Calke at Christmas 2015

Today we went to Calke for our annual visit to see Father Christmas. We had planned to nip in and out to see Santa, however we had to wait for nearly an hour and a half (but thankfully it was a ticketed system this year) so we had a lovely lunch (as usual!), a good play in Squirts Stable and a walk down to the house.

Of course, Father Christmas was worth the wait and Louie got a lovely gift to take home for Christmas Day.

Its lovely to carry on these traditions each year, especially at a place that means so much to us :)

Christmas at Calke

 Apologies for the absence, preparing for Christmas this year has taken its toll and something had to give, unfortunatley that has been blogging! I have been incredibly busy just about every single day of December so far and now I have finished work and Mr Bee has finished school, I am very much looking forward to some quiet time to actually enjoy the festivities!

 This afternoon we made our annual visit to the Calke Christmas event. Our third year in succession, it seems to have become a tradition. I think this year has been the busiest it has ever been and the atmosphere was fantastic! We had a delicious lunch and roamed around the Fine Food Fair, we were very pleased with our artisan fudge purchase!

We made our visit to see Father Christmas, it was the longest we have had to wait (an hour!) but as always, he was fantastic and truly worth the wait in the bitter cold.

Louie had fun amusing himself in the queue, playing on the mounting block, watching the man with the music box and having a turn on the adorable old fashioned carousel, whilst Pappy got well and truly blown away, his hair was a picture!

Mr Bee and Father Christmas got on like a house on fire! Louie warned Santa  not to eat too many mince pies and they had a good old giggle together, it was absolutely adorable.

After another warm cup of tea and a play on the  heaving play park, we headed in to the gardens for the lights and labrynths trail starting from the church and ending in the house. We bumped in to one of Louie's school friends which made the day even more magical for him, as they ran together giggling along the way.
St Giles' was lit up in full glory and was a beautiful place to stand and watch the sun settle behind the trees on the shortest day of the year (whilst Louie spent aaaaages climbing a conifer...)

Another magical day spent at our lovely Calke, stunning as ever.

This Week

It has been a funny old week. Last week of work before the holidays (just one day to go!), baking bread, enjoying hearty soup and making christmassy treats, even though the Christmas spirit is just not sinking in this year.
Friday I finally had my first physio appointment which has crippled me for the weekend! Today we had a hobble around Calke Abbey for a visit to Father Christmas. Mr Bee was stricken by shyness and wouldn't look at Santa, let alone talk to him :(, aside from that, he has been a little angel all weekend.

Twas the Night Before Christmas

Christmas Eve, a day for traditions.

Sugar cookies made by the bee and me. Advent Santa came to pick which one we should leave for Real Santa when he comes to delivers the presents. 

 Mr Bee's advent scene courtesy of his Playmobil Advent Calendar. Worth every penny, he has played with it every day, he will be sad to see it put away I am sure!

 A whole day of preparing tomorrows Christmas feast, cooking the ham and making Tomato and Mascarpone soup.

 Two special books for a special little boy. A gift from our friend Helen to read on the night before Christmas, and the special gift Santa dropped off on his practice run last night ;)

 Then to set out the stockings and leave refreshments for Father Christmas and his faithful reindeers. Mr Bee really didn't like the smell of the Port, you should have seen his little face after he smelled it!

 And then to bring down all of the gifts, and my goodness there are a lot of them! That doesn't even include the star gift, of which we have a special plan. And the big present from Papa and I, which it seems Sonny Jim has taken a liking to!

Merry Christmas lovely readers, have a wonderful day with those who love you, hopefully this will be the best year yet :)

The Santa Special

On the 23rd December, we arranged a very special trip. We were taking Mr Bee on the Santa Special train ride, to meet Father Christmas!
It has been planned for months with the tickets waiting patiently. Unfortunately, the weather was not on our side, it was dreadful.

 I think this picture explains it all!
When we finally got on to the train, it was lovely, warm and cosy in our own little compartment. Mr Bee thought the seats were great for bouncing.

 We were the first ones to get to see Father Christmas, and Mr Bee was not too sure about him, but was more interested in the little elf sitting in a rocking chair under the christmas tree...

But Mr Bee was very gracious when he was given his gift of a Fireman Sam engine AND a car (spoilt little boy!) and said thank you very nicely and said goodbye. 

Sadly, Louie wasn't feeling his usual happy self afterwards and did fall fast asleep as the train was moving, but that was okay, he didn't miss anything. 

We were given a glass of sherry and a mince pie each and Mr Bee got yet another gift of a balloon reindeer, which he thought was rather fun!

Party Weekend

Mr Bee has been enjoying opening his advent calender. Thursday was a magic flannel as a present. He played in the water for ages and got thoroughly soaked!

Mr Bee has a new best friend, Panda! They have been doing everything together this weekend.

 On Friday, Mr Bee and I went out with Anna and Isaac to the garden centre. Louie was very excited to see all of the Santas and decorations. He is very excited that Santa will be coming soon. I can't wait for his special trip to see him next week.

Louie and the Camel

'Baa' at the sheep behind the donkey!

Isaac loved the decorations!

 When we got home, the house was all ready for the family party which was to take place on Saturday afternoon. Mr Bee had great fun playing around with all the extra tables and chairs.

We had all the family at our house for the annual get together. Unfortunately, all of my photos were rubbish which is a shame because Mr Bee had so much fun. My cousin was here with her little boy, Jacob. He and Mr Bee had awesome fun playing together. Louie was so busy loving him, and including everyone in whatever he was doing that he didn't go to bed until very late!
Sunday the stragglers were here again for the biggest Sunday lunch you have ever seen! All 18 of us queued up in the kitchen for our lunch and battled for a seat at our extra long dinner table. Even, Vito and Becka, Mr Bee's new best friends came between Papa and Vitos hardcore revision session at the library. They have lots of exams this week and are very busy bees!

The house is calm again now, back to its normal quiet self.