the night before Christmas

All is quiet in the house, the children asleep. These past few days have been passing very quickly. I am settling into my holiday routine: staying up late into the night, enjoying the relative peace (and ideally getting up late, too). I knit or read, or watch the telly. Tonight we watched Police Academy 2, always a good one for a chuckle. Nothing very high brow in this house I am afraid. The presents are wrapped and under the tree, the stockings are ready to be filled, reindeer food has been sprinkled in the garden (no doubt to be eaten by Jack), the tumbler of whiskey is ready, too. I wonder how Santa deals with the new lower drink driving limit in Scotland? I have just eaten the Christmas cake offering, shame on me.
The level of excitement was high earlier on but thankfully the little ones went to sleep in no time. A long walk in the woods is always tiring and keeping them up later than normal helps, too. It is a tradition in this house to read the Grinch, Dream Snow (by Eric Carle) and The Night Before Christmas, three stories James and Alistair enjoy very much. Richard is a fantastic story teller and I enjoy listening and watching the little boys rapt attention. Before going to bed we sing a couple of carols. The big ones are no longer interested but maybe they'll remember once they have their own families.
It will be an early start tomorrow morning but it doesn't matter, I enjoy sipping a coffee and watch the children's excitement when they open their gifts. No doubt they'll spend the day in their pj's. Yes, even for Christmas dinner. We don't expect visitors and my mum doesn't mind us being so lazy. I am looking forward to walking Jack, it is supposed to be a dry day. We'll bake a Lebkuchen House and eat plenty of good food. Richard is doing all the cooking, roast beef with mountains of Yorkshire puddings. There is a selection of cheese and plenty of baked goods in case we get peckish. I just remember that I was going to bake bread for breakfast. Better get going, it is late!

Thank you all for stopping by regularly or from time to time, reading my blog and leaving kind, witty and thoughtful comments. Have a wonderful Christmas! Cx