December Loving........

I'm trying very hard to be 'relaxed'.....

......to just go with the flow.....

....and enjoy this December.

Just a few more birthdays to go before I can really think about Christmas without distraction.

These past few years I have really been trying hard to get the Bears to focus on what Christmas is actually all about. It's a difficult one. It's every child's dream to wake up on Christmas morning to a sack full of presents.....but I have been finding the pressure of advertising aimed at Children too much. I don't want my children growing up just thinking it's all about getting the latest trend in toys. I don't want them to just 'expect' to get something, rip the paper off, look at it for a moment and then move on to the next item. I also find now that individual toys now are just so expensive. Ridiculous in fact. It puts a real pressure on parents. These past couple of years we have been making the elder Bears try and learn the true value of money. I want them to appreciate what they open on Christmas morning.....but above all, I want them to appreciate that, although presents are great, being with family is far more important. Okay, so it's difficult with very young children......and Baby Bear is at that age still, but my older two Bears are at an age where they can start to understand it all more.

I've talked a lot with my older Bears about what it means to be with family. Memories created in family 'get togethers' stay far longer than memories of what toys one had each year. Of all my Christmasses as a child, I can only remember a few single items that I unwrapped (a huggy bear, anyone remember those? They wrapped around your bike. They were like gold dust and my mum said she drove for miles to countless little toy shops (no super stores in those days) in search of one), but I remember the excitement of opening stockings in front of my mum and dad, and my grandparents, just little sweets (always rainbow pops) and pencils etc. Every year I would get those little Cadbury's chocolate machines. It was a tradition I loved. But anything else? Nope. I just fond memories of the day as it unfolded being with my whole family for that day. Everybody under one roof, playing family games, wearing silly hats and feeling happy being with everyone. I think in this day and age it's even more important. Parents work far longer hours, so spending a few days with a whole family together can be a real luxury.

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Christmas decorations this year have been fairly minimal in my house. I'm not sure why, maybe it has to do with my pink tree. I'm usually a traditional red and white girl, they don't really mix well with pink. But it has been quite nice to be different this year. There has been a fair amount of laughter because of it. It's a poor effort this year, and Baby Bears' enormous paper chain covers the whole of the pink tree.....literally. I am a bit like 'Monica' (Friends) with my tree, so to have it completely ensconced in a HUGE neon green and blue paper chain...well......it's taking everything I have to leave it there. But leave it there I shall, and laugh at everyone laughing at me!

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So........

In December I'm loving......

Steaming hot lattes

(I'm hoping that very skinny and very decaf are helping with my obsession)

Watching the hyacinths 'unfold'

(I am stupidly excited. I ADORE Hyacinths and cannot wait for them to burst into colourful life and fill the room with their scent)

Porridge on the go

 (My weekdays are consisting of a late lunch in the car on a school pick up. Wrapped up warm and scoffing slowly eating some hot porridge.)

Cake Making

 (About as Christmas cakey as I'm going to get!)

Finishing off bits and pieces

 (Yes, a rubbish selfie, I know. