Boxing Day x 2

Poor Rich had to work on Boxing Day (holidays here are so rubbish) and it was lovely weather, which made it all the more sad. The boys, Nana, and I enjoyed a nice day, though a lot of it was spent lying on the couch as we were all very tired from the pre-Christmas/Christmas activities. We did get outside, though, and the boys scooted (in various ways) around the neighborhood. The doggies enjoyed a nice walk, too, and I think they thought it might be Spring already (if only). 

As Charlie napped, Raf put together their new dinosaur set that their sister had bought them.

And after a lazy afternoon of playing (for the boys) and sitting for the grownups, we had our Christmas/Boxing Day tea. Lots of crackers, pickles, and various forms of Christmas cake and pie. Yummy.

Saturday - our unofficial Boxing day got off to a good start with breakfast in bed! The boys helped Rich and then they all came upstairs and helped me to eat it!

And as I caught up on Christmas blogging the boys played in bed... and whilst this looks lovely and peaceful, they're laughing because they're bopping each other on the head.

And Charlie tortures his brother as he quietly tries to watch something on YouTube.

Another glorious day here yesterday, with little wind, warm temps, and bight blue skies. The doggies had a super time. The difficulty taking the dogs and the boys to the beach at the same time is that the boys want to play in one area, whilst the doggies want to run around. Somewhat inevitably there is some whinging on the way back about being tired!

And after lunch and naps we all enjoyed another walk around the neighbourhood...

In the bright sky the boys managed to spy the moon.

There it is!

We're back to rain and then cold this week so I'm glad we made the most of some warmer temps.

Christmas Day 2014

Christmas day was not in the least bit relaxing, but the boys (and the grownups, too) had a lovely day with plenty of pressies (too many, honestly) and good, good food. The night before, the boys read their Elf on the Shelf book for the final time and were both to sleep fairly quickly whilst their elf parents and grandma stayed up to prepare stockings and wrap the final gifts.

Charlie fast asleep...

And then his brother joined the sleeping party a little after 12.

At 4am Raf woke up to ask if Santa had been, I groggily suggested that he go back to sleep and he did for another couple of hours. And then it was all over and both boys were full of excitement as they spied their stockings.

Rafi exclaimed, 'what beautiful fruit'!

And then Charlie unwrapped my stocking and Raf, having ripped through his, helped Charlie get into the swing of things.

yes! The Kennebunkport Train that was on the boys' lists....!

And colouring books and lollipops...

And Daddy Juice...  For Rich.

Trains!

The boys were content to colour for a little while and then we headed downstairs.

Wow!!

Santa had indeed visited...

Meany grownups insisted on breakfast before present opening...

Piles of pancakes and fruit and maple syrup... yum yum.

let's get to it...

The boys were completely crazed (well, Raf was). Charlie was opening any present he came upon, regardless of the intended recipient.

Another wanted present from Santa... trumpets!

And HOT WHEELS. Much to our dismay, many of these models allow for water so it was a wet, messy morning.

Half way through present opening we called a halt to any more unwrapping as the boys were so crazed. The weather was unseasonably warm and so they headed outside to play some football in some new shoes!!!!!

And then it was back in for lunch! Mum had brought over some mint sauce with her, which is a delicious accompaniment to tofurky :)

Sorry, doggies, you'll have your turn afterwards.

What a feast!

Christmas crackers...! Mum bought these from Waitrose so we had high hopes for good jokes, hardy hats, and fun presents inside, but they really were rubbish! Still, they were pretty.

Hats didn't last for long on the Oliver noggins...

And then it was back to MORE PRESENTS!

And a final gift from their sister... A dinosaur set.

The boys were zonked early on so we nixed our Christmas tea plans and the boys were tucked in bed fairly early on. The grown-ups stayed up for crackers, pickles, etc., but we were all glad to get to bed!

So glad that nana could be with us. Far too many presents... but the boys loved each and every one of them so thank you to all the generous friends, aunts and uncles, and nanas. xo