I write this feeling a bit guilty as somehow our house has managed to avoid the dreaded 'cock up xmas' Covid visit – while others (Clare & Andy, Sarah & Paul, Fiona McA the most recent) have had the unwelcome little sod arrive just in time to balls everything up. Hoping everyone is recovering well and that early Jan get togethers can instead be planned..
So very luckily we managed a nice eve over at Nurse's in Chiswick, with Mr H bravely taking pout both of their kids for the afternoon while I – thank god – had the excuse of a pre-booked, deposit-paid manicure up my festive sleeve. I tipped up just in time for the pre dinner dancing show (Sheep headgear compulsory) before H cooked up a turbot storm. I even managed to read Elizabeth her bedtime story without excessive grinchiness, not bad for me.
Xmas Eve then heralded our now annual walk with Mikey, Margo & the kids on the common, followed by lunch back at ours. Emmy determined to drag an even bigger stick than Scrumpy can manage, back to build a den. And a few prezzies, which seemed to go down ok, phew. Both kids growing up, as I know they do – and both still very much in our list of faves. Also a great excuse for some trifle scoffing post the gammon ham – yum.
No sooner had they headed off than we were back in the kitchen, knocking out a few final nibbles & fizz for the family next door. The lovely Anita (Sadler! But no, not that one) and 6 foot 7 Rob (giving our Xmas tree a run for its money on height) plus their two girls and Nomma, Anita's Canadian mom (who looks SO young) over here for the xmas break.
The girls whipped out song sheets and a flute and oboe, grade 7 and 8 luckily, so all good in the hood, and we banged out a few nearly-carols for an hour or so. Then the door was closed and it was finally SOFA TIME. Oh yesssss.
A fine run up to the Big Day – punctuated further by yet further panicky calls and texts to & from Cathy to help sort out their 'England Ahoy' imminent attempt at getting here.
And with only 48 hours to go, we STILL had no idea if they would actually make it…. 2 more sleeps to find out.
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