Merry Christmas!!

What a Christmas it has been so far this year! Thomas has been so excited about it for about a fortnight now that he couldn't believe it when we said to him yesterday morning that he could actually open his presents that were under the tree! There were so many that we kept having to have a break and play with the new toys, he was totally spoilt by us and all his relatives! We know that we're either going to have a major clear out of his existing toys, build an extension or move to a bigger house!!! We've tried to not give him too much of his favourite toy (Fireman Sam) to try and expand his interest and he seems particularly keen on toys with small characters with them so he just loves the pirate ship that came complete with pirates, the hobby horse that makes "clip clip" and "neighing" noises, his doctors kit and outfit, his puzzles and his new and improved fireman helmet is a real big hit so now we're fighting even more fires!!! After our meal we lit a few candles, turned out the lights and sang quite a few Christmas carols and songs that Thomas knew - he loved it! He especially loved the part when he could blow out the candles - we had to relight them a few times...as you can imagine!

Simon's mum, dad and sister came to us at 1pm and we opened even more presents, Thomas got a little over excited and was a little monkey but very cute with it!

My sister and her family and my parents popped over on the Sunday before Christmas to exchange gifts and here we all are!

Not sure what big brother Jacob did to Ellie!!!???

Here are a few pictures of Christmas day at Chez Poulter....

Surrounded by presents Thomas and the pirate ship!

the new and improved fireman helmet

on his horse with cowboy hat

eating dinner!

Boxing Day - we had a lazy morning at home doing a few chores and playing with our new things and then it was off to Nana's house for a big dinner. Thomas had a few more presents to open and then we ate...yum yum!

here is Thomas putting his smelly toes on the table....pooeey!

A play date with Santa

Two weekends ago we took Thomas to see Father Christmas at Leeds Castle with our NCT friends and we all had such a lovely afternoon. All the children loved the long walk looking at all the peacocks, ducks and geese and all the parents loved it too as we could all have a catch up too. We decided it would probably be best if we went to see santa all together as the little ones would get support from their little buddies and hopefully not cry too much. Bless their cotton socks as most of them were little angels and weren't frightened at all. Thomas was a good boy too but didn't want to sit next to Santa on the sleigh and was very impressed at all the decorations. He loved his present - a little penguin and carried him all the him all the way back to the car. We all then went to a large pub with restaurant afterwards and 'tried' to have a nice meal together. As always I was very on edge about food for Thomas but needn't have worried as he was having too much fun playing to want to sit down and eat food - he ate loads when we got home so I think all the walking made him very hungry and very tired! A few photos of a thoroughly lovely afternoon.

SNOW!

Last night we didn't know whether to believe the weatherman when he said we would have snow but woke up this morning to a winter wonderland as it had in fact snowed! Thomas was very excited and wanted to look at it from nearly every window in the house and then from the comfort of inside the front door and then the back door. "Mummy, Daddy snow cold!" is what he said and it was absolutely right!
Unfortunately I still had to go to work but Simon was able to stay at home and look after Thomas and he had such a fun day! They had to go out in the snow to dig with their spades and then made a lovely snowman in the front garden. I'm hoping the snow is still there tomorrow so I can join in the fun!!