Cruising through Christmas! Or staying at home! Which do you prefer?

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring not even a mouse!!!

Well eventually it was quiet in my house as with four children, grand parents and my husband and I the noise levels were quite high. My daughter took her two small brothers to her room to watch Miracle on 34th Street so that Santa could put all the presents out in the end or else it would have been a very late night/early morning.

At this time of year many people prefer to go away for Christmas but I have to be honest I don’t think that this is something that I could ever do as I want to be in my own home with all my loved ones on Christmas Day.

Sleeping beauties

Every year since my youngest was born we began a family tradition of reading “Twas the night before Christmas” by Clement Clarke Moore. In the early years my husband and I read it but as the children grew older we took it in turns with everyone wanting to read the one page that says, ““Now Dasher! Now Dancer! Now Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! On, Cupid! On, Donner and Blitzen! To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”. It gets very competitive with the kids trying to cheat and work out who gets THAT page!!

Presents ready under the tree

My favourite part of Christmas is sharing it with family and I love having a full house of people and this year there were ten of us and my middle son, Logan aged 11, did a great job of setting the table.

Christmas table

However this did serve to remind us of people that used to be with us and no longer are like my father in law, Norman, who loved a party and would be so proud to see how his grand children have turned out and also my beloved Aunty Patricia who passed away just a few short months ago. She always used to help me clear up afterwards and I found myself irretrievably sad at times but in the true spirit of Christmas we still managed to have fun and the biggest hit was a £2.99 selfie box with props in as you can see.

Me with an impressive beard!

My daughter, Ashley aged 16, and me.

Group shot with me, Ashley, my mum and my youngest son, Frazer aged 9.

Our pets did not get away with it either with both Miley the black Labrador aged 10 months and Flash the mini lop rabbit getting into the Christmas spirit.

Inevitably by the end of the day and after a big lunch and the fact that he was catching up on his sleep having returned from University just a few days before my eldest son, Conor aged 18, just could not keep up with us!!

Christmas never disappoints me and I always have a lovely day with the ones I love and wish I could keep them by my side forever but as my children grow older and forge lives of their own I know that one day they may want to stay with their families so I treasure every moment now.

Merry Christmas everyone and a Happy New Year love from Molly xxxx