Christmas Magic

Monday 22/12

The holidays have begun. We all lied in that morning knowing it was the beginning of two weeks of bliss. We took the morning as it came. We even had time to wrestle before getting on the bike. The weather was so lovely and surprising not too cold!

We were meeting up with school friends. Loads came to play. James was so happy seeing them. I love seeing how included James and George feel in this community. The kids are so so diverse and so loving. I was happy to see loads of my friends and catch up with them.

The kids quickly got bored of the first playground so we all moved to the second playground. This one was bigger and more challenging and I think the kids loved that. James and George have made so many good memories here over the years.

James saw one of his friends up on the highest spider web. He wanted to try. I was surprised he wanted too. I was scared to do it myself but I wanted to help him if he needed it. We got up together. It was pretty high but James was riding the high of doing it. He was so proud of himself. I am proud of him too.

We soon made it back down to the ground and went over to the wilderness area. The boys love this patch. The little pond is their favourite. All of them got really close to it to see if there were any frogs. I think it was too cold for any frogs to say hi.

They then ran back to the playground and followed each other around. Eventually they all ended up on the round about as the adults pushed them. They were having the best time together just chatting away as we did the work. I didn’t mind seeing they were so happy together.

Just after 1pm we said goodbye to our friends and headed home for George to have a nap. When he woke up we made our way to IKEA. We were needing to get additional parts for the wardrobe we built for James because it needed more space.

The boys were so excited to wake through IKEA and were so full of joy. I loved it. We figured out in the end that we needed to bring back the wardrobe we just built and exchange it for the taller version. We had some yummy meatballs and then cycled back home. We headed straight for bed.

Tuesday 23/12

Matt’s job today was returning the wardrobe and getting the taller one and build it. So after having a slow morning and seeing Matt off, we scooted to my friend Bridget’s house. The boys were so happy racing each other down the pavement.

At Bridget’s house the boys went in to greet their friends and play. The Christmas Tree that was up was magical. Bridget and I sat in the front room chatting as the kids played around. Bridget and I chatted for hours. I love being with her so much. We are one soul!

We came out every once in a while to check on the kids. I love seeing their relationships blossom. George and William are only a week apart. We had been there for hours when I realised we needed to head back home. So we said our goodbyes and scooted home.

Back at home Matt had finished building the new wardrobe and was happy to see us. We restored the room and it felt so peaceful. There are still a few bits of the room that are in progress during this Swedish Death Cleaning project but it’s getting really close to getting done!

Wednesday 24/12

Christmas Eve! We were all so excited to wake up. Christmas is just around the corner. The boys were so happy that morning as they opened their adventure calendars. We then played the rest of the morning together. I love these slow mornings.

Just before noon we headed out on our bikes. Something happened to the weather and it was freezing outside. Well, literally 0 degrees. We made it to the Flat Iron and got warm inside as we found my friend Megan with her family. It was my first time eating steak and it was amazing. James was so happy to be with Chloe. They are so close to one another.

Once we had finished eating we headed out back to the bike to Westminster Abbey. It’s our tradition every year to go to the Abbey’s Christmas Eve service. So here we were 2 hours before the service to start the queue. The boys didn’t mind since they had Chloe.

Soon other friends started to arrive. I had sent a link for the tickets to my playgroup and so many of my friends booked tickets. About 10 of them with their families. It was fun seeing them and wishing them a Merry Christmas. James and George loved the group of friends getting bigger.

We got some seats next to the nativity. That is our favourite spot. We warmed up inside and made sure to have toilet breaks now before the service was to begin. This building means so much to us and feels like a second home to me and the boys. I mean, I think James could find the toilet all by himself at any point in the building haha!

The service began. It was such a tender service full of the Saviour. This is what I love about being here. Feeling so close to Him. The hymns touched my heart so much. The boys didn’t mind since so good throughout the service. And at the very end we all lit our candles. My spirit was full of light. Hearing the choir fill the Abbey is Christmas to me.

Cycling home nearly froze my hands off. It was freezing. I was so grateful when we got home. We had some hot chocolate and then we headed to bed. The boys got out their yotos for a bit since we had some new cards. They were in heaven. We all snuggled up and fell asleep.

Thursday 25/12

Christmas Day had arrived! The boys ran out to check under the tree. They unwrapped their Christmas Lego. They were both so happy. We had some Dutch pancakes for breakfast and then got busy at building our Lego. They were so diligent as they were building.

As soon as I finished packing we loaded the car and headed out of London to Worcester. The boys took a quick nap as Matt and I had our time to chat. It was so lovely seeing the whole family there. There were Christmas gifts waiting for us. So we opened a few up.

Then it was time for Christmas dinner. I will never understand why Christmas dinner is at lunchtime. It was so delicious and my belly was so full. After the meal we went back to opening some more gifts. We then enjoyed the new things we had received.

I was not feeling my best. I felt sad to not be with my family during this time of year. I am so happy to be here but I just wished we were all together. Maybe one day haha. James and George had the best time with their cousin Rosie. She is one of their best friends. They love her so much. At bedtime we said goodbye to her and Megan and Elliot. We then soon walked over to the guest house to tuck in for the night.

