The day started in the usual way, I woke up and looked in on my daughter’s bedroom. She was already awake, sat downstairs with daddy and her brother. I took her her clothes and started to get her dressed. Refusing to let me help her, she started protesting. I gave up and let her out her own dress on.  It was a little later when I realised my daughter had put socks on rather than tights. We then had a fight as I forced her socks off and put her tights on. It’s amazing how wriggly a 5 year old can be, but I’m pleased to say that I won.  It is too cold outside to spend the day in socks.

We left daddy at work and drove on to school. Once the car was parked we went through my son’s spellings again, then read his school book. The dramas of school and homework, trying to fit everything in alongside the pressures of play and the iPad. He answered all his spellings correctly so we were confident that he would be alright. However, he was not happy when he came out of school later. He told me that his spelling test had gone badly as he only got 9 out of 10. The one he got wrong was author, I told him not to worry about it, he had done well and author is a difficult spelling.

I spent my day trying to sort out presents and food. The joys of being mum at Christmas as it all falls on my head. Organising the presents, wrapping the presents, trying to ensure an equal amount between the two children. Also ensuring that daddy has something he wants. Trying to keep everyone happy and making it a special day.

I bought the essential brussel sprouts in Morrison’s today as well as carrots which need to be left out for Santa’s reindeer. Also coca cola for Santa and apparently now reindeer like coke too. Trying to remember all the essentials including batteries for the kid’s new toys.

On my first visit to Morrison’s today at 8.30am, the car park was nearly empty and the supermarket was quiet.  When I returned later at 12.00 the car park was packed. I drove around in circles trying to find somewhere to park. I finally found someone loading their car so sat and waited for them to move, feeling relief that I would not need to do another circuit of the car park.  The supermarket was now full and stressful, I’m very glad that I do not work there. The thought of being sat on a checkout with a queue of stressed customers with full shopping trollies does not sound like fun to me.  I was pleased to get out and get back home.

Due to trying to get presents ready for Christmas, making the most of my last day by myself I did not get the chance to put a load of washing on. The machine takes 3 hours and I do not like to go out and leave it on. So it is now on and will be finishing very soon, another job for me to unload it and hang the clothes on the airer.

Daddy meanwhile is upstairs reading in bed. I could be wrong but being mum feels the harder job, I’m forever doing something for the household.  The last time I had my hair cut was over a year ago, possibly May 2017, yes it is a mess, but all the money goes on kids, daddy, food, drink, the car and bills.  My hair comes way down the list of priorities. It’s all part of being mum, our needs seem to come last and it is us that gets blamed when things go wrong.

When collecting the children this afternoon my son was not happy, he was sad to not be seeing his teacher again till the new year. His words were, “but she’s so pretty”. It’s nice that he thinks so much of her. My daughter was just happy to be coming home. Her teacher had given her a little present which she opened in the car. It was a craft set to make her own reindeer headband. She sat and made it herself without help as I had work I needed to finish. However, I don’t think she really wanted help, Miss Independent, she has made it a little wrong but she is happy and has taken it to bed with her.

When we got home the children were surprised to see their elves playing on the fridge, naughty elves. I wonder whether they were trying to get in and eat some food, maybe they are hungry. The kids found this very funny and are entering into the magic of the elves being mischievous. This morning the girl was found on the tree and the boy on top of the bookcase. I really should have started this weeks ago.

Tomorrow I have mince pies to make, I am wondering whether to add marmalade to some of them. It seems an interesting combination, marmalade and mincemeat.  I have also made the decision to change my blog to self-hosted, so I am not sure if it will look different tomorrow night. My web address is also changing to www.justmuddlingthroughlife.co.uk.   It is a new venture and a new step for me in the world of blogging.  I am just hoping I have made the right decision but time will tell.

Anyway, I am now going to get some rest, ready for a busy day tomorrow and the ongoing stress of being mum.