Oh well here I am again and this time there are bumper photos. I have got a lot in this edition but they all have a story. It has been a mad two weeks and seeing all these photos makes me realise there may be a reason why I am so very exhausted. I literally haven't stopped. So much fun I want to scream now! (Saw that on a button pin or was it 'I've had fun but now I want to scream'), it is the same difference!
But seeing family and watching my boys marvel and enjoy the simple side of Christmas has got to be the best thing. They of course did well with the 'olde present giver roo' but really what got them smiling so much was the love and sharing. The small stuff, the tradition of the stockings, the fun things.
For Louie's birthday it was a book of funny signs that made him and his brother literally laugh all day and they couldn't get enough of that! Really laughter is the gift and it is magic and I love it!!!! Long may we continue to make people laugh and laugh at ourselves..........I have some stellar shots of Damian. He really is a comic genius and so good of him to share them with the WORLD, oh that's right I didn't ask him.........but you know he will love it all the same!!!
Now to the uninitiated this is rascal one and two, aka Nana Kay and Isaac. They were having so much fun being silly and I think she had only just arrived!!!
THIS IS CHRISTMAS !
Yup it is some ridiculous time and Damey makes it down the stairs...just....
But stocking opening awaits and Louie is soo very happy, his face is priceless you literally can't make this up!
Cool stocking filler, A teeny tiny fold away map. Now that is really brilliant. Oh Father Christmas you are the best!!!!!
Check this out, Isaac's sweater matches his bottle cover....skull x 2 ...how did Father Christmas guess...
Damian got an Emergency Clown nose. Well you never know when you will need to don that apparatus....
I love this picture of Isaac, he is building nano bricks and such a genuine happy smile from the heart.......perfect.
OMG I couldn't stop laughing that this one. It was a sticker from something else and quick thinking Damian stuck it on the dressing gown....the face to match and everything.
This is for those Manx relatives. He does have tears in his eyes and loved getting this card
As did Isaac and his special snowman coin. Just wonderful and special.
So the decision was are they too old for cuddly toys? I say NEVER. look at these boys......bliss and funny boy below. Just priceless................
I am here with my lizard on my shoulder,...............
Every year (ok just for this and last year...that's now a tradition) Julie organises a pickle present. That is a green pickle hidden on the Christmas Tree. Then our thing is that you open the Pickle Present, like a giant pass the parcel that has everyones name on the layers, so everyone gets a secret present. Then the person who finds the pickle decoration on the tree gets an extra present. Of course super sleuth Damian found it and it was a special plastic gun to fire spinning discs and he was trying to do this in the highest space in the house. He could have gone outside! But this is funnier...........I also have to state for the record there was cheating and he has previously looked on the tree before I got there!!! so he had had longer to look for the pickle!!!!!!!!!!! Not that I am bitter or anything!!!!
THE BIRTHDAY
JANUARY 1ST
Louie turns 13
Bunting is essential for the celebration process, so on this freezing cold New Years day, Damian and I hung the flags out for Louie.
They just love these crystal puzzles and this had to be built straight away....joint effort and all that. Present from Grandmar and Grandad.
Clever Julie found a Beano for the year Louie was born! such a great gift.
Of course this is what you do with the wrapping ribbons....
I love this picture, he carefully reads all the cards and this is the one from me and Damian...I love his expression...
The funny sign book I gave to Louie...this showing and reading lasted all day...
This is just so funny...waiting, waiting for grub! such a good boy he did wait. But I love this picture.
We finally made it to Long wood..such a freezing day we just headed straight for the greenhouses and the green vista was just gorgeous.
Their theme this year was birds and all the trees had this going on,. I love Cardinals so this was a favorite of mine and the picture below is the view from behind the tree and I liked the effect of the rippling in the glass and seeing the red birds ....
This is the boys...there is so much to take in it is hard to get a good picture. but hopefully it gives a flavor.
This area is always decked out so well and the swans were amazing, the dining table below was all part of this amazing scene...the colors stupendous and this is the peacock element.
OK so the Bonsai are another favorite of mine and like a dummy I thought that the pomegranate tree produced this fruit....well it is a pomegranate tree but they have wired this fruit on........yes I am stupid to believe that it grew on it!
Splendid wreath
Interesting Poinsettia and interesting variegated plantey thing below... my mum had this plant I'm sure.
More swans
Tiny glass birds floating! Just spectacular.
I really wanted one of these birdhouses..of course I did they were only $199 in the shop!!!! so they were left behind but I have the picture...
Love love the cactus room and this splash of colour is just divine in the sea of blue green ...it is like the light in that room is changed by the colours of the cactus...almost smokey air. So calming.
Last but not least and definitely most bizarre...the park abandoned items continues and this time it is chairs. I think that the fascination for me is the way they are placed...........like an impromptu bus stop... or waiting room outside.
Well that's your lot for now. Happy New Year and hears hoping it's a great one!!!