Xmas 2006

During the count down to Christmas we have made our first trip to see Santa. I have been taking her for the last couple of weeks to the shopping centre and stood next to the Santa Cave watching other frightened children having their photos taken (the things we do to our children). The first time she saw him she appeared fascinated with the decor of the cave but once Santa approached to say 'Hi' she was practically inside my clothes trying to get away. Each subsequent visit got easier and on the big day I had planned to be in the photo myself if necessary.

I was given a piece of advise - "don't let them see Santa....back them up looking at you.....put them on Santa's knee and start taking photos" - this is exactly what I did. No tears (but no great smiles either) so the whole exercise was a total success (and I didn't have to get in the photo - yeah). I think she looks sooooo cute (and apparently Santa was too without the beard......). I now point out everything to do with Santa (ho ho ho) but she still seems more interested in tinsel and Christmas stars.

We have a mountain of presents under our tree already all addressed to Charlotte Rae (nothing for Mummy or Daddy - very sad). I think I might have gone a bit mad. I will update the sight after Xmas with more photos and a list of gifts received.

Xmas Day 2006 - First Christmas

What can I say - what a great day. We woke at around 7am (Me, James, Mum, Bonnie and Charlotte - don't believe that will last for long) and Charlotte opened her eyes to a full sack of presents in her room. We helped her drag it into the lounge where she discovered even more presents around the base of the tree. Of course as we pulled presents out they were all for Charlotte (nothing for us) and she began to become a little overwhelmed with the amount, so we decided to do the day in shifts. She did well actually, ripping open the presents and playing with them. I honestly thought she would be more interested in the paper but she wasn't. She had a genuine interest in how the toy worked.

Mid morning James went to pick up his grandmother and we went into full Christmas day mode. At approximately 11am the tribe arrived. Again another flow of present exchanging and again overwhelmed with quantity. She ended up with so much stuff but surprisenly it wasn't all toys - mainly clothes and books - which is kind of good.

She did well during the day with little sleep and still managing lots of smiles and hugs. I didn't get to spend much time with her as her grandparents (and great grandparents) spent quality time with her, but I had her all to myself on Boxing Day which was nice.

I have started a Xmas diary that I will log all the presents she gets each year and look back on it in years to come and she the different trend her life takes. It was a great day and the start of a new family era. I look forward to more Christmas's together with early mornings, lots rubbish, food and best of all happy smilely family faces.

Update 22 - Greenwich Baths 1/12/2006

Hot weather on the first day of December 2006 saw us heading to the beach - for some of the babies (from Mother Group) it was their first excusion, however for our Charlotte it is familiar territory. She absolutely loves the beach. I can't keep her out of the water. If you sit her on the sand she will crawl back into the water and literary keep going unless you pick her up - no fear at all. Here are some of the photos from Fridays trip - enjoy.

PS - below are cheeky monkeys from Mothers Group (held at our place) on Thursday 30th November. Charlotte and Sophie getting into something they shouldn't