Friday 26/12

And it’s Boxing Day! While everyone is going out shopping we stay in and cosy that morning. James loves playing with Matt’s new chess set. I love watching them play together. Matt is such a good teacher. George gets excited and wants to join in but that usually stops the game. We chilled with the family the rest of the morning.

Just after lunch we headed off to Stratford upon Avon. It’s been a while since we have been here. Not many places are opened on Boxing Day but the Butterfly Farm was. James loves this place and this was George’s first time going.

Unlike London it is a massive butterfly enclosure. One of the first things we ran into was the massive iguana. It crossed the path right in front of us. The boys were amazed. Every butterfly they could see on the leaves next to them would make them stop to look closer.

James was a bit overwhelmed with all the fluttering that would pass him but he felt a bit safer in the caterpillar room. It is amazing to see these creatures chew away at the leaves. As we exited the caterpillar section we ran into newly hatched butterflies.

Since their wings didn’t work as well they would often fall on you and George loved that. He was amazed to see them so close up. I loved seeing them land on me. James was grateful that none of them fell on him. I think he would have had a panic attack haha!

We then went into a reptile section. I loved how this Butterfly Farm is like a mini zoo. It even has it’s own crocridle. Matt got loads of butterflies landing on him and stay on him. I loved it. The boys were most amazed by the giant fish in the pond.

The Butterly Farm is one of our favourite places. Some people come to Stratford to see Shakespeare’s birthplace and house but we come here for the butterflies. And sometimes the charity shops haha! I love making memories here.

We then drove home during sunset. We watched Zootropolis with the boys. We want to see the second one in the cinema next week and we knew they needed to see the first one. The absolutely loved it. We then spent the rest of the evening playing with the family. We had a moment where we celebrated Hannah’s birthday. I am so happy she is part of the family now. She is a true joy. We then headed off to bed.

Saturday 27/12

Our Anniversary! 9 years today we held hands across the alter in the Salt Lake Temple. The best day ever. Because this day falls so awkwardly after the holidays we decided to keep it simple and just celebrate it in our hearts. We call it our family birthday and just make it a priority to spend the day together.

Every year on this day is the Leece Family Reunion (Matt’s mum’s family). They have such a fun get together. There are so many cousins of all ages and the boys love being part of it. This year it was in Yorkshire so it was about 3 hours in the car. I loved passing the Peak District on the way.

We made it there just after 1pm. The boys were so hungry and very grateful that all the food was out already. It was the best to greet family after a year of not seeing them. James and George were so happy to see Luke who is the youngest cousin Matt has. He was born just a couple weeks before James. I have the best time talking with the older cousins. They are all teenagers and we sit and chat for ages. I love catching up with all their love lives.

Soon it was time to go out on the farm. The boys were so ready. George fell in love with the farm cats, who did not liked to be touched. The prize was the horse. He was so friendly. We loaded up on food and then headed out to the fields.

We crossed the sheep to get where we needed to go. It was so funny to watch them run together. We finally made it to the alpacas. We have known these guys since they were babies so it was nice to see them so grown. George was so excited to feed them.

They came so close to us. George had no fear. He loved how close they got to him as he fed them. Once we were out of food we headed back to the barn. We hung out with the horse for a bit while Uncle Joseph got the pony ready.

We then took the pony on a long walk. The kids took turns walking the pony. It was a misty day and it made the dales look so beautiful around us. What a dream place to live. I love it. But it worries me that living somewhere like this means I can’t get next day Amazon delivery haha!

We then headed back to the barn and went into the stable. This is where we had a special Christmas service with the whole family. I loved watching James and George sing the songs and listen to the messages shared. What a spiritual moment with family. We the went inside and played some Christmas games. Just before 6pm we said goodbye and headed home to bed.

Sunday 28/12

It was hard waking up but we got ready just in time for 10am church. James and George loved sitting next to their grandparents. I love coming to church in the Malvern Hills ward. I always feel so spiritually nourished. I love the members of this ward so much.

I then went with both boys to primary. George is now in primary (well no one was in nursery and it’s just a week early). So to help him adjust we will go with George for the first few months. He was so excited to be with his brother but he soon got bored which is understandable.

After church we drove home and changed. Then we headed out to the Worcester Woods where we were meeting Paul and Hanna. It has been ages since we have been here and the boys were so excited. I was really excited to see Paul and Hanna. They are some of our closest friends despite them living in Glasgow.

We chatted as we walked through the woods and then let the boys played in the playground a bit. It was so cold but they didn’t seem to mind. I pushed them on the tyre swing and they were laughing so hard. I loved seeing their cute faces.

We then went home and chilled with our friends while the boys played on the switch. It was lovely being with them. I miss when we lived next to each other in Newcastle. I can’t believe that was so long ago. After they left we had dinner with the family and then just relaxed with them. We got the boys ready for bed and then got in the car and headed back to London. Still we had one more week of holiday. I hope it never ends.