When we returned back to the lodge Edward and Isabelle asked if they could make a snowman; so me Isabelle and Belle made a snowman as Ben, Edward and Adam made theirs. However when it came to pushing the snow into balls Ben quickly pushed with Isabelle and Belle so I wasn't putting strain onto my body.
After the snowmen had taken their shape and were stood next to each other Edward and Isabelle pushed stones down their snowmen's chests as Adam, Belle and Ben pushed sticks into the sides for their arms. Adam picked Edward up as Ben picked up Isabelle and they used stones to make their faces. When Edward and Isabelle were back on the ground they quickly took off their hats and scarfs and Adam and Belle quickly draped them over their snowmen's heads. We all then posed for selfies with our snowmen, one phone with Adam, Ben and Edward in, another phone with me, Isabelle and Belle and finally a group selfie with all of us in.
I loved having family moments like this as this was something that I never had growing up; and I knew that when we got home I would want them photos developed so we could always remember this time we had together.
After having getting changed and having lunch; Belle made us all hot chocolates to heat us all back up. As we drank these and me and Ben cuddled together our eager and playful little Beast and Dragon continued to play with the toys they brought to the lodge.
"Oh!" I grunted as I felt the twins give my stomach a swift kick.
"What?" Ben asked in concern as he looked down at me.
"They are playing havoc with my bladder" I advised as I readjusted myself in the seat.
"I see" he noted. "You not going to ring Evie?" he teased.
"No" I muttered. "She knows they are very active" I reminded him. "If I ring her it might panic her; and she will come here and stay here" I advised. "Not that wouldn't be ok; because it would be" I added. "I understand why they feel the way they do" I clarified. "It's just-" I started.
"Yes?" he prompted.
"I'm starting to feel smothered by them" I muttered hoping that Adam and Belle couldn't hear our conversation, thankfully they couldn't as me and Ben were on the other end of the room.
"I see" he noted. "Me too" he advised and I watched as he pursed his lips together. Yes I know that this was my idea; so technically I was putting both me and Ben threw this - but we both had decided on doing this for our family. I just don't think neither of us realised how hard it was going to be actually being in this situation.
"We need this private family time" I smiled meekly as I brushed my nose against his. "And it's not as if we are hiding anything from her; she already knows they enjoy using my bladder as a football" I chuckled meekly.
"Yeah" he muttered and we snuggled tightly together. As I snuggled my face into his chest I felt him press a kiss against the top of my head and I sighed. Yes I knew that I was doing a good thing for Evie and Doug but I couldn't wait for my due date so I could return back to my other priorities, my husband and children - who I still felt I was still neglecting slightly at the moment.
Before we went to bath the children so we could relax with them before putting them to bed we then gave them their stockings and Christmas Eve boxes. I smiled as the memory of Belle making both the stockings for the pair of them; Edward's stocking was dark blue stocking with a snowy scene on it with his name in bright gold letters. Isabelle's stocking was similar however the stitching on her name was bright sliver instead of gold.
Ben and Adam quickly picked them up so they could each hang their stockings up next to ours; before they eagerly ran up to me to get their Christmas Eve boxes, which looked similar to their stockings. They then picked them up and took them in front of the fire so they could open them.
In Edward's Christmas Eve box there was a new pair of dark blue slippers, pajamas and dressing gown. There was also sweets and treats so he could eat them while he was watching Elf before going to bed. There was also a new Christmas book that Belle had found shopping and she bought one for Edward and Isabelle. Finally in the box was a snowman teddy bear which looked similar to the snow man that he had built earlier on today.
In Isabelle's Christmas Eve box there was a new pair of bright pink slippers, pajamas and dressing down. She also had the same book, sweets and treats as her brother however instead of a snowman we had bought her a reindeer teddy.
They both loved their gifts and they started to jump around eagerly as they knew that Christmas Day was coming up shortly. I loved seeing them like this; however I knew that getting them to sleep tonight may be problematic due to their excitement.
Me and Ben quickly bathed and changed Edward and Isabelle into their new pajamas, dressing gown and slippers before we quickly did the same as our children was with their grandparents. I was dressed in a light pair of dark purple pajamas with matching slippers and dressing gown whereas Ben had the same apart from his was dark blue.
When we walked into the living room everyone was sitting waiting for us with Elf paused on the DVD player. Me and Ben quickly sat down to see that Adam or Belle had already placed treats on the coffee table with our drinks. I smiled as I noticed that they also had put treats down that I could eat due to my pregnancy - as most things were having effects on my body.
Edward and Isabelle then cuddled into me and Ben and we all cheered as Adam pressed play on the DVD and Elf started to play. As the opening credits started to sound out around the room I started to run my fingers through Isabelle's bright purple locks as she snuggled into my right side. Somewhere in the middle of the film I drifted off the sleep; and I was woken up to everyone staring at me as Isabelle gently woke me up at the end of the film. I quickly apologised before pressing a kiss to the top of her head; and snuggling back into her - not wanting our cuddle to end.
Before putting Edward and Isabelle to bed Belle read her annual Night Before Christmas Story; I watched as Edward and Isabelle sat at Belle's feet as she told the story in complete awe of their grandmother. She lovingly and soothingly told the story and by then end of story I noticed an excited twinkle in both of their eyes.
Afterwards me and Ben then helped Edward and Isabelle put out cookies and milk for Santa Claus and carrots for his reindeer. Edward and Isabelle then quickly said their good nights to Adam and Belle before they ran back towards me and Ben.
I slid my right hand into Edward's left hand and we slowly walked towards his bedroom as Ben carried Isabelle into her bedroom. Edward then quickly let go of my hand before he ran up to his bed and quickly jumped onto it. He then eagerly slid over to the left hand side of his bed and pulled the covers back. I then slowly walked over to him and I sat down on his bed as he lay down.
"Mammy?" He asked sweetly as I pulled the covers over him as he rolled onto his left side.
"Yes Eddie?" I replied as I stroked my left hand through his bright purple hair.
"Can you lie with me for a little bit please?" He asked hopefully,
"Of course" I answered as I slowly and carefully lay on my left side.
"Thank you Mammy" he yawned as he readjusted his head against the pillow.
"You're very welcome my little Beast" I muttered as he smirked at this. I knew that I was going to have to be careful as I knew there was a good chance that I was going to fall asleep next to him. But I knew that I only needed to wait so long before he fell asleep; that is however on the basis that Edward wasn't in a chatty mood. Thankfully to keeping him very active during the day had tired him out - so around twenty minutes past of just us muttering aimlessly to each other as we lay in silence watching each other his eyes started to roll. I pressed a kiss against the top of his head, causing him to grunt before I slowly and carefully climbed off his bed. I then turned off the bedside light before I walked out of the room, quietly closing the door behind me.