In the blink of a eye it was Christmas eve, the whole year had seemed to drag by at a snail's pace taking a age to end with each week feeling like a month and yet with December it was over half way through in what felt like a week. it was a cruel trick after the year taking too long to pass the only thing to look forward to was soon to be over and with the news of what was happening across the world it would seem most of 2021 would have the same pattern. Not much to do.
Sitting on the sofa she was enjoying the peace and quiet with a coffee before everyone else got up. With Christmas only 24 hours away the kids would be hyper than ever with the excitement of it all. Especially when they saw what the elves had left them as a parting gift an early Christmas present in the form of a Christmas eve box. Each box had a pair of new Christmas pyjamas, a Christmas theme book, some snacks for the annual Christmas eve movie, a hot chocolate powder with marshmallows and a special new Christmas mug A colouring book and crayons for the kids some special, reindeer food to help the reindeer find the house. (oats with edible glitter) and a letter from Santa saying they must go straight to bed.
Hearing the thundering of the footsteps as Grace Came down the stairs desperate to see what the elves had done overnight, she burst through the door.
"Grace how many times do I have to tell you to stop thundering up and down the stairs. You sound like a whole herd of elephants" Kate sighed sipping her coffee.
"can I go find the elves" she said bouncing up and down.
"wait for Nicole and Chris please" Kate said walking in to the kitchen. Flicking the switch on the kettle"
The Christmas eve boxes had been placed on the table in the kitchen with a note from Trixi and Bob saying that they had fun this year. And they had to go back to the north pole to Santa but they had made a special Christmas eve present.
Opening the box Grace rummaged through pulling out the bag of sweets first ripping open the bag.
"those were for the Christmas eve movie" Kate sighed
"oops" grace grinned a mouth full of sweets.
"right Who is for some Christmas Pancakes" Mike smiled placing his box on the floor
"Meeee!" Grace jumped up bouncing around in circles
"well calm down missy and they will soon be ready" Mike smiled walking in to the kitchen pulling the things out.
Half an hour later Mike placed a plate of fluffy pancakes on to the table. Grace loaded hers with chocolate sauce. Tucking right in getting the sticky sauce all over her face. Sighing watching Kate knew this would just be the start of the sugar rush that would occupy the next 3 days with the sweet sticky pancakes as well as the huge selection boxes her mother-in-law always sent them and the sweets sent from the crew the kids would be higher than kites for days.
The day passed with not much to do. They had decided to stay in as all the shops would be hell on earth more than 2020. With people trying to get the last minute presents or food items they had forgotten to get. Deciding that what they hadn't got they wouldn't miss and it was only one day that the shops were closed and if they were absolutely desperate then they could head out on boxing day to get some extra bits.
"Mummy I am board" Grace moaned
"why don't you do a picture in your colouring book and you can leave it for Father Christmas tonight" Kate said sipping her drink Mike had just handed her
"that's boring" Grace sighed scuffing her foot along the floor
"well, you could help me with the gingerbread house?" Mike suggested
"yay" Grace jumped up running in to the kitchen
"Wash your hands first" Mike called following her in to make sure she didn't eat all the sweets "let's just hope I am not going to regret that" He smiled back over at Kate.
Heading upstairs Kate pulled out her own Christmas pyjamas. An elf onesie, it had stripy legs with black calf to imitate boots. The main body of the suit was green with a skirt coming around the waist.
Picking up a sleigh bell rattle she walked down the stairs in to the living
"OMG mum what the hell are you wearing" Nicole looked up from reading her Christmas book she had in her Christmas eve box
"its for the jingle which starts in 10 minuets" she smiled
"Jingle"
"yeah, it's this world-wide thing that at 6pm local time you stand on the door step and ring a bell to help Santa on his way"
"you are insane" Nicole laughed
"well its only you 4 that have sent me that way" Kate grinned
"4?" Mike walked over
"yes, I am including you in that Flynn as you can be worse than the kids at times" she smiled avoiding Mikes kiss.
"is that so McGregor"
"yes now lets go stand on the doorstep and jingle our bells"
"never say that again it sounds wrong" Mike whispered
"only to you" Kate smiled lifting Chris up in to her arms heading on to the doorstep.
Their whole street was out shaking their bells for Santa like they had been clapping for Key workers at the start of the year. It was wonderful seeing all the little ones ringing sleighbells so Santa could find them was heart-warming.
They spent the evening watching the Polar Express before bed. It was the ultimate Christmas eve film showing a visit to the north pole on Christmas eve. Chirs fell asleep half way through. Carrying him upstairs Kate tucked him in kissing him gently on the forehead. Heading down she went in to the kitchen and poured a glass of Milk and plated up some ANZAC cookies
Eventually the other two went to bed. Flopping down on the sofa Kate sighed Grace was asking half a dozen questions about when Santa would arrive and would he have all the things she had asked for.
"i give it an hour" Mike smiled
"i give it 20 minuets" Kate said
Less than half an hour later they could hear the sound of feet on the stairs
"what are you doing up sweet" Mike said as Grace walked in to the living room
"i cant sleep" she said sadly
"you cant sleep" Mike repeated "why cant you go to sleep" Mike sighed wondering what she would come up with
"i don't know" Grace said sadly "i think I have forgotten" she said#
Sniggering Kate tried not to smile as that would only encourage her.
"come on if you don't go to bed then Santa wont visit will he" Mike said softly leading his daughter up the stairs back to her room where she would hopefully stay.
At around Midnight they both checked the Kids were asleep before carrying the sacks that had remained hidden in the annex down to place in front of the fire place. She hoped that they would enjoy the things. It was a curse in one sense. They had forked out for all the gifts and let Santa Clause take the credit but it was worth seeing the joy on their faces.
so hope you like Christmas eve with the Flynn's. i will try and get Christmas day up soon but as is it is yet to be written i dont know how soon it will be. anyway the 'forgotten how to sleep' is pinched from a mummy blogger i follow in Facebook and its what her 4yo said the other week whilst the mum was live on FB
anyway huge love and merry christmas i hope Santa brings you all you have asked for and more x
