. So you just about avoid a situation where the guard helping you suffers from work related injuries for life.
Then the 2 toddlers decide that out of the buggy, life is much more fun. You risk it and you end up in hell! One is trying to get out at all stations and while you are busy keeping an eye on him the other one is screaming because he wants to run free. So you finally decide to strap the younger one to the buggy which is when he makes sure you understand how unhappy he is, as well as all the other passengers in the same breath.
All you can do then is pretend you are on your own and avoid looking at whoever else is around you or you can just go and sit as far as possible from the buggy and ignore them when they call you mummy...
We finally arrived at Victoria to meet reinforcement troop! Craig was there waiting ready to take his share of responsibilities.
We made our way to Hyde Park and the amazement was really intense. Elliott's eyes were not big enough and is mouth couldn't close anymore. Victor was shrieking with excitement and waving at the reindeer at reception singing cheesy songs (the reindeer, not Victor).
We have been to Winter Wonderland before and I can say that this year is far far better than a couple of years ago! It is amazing and so much bigger.
The Circus is the first attraction we went to. The boys adored it and it was their first time in a circus. Victor was fascinated with one hand in the popcorn and his eyes transfixed to the stage!
Mistake #3: DO NOT offer salty popcorn to children thinking they won't like it. Children DO like it and will not share with you! Victor probably had more salt in one hour than he has ever had in his whole life! Very bad parenting practice I agree, but we did not want to attract too much attention by removing his hand out of the box. We were sitting right at the front and do you know what these clowns do to people they pick on?!
It was a fabulous evening and god yeah I recommend this place! The entrance is free, but in every places like this one food and entertainment are very pricey. But you can also decide to just wonder around, buy sweets and let the Christmas spirit fills you.
One song that kept playing over and over again was this one, and it is full of this spirit. Cheesy as hell and you've guessed it, one of my all time favourite...
Yes I know, this blog has been lacking of cheesy songs lately. Let's say that I have been pondering too long on the "Hot or not" at Insomniac Mummy and lost track with my own Friday event.
Just look at this one and hands up who wouldn't be sidetracked for a minute or 5 hours?
This one is for you Simon! Just you baby... You are my inspiration *wink*
I must be the unluckiest person, with the least friends and the shortest life you will ever meet, because I never EVER forward powerpoint presentations full of teddy bears or Dalai Lama quotes to all my contact list.
What can I say? I love living on the edge and I am not scared! Watch me well, what can you see? No sweat, no trembling lip! I am happy to take the challenge and keep the Teddy Bears to myself and see if luck deserts me one day.
Anyway, yesterday I opened my inbox and found this great text about what it is to be a real mother. I want to share it with you. Not because I will live until 120 years of age by doing so but because I dare you not to nod and smile while reading it.
This was sent to me by Hayley, a mum of adorable twins, soon to get married to the man of her dreams. Hayley recently started her own business selling a selection of items from pairs of shoes, perfume or children clothes. She set up a Facebook group you can join to hear about the latest items for sale and to grab yourself a bargain.
Here is what she sent:
Real Mothers don't eat quiche; They don't have time to make it.
Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils Are probably in the sandbox.
Real Mothers often have sticky floors, Filthy ovens and happy kids.
Real Mothers know that dried play dough Doesn't come out of carpets.
Real Mothers don't want to know what The vacuum just sucked up.
Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?' And get their answer when a little Voice says, 'Because I love you best.'
Real Mothers know that a child's growth Is not measured by height or years or grade... It is marked by the progression of Mummy to Mum to Mother...
The Images of Mother
4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mummy can do anything! 8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mum knows a lot! A whole lot! 12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn’t know everything! 14 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother? She wouldn’t have a clue. 16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's so five minutes ago. 18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date! 25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it! 35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mum's opinion. 45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mum would have thought about it? 65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mum.
The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure she carries, or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, Because that is the doorway to her heart, The place where love resides. The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, But true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, The passion that she shows, And the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!
Lovely don't you think? Thanks Hayley!
And now here comes our Friday Cheesy Song. This one is for my friends Bea and Peggy (not myself you would have guessed it). I know that they will luuurrrvve it!
Both Bea and Peggy are pregnant due in December. Bea is unfortunately forced to rest in a flat position for the next 2 months left of her pregnancy. Not so cool for anyone who also has a toddler to look after.
Bea et Peg cette chanson, elle est a vous mes poules!
Courage, plus tres longtemps, on pense a vous de l'autre cote de la manche!
This song is from a film La Boom, that every single French girl now in their 30's has watched over and over. Every girl wanted to be Vic, I did!
Last Wednesday High School Musical was on TV and believe it or not I had never seen it so after all the hype I decided to watch it. Lets face it with 2 boys the chances of me watching all the teen girly chick flicks are quite slim. I suppose that "Power Rangers the Return" will have far more success. But then again I might be completely wrong, who knows.
So I did watch it and for the space of 120 minutes, I was 12 again and my heart was all gooey. All I wanted to do was throw the duvet out and start dancing along jumping on the bed (I watched it in bed) hugging a pillow pretending it was troy I was hugging... ok maybe that bit is a bit sick, I am a grown up, aren't I?!
OK so before you go and press play, I would like to apologise to all the parents out there who watched it hundreds of time during the school holidays...
Today I will not enter the song in the cheesy category, however the mood is the cheesiest ever.
The boys are behaving beautifully, the sun is shinning and we've just had a brilliant active morning at a friend's house who made us fab sandwiches (Thank you M!).
Now the boys are in bed, having a well deserved nap and I can't stop singing:
I see trees of green, red roses too I see them bloom for me and you And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
Enjoy and just watch Louis Armstrong's smile when he sings, don't you just want to smile back?
Elliott, Victor and me in a car. Me, driving obviously. And singing obviously too. The song I am singing along is the one you are going to listen to in a minute. I love this song and whenever I hear it playing I cannot help singing along.
Elliott is at the back and kicking my seat "STOP-SINGING-MAMAN!!!!"
Me, well, I sing even louder. There won't be any children making the rules in this household!
So there is a bit of head shake and hair movement to annoy him even more.
We come to a traffic light, it is red, we stop.
I am still singing and now the level of decibels has reached a more than acceptable level. I decide to lower it a little bit.
I look round as I feel insistent looks. I look on my right and there he is. A man in a van, staring and smiling. I give him the "what's up dude?" look, then I realise the roof top is fully open. Then I realise that everyone around must have heard THE voice and seen THE head shake!!!!
The light turns green... THANK GOD for that!!
Now, tell me I am not the only one to suffer public embarrassment on a regular basis, am I?
It is already Friday?! I can't believe it, last time I blinked it was Monday...
Choosing our Friday Cheesy Song this week was a tough choice. Lets say that sleep deprivation, potty training drama and preschool hell hunting took the best out of me. So I decided this week to put forward, the next in line in the votes for the Top Cheesy Song.
So ladies and Gentleman I give you...
Phil Collins with A Groovy Kind of Love, suggested by Metropolitan Mum. Hands up who didn't snog a boyfriend or girlfriend on that song!
I just hope it doesn't make you fall asleep at the keyboard though...