A Little Festive Catch Up And Little Loves

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I didn’t write a round-up last week, there was no time! But don’t you just love that festive buzz? Trying to get it all done, all the festive anticipation?

This year was always going to be different. The proverbial cat was now officially out of the bag and Christmas promises never to be the same again.

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This is something I have twittered on about all year. Determined to keep the spirit of Christmas going strong in my little family. And you know what? There is life after the big guy! The secret to success for me was managing expectations, not expecting less, just different.

Festive Christmas Hamper www.extraordinarychaos.com

Festive Table www.extraordinarychaos.com

Watched

The signs of life changing and the boys growing up were a huge feature of our festive season with Jack passing his driving theory test the day before Christmas Eve.

His test was booked for 8am in Skipton, which is a good 40 minutes away from our home and called for an extra early morning. Chris and I wandered Skipton in the dark watching the market waking up for day and sipped coffee as we waited for what felt like forever. Before Jack appeared grinning from ear to ear clutching his certificate.

So now we are excitedly looking for cars, trying to work out which are the best value to insure whilst still being cool. Of course he still has to pass his practical test. However is thrilled to be one step nearer, I just can’t believe one of our children will be driving very soon.

Heard

The amazing news just before Christmas that I had been chosen as the winner of the gorgeous Susanna’s Elite Island Family competition.

Read

Excited doesn’t even cut it, I am beside myself. I have spent loads of time reading about the resorts and still can’t decide which resort we would rather visit. But think we might have narrowed it down a little. Ooh to feel the Caribbean sun on my face!

What a wonderful early Christmas presents? We don’t know whether to look at cars or flights first, exciting times?

Wore 

Snuggly jumpers, and cozy dresses. Christmas has been a time spent chilling with family and friends. We seem to have packed loads in despite the obligatory winter colds! Have enjoyed family time and been busier than we usually are at Christmas, but had the most wonderful time.

Made 

Lovely memories, the boys were thrilled with their gifts and enjoying a bit of family time has been wonderful. I just wish I had picked my camera up a little more! The break from the Internet has been very much welcomed, its nice to have a little time to just focus on family life. We have seen family and friends, been for festive drinks and had chill days, its been perfect.

And the most delicious tiger bread with Camembert, if  you haven’t tried this its super easy and delicious, its wonderful as a starter or with soup.

bread cooked with camembert www.extraordinarychaos.com

Tried

I have added a gin fave to my little gin shelf. Have you tried The Botanist? Its delicious, so fresh, a real easy drinking gin with citrus flavour and notes of apple mint, coriander, orange and lemon peel, honey, coconut and wild mint. I think it has to be one of my top 5 gins. And is perfect for celebrating our recent successes.

The Botanist Gin www.extraordinarychaos.com

Now we look forwards to the New Year

It promises to be exciting, I am trying to work out if we can get flights to the US from the Caribbean to squeeze a few days in New York or a cruise, but not having much success finding anything.

Christmas Round Up www.extraordinarychaos.com

We have a very exciting trip to Center Parcs at the end of January, it’s the perfect winter break and something to look forwards to in the dark winter months.

Hopefully there will be a house move on the horizon, new cars and maybe a new school; the jury is still out on that one.

I haven’t started to think of New Years resolutions yet. I think because there is so much change on the horizon it almost feels like enough to be dealing with but none the less all very exciting.

Have a wonderful New Years Eve whatever you are up too

A Quick Catch Up, My Weekly Round Up

 

 

The Reading Residence

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19 thoughts on “A Little Festive Catch Up And Little Loves”

  1. Congrats on your win and your sons pass, what a great week.

    So funny I tried Cambembert for the first time Boxing Day and am now longing for some more, this look amazing xx

    Reply
  2. I was so pleased when i spotted your win, well done! What a wonderful thing to look forward to and be planning, and it sounds like you’ve lots of other plans to keep you very busy – but then a quiet week for you just wouldn’t be right, would it?! Glad you had a lovely Christmas, thanks for sharing with #WotW x

    Reply
  3. Hi Sarah, Chris, Jack and Jo
    Hey guys, glad to hear you all had a great Christmas.
    Well done on your win, sounds like exciting times for 2018.
    I can’t believe Jack is now learning to drive…..wow where did that time go….I remember him at Bewilderwood, a little boy enjoying the climbing and slides and now here he is driving.
    Josh is a teenager in January and I wish every day for him to be back to a toddler, they grow so quickly.
    We love following your blog and enjoy reading about your wonderful adventures.
    Going to try out the Gin, it’s not something we normally drink but it seems to be the IN drink at the moment, and yours sounds delish.
    We tried the Camembert over Christmas with some friends, and it’s amazing, we love Camembert done in the Aga but putting it in bread is better, have you also tried putting cranberry sauce and cranberries on top for 5 mins in the oven at the end of cooking, its delicious.
    Have a wonderful New Year, and we look forward to seeing your adventures on your blog.
    Love Debs, Graham and Josh Carter xx

    Reply
    • Aw thanks Debbie its so lovey to hear from you, I know its mad isn’t it? They grow so blooming quickly don’t they? Oooh I am going to try it with cranberries I bet that is sooooo good. We will have to meet in 2018 would be lovely to have a catch up x

      Reply
    • Ah thanks so much, I am still pinching myself and yes I am so excited about the year ahead, Happy New Year lovely lady x

      Reply
  4. Well done Jack ! and well done you on your win, how amazing. It sounds like you have had a lovely relaxing family Christmas, that tiger bread looks amazing. 2018 is already sounding super exciting for you, lots of lovely changes on the horizon. I hope you have a wonderful new year and an amazing 2018 xx

    Reply
    • I know it felt like such an amazing week Angela, I am so excited about the year ahead. And the same to you lovely lady have a wonderful 2018 x

      Reply
    • Thanks so much Cheryl its been a wonderful Christmas, the family time and chill time has been so much needed and enjoyed x x

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    • Thanks so much Debbie, yes here is to a great 2018, and the camembert is delicious. Christmas is all about the Christmas spirit isn’t it, thats what keeps the magic alive x

      Reply
  5. Wow what an exciting week! Congratulations to your boy for passing his theory test. Fingers crossed the practical test goes just as smoothly. And what a wonderful thing to win a holiday! I’m already excited to read all about it and see your photos once you’re there. Happy New Year 🙂

    Reply
    • Thanks Chloe yes he needs to get it booked and is so excited about driving, and I know arghhhh I am so excited. Happy New Year lovely lady x

      Reply
  6. Wow Sarah what an exciting week you had before the big day and huge well done to Jack for passing his theory test. I agree that the spirit of Christmas is still alive when the kids are older, it’s just a different kind of spirit and I love making new traditions as the kids grow up. And huge congratulations again for winning the competition, it couldn’t have happened to a nicer person x

    Reply
  7. It sounds like lots of congratulations are in order! What with your son passing his theory test and you winning a wonderful family holiday. It’s all very exciting! Here’s to more of that kind of thing in 2018! xx

    Reply
  8. How lovely to have a trip to the Caribbean to look forward to and what a wonderful early Christmas present that was. Well done to Jack on passing his theory test. Sounds like you had a lovely Christmas and that tiger bread and Camembert looks so good! Wishing you all a happy new year. #WotW

    Reply

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