And so that was Christmas 2014!!

Funny how life gets in the way of blogging so quickly isn't it! We have had such a busy December that it's been hard to keep track of it! What with all of the lovely things we have done, plus work, and school Christmas activities, it was definitely a busy old month. Here is what we got up to:

The Christmas Season started with a visit for Eldest and I to see The Vienna Ballet performing The Nutcracker. She loves Ballet as do I so it was a real treat! The Vienna Ballet were absolutely fantastic and the icing on the cake was that eldest got to meet them all afterwards - very exciting for her!

On December the first the elves came to visit and stayed with us until Christmas Eve. The girls love their #Elfontheshelf and the antics they get up to during our stay. We also decorated the house in early December. I love decorating for Christmas, although it's not always as fun taking it down once January arrives!

The girls sang and eldest played violin and recorder in their Music School Christmas Recital during mid December. The girls love going to Music School each Saturday and so it was brilliant to see what they have been doing behind closed doors all term! We also went to see Singalong Frozen at the newly opened Odyssey Cinema in St Albans with friends which was a real treat. The film was the first showing there and so it was really special. We also went back to the Odyssey during Christmas and New Year to see "Alexander and the terrible, no good, very bad day, which was absolutely fantastic.

Hubby and I celebrated a rare night out and went to a Carol Concert at Wrest Park which was a lovely night. (although I think I did fall asleep at one point as it was so relaxing!!) Our English Heritage Membership has definitely paid off this year as we love visiting their properties!

Both girls took part in their Christmas School Concert. Youngest was an angel and eldest had a speaking part. They also finished the term with a beautiful Christingle service.

We were lucky to book a spot for Breakfast with Santa at Notcutts in St Albans which was a brilliant experience - and one which we intend to book far earlier next Christmas! The girls got to meet Santa and he spent quite a while chatting with them at their table, followed by a story and presents! A very festive experience.

On Christmas Eve we attended our Church Crib Service which was lovely as always. The kids and their friends sang a very rousing version of "We Three Kings" far louder than everyone else which had the back rows in hysterics. On Christmas Eve night we had our annual Family Buffet, followed by Reindeer Food sprinkling and tracking Santa on Norad.

Christmas Day bought a new onesie for hubby and new tablets for the girls, (thankfully with parental controls which hubby is overseeing!). We spent Christmas Day with family with me cooking for dinner and tea. Daddy got a rather fetching new "Daddy Pig" (who ate all the mince pies) T-shirt emphatically chosen by youngest. On Boxing Day we went to Dunstable to see "Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood" which was lots of fun. We do love a bit of Panto on Boxing Day (Oh yes we do!).

The rest of Christmas consisted of more visits to family and friends and another two Christmas gatherings, with lots of delicious food! On New Years Eve the girls had a treat as they stayed up until midnight. Both made it! We played Scrabble, ate lots and saw the Fireworks at Midnight, followed by two little ones off to bed very soon after!

We had a fantastic family Christmas and New Year and although it was busy before Christmas, it was great to spend time chilling out between Christmas and New Year.

Back to work and Back to School next week - Boo!!