Weekly Wisdom

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The Saturday Update

What a week! After a lovely family day on Sunday, Isabella was sick all over the door step just in time to scare off some St Nicholas carolers.

In the end, we've all been off ill part of the week. I worked Monday and Friday and Isabella was only at nursery Friday which meant that she unfortunately missed her St Nicholas breakfast on Friday but she made up for it at home.

In between, we got more Christmas prep done which means I just need to do a bit more ordering and making and we'll be ready.

Next week is our last full week and we're hoping to catch up with various friends.

Christmas Music

Having seen the Coca-cola advert and hearing Germany's Xmas favourite - Last Christmas by Wham on the radio, I'm ready to say it's Christmas though I am still waiting for the big one:

I've got my xmas videos lined up for school so it won't be long until I get to enjoy it.

Currently...

...delving into family history.
...sewing like a machine.
...preparing for another busy Christmas.
...getting over another nursery induced illness
...drinking lots of coffee.
...eating all the mince pies.
...writing cards and letters.
...planning exciting things for 2016.
...enjoying giggles with Isabella.
...reviewing Isabella's year in photos - can't believe the difference in her!

Christmas Cards

Since living in Germany, I've always made my own Christmas cards. I enjoy it and had some new ideas this year but with everything going on, I haven't had time and I'd rather get something out on time than nothing at all.

I decided that if I was going to buy cards, they should be charity ones and promptly sought out three charities with cards on Amazon - Alzheimers, Cancer UK, and Strokes. Unfortunately, when I went to check out, it would have cost more to have the cards sent to me than it would to buy them in the first place.

Finally I went on the German Amazon site where the choice of charities is much more limited, and ordered three packs for children's charities.

St Nicholas' Day

Sunday was Saint Nicholas' Day and it's a really big deal here in Germany.

Children leave their shoes outside and in the morning, they are magically filled with gifts.

We saw family on Sunday and were well and truly spoilt. Isabella received a Christmas book, lots of chocolate and...

...Gustav the bouncy reindeer.

 She loves him. We were also treated to this beautiful electric candle decoration. It really adds to our Christmas stmosphere and is Isabella proof!

Make it Monday: Girls Jersey Top

This is the top we bought Isabella at the craft fair. It's going to be her 'something to wear' Christmas present.

It's my first big adventure in jersey and the first two steps - appliqueing the star to the front and hemming the ruffles - were infuriating. Once I got the hang of it though, it wasn't all that bad. I was dreading the collar and sleeves but they were fine.

It has a velcro fastening at the collar but velcro isn't included so I just need to get that and it's done.

I love the colours and I love the professional look that the overlocker gives the seams.

The pattern can be reused and there's a boy version so I may revisit this one. For now, I hope she likes it!

Weekly Wisdom

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The Saturday Update

Well I got back from England on Sunday evening. It was lovely to see Isabella and Nico waiting for me at the station.

Work was busy as ever all week and I got back on top of the house work, cleaning, washing, shopping etc on my day off.

We also got our Christmas decorations up and started planning gifts for family. Winter market at school was the highlight of the week. It was very busy but we enjoyed it.

This weekend we are celebrating Nico's aunt's birthday and then it's a regular week hopefully.

Christmas Food

 What foods get you in the Christmas spirit? Round here it's satsumas, hazelnuts and walnuts. Nico recently bought these lovely dishes for the nuts and Isabella loves to play with them even if she's still too young to appreciate the taste.

And of course, mince pies. Nico makes amazing gluten free mince pies which always remind me of our engagement, three years ago. These won't be here for long.

Resolutions

With the end of the year creeping quickly closer, I've been thinking about what 2016 might look like for us and what I want to acheive in the next twelve months - more on that later.

Recently I found some old papers encouraging us to get Isabella into reading. She loves books already. Of course she's too young to read alone but already, she recognizes pictures, certain books (Peeeeepo) and knows when they are upside down.

I want to start taking her to our local library next year. Maybe once a month. Personally, I prefer to buy books but I'm a huge snob. I've loved to read from a young age and some of my best memories were taking out books from our local library.

 I think it will be a great way to engage Isabella more. Our local library is in the high school so it's not open Saturdays but they do open two evenings a week and it's free for her to join. They also have regular story tellings for little ones so we can meet new people too.

I think I'm looking forward to it the most!

Christmas Decorations

 So December is here and it's time to make things Christmassy. I was struggling to find space for our tree this year. In the end we brought down sn unused table from upstairs. It has lots of space for presents. It's on wheels. At first I wasn't sure it would work with Isabella and Pete around but so far it's okay. Pete had one ride on it.

Isabella wasn't so sure about this decorating idea at first - she couldn't figure why mummy kept taking the new toys away and putting them out of reach on a tree. She got used to it eventually though. Above you can see the Christmas candle holder she made at nursery. Yes, she's obsessed with candles and fire right now.

 There's my Santa from the craft market - also safely out of reach. And this year I really wanted a Poinsetta. It was the only flower Gran ever used to allow in her flat. We've avoided them in the past as they are poisonous to cats and babies but since both of ours have grown out of eating houseplants and it's out of the way on the table, we're giving it a go this year. I love it.

December Goals

This month I want to:

• Get a family photo
• Complete three craft projects
• Get our cards and gifts prepared
• Make Christmas special for Isabella
• Rest