A rush and a push...

I cannot believe its only 9 days until Christmas 2013!  Where has the time gone?!
I see my last post was on the 20th October, and for those of you actually checking in here, I apologise for the silence.  It's been one hell of a autumn.  I don't know how working mums with more than 1 child do it.  Again I salute you!
So what has been happening…
Well there has been work.  Oh how I love you but you certainly have made me sweat the last while.  Thanks be to Jesus, it's coming to an end on Friday and time for a little festive break.

Then there has been husby who has had shingles, and a bad case of it.  Since Tilly hasn't had chickenpox we were waiting with baited breath for her to get it.  But luckily she missed it.  Although I suppose there is never a convenient time to get them.  So poor husby was not at his best, and me being the unsympathetic type with illness, probably wasn't a model wife.  And little lady missed hanging out with her pappa :(

Then there was and is, the joy of the birth of my very first orchid.  This took loads of my time.  I stared at it lovingly at every chance.  Because, I cannot believe that it exists and at this very moment has 13 flowers on it - yes you read right THIRTEEN!  This is my biggest flora achievement, so I am super proud.

Last weekend was my fantastic mommy's 60th birthday, so I flew over for a quick surprise visit.  And boy was she.  It was great craic.  We had a brilliant time out for dinner and hanging out like a family.  It was a shame for her not to see her little lady, but on the plus side, I got some total R&R, which I needed.

After a touch-and-go week with stomach flu and fever, Tilly's birthday approached quick and fast.  Thankfully all went well, and on the 14th December, we celebrated the best 4 years of our lives!  She was super excited all week.  This year she had her first real party, where she chose who to invite and what she wanted to do etc.  Her big request was that no parents be there on the day, but that didn't go so well, since all the kids wanted their moms to stay.  Half way through she asked me to tell them to go….!  So another ice-cream was given to distract her, and she forgot about it!

There was cake, popcorn and ice-cream - at her request.  A disco, a treasure hunt and lots of gift opening.   This time of year is very 'full' for her, because there is so much gift giving, that it's easy for her to lose sight of all of them.  But she has done well.  Her favourite is a cupcake game she got from Granny and Pops, which she has us playing constantly.  Thank you to all her friends (and the mamas) for the gifts!  She is already counting down until her 5th!!!

Yesterday we added just a touch more festive feeling into our home and decorated our Christmas tree.  This was also the first year we all really got into it, since we are in our new big house!  Tilly chose the tree, decorated most of it, with my direction (but of course) and then placed little boxes with her small toys under for her friends.  Husby must have said 'what a great tree' easily 30 times! A celebratory cocktail was drunk to make a sweet end to a full weekend.
I heart Christmas!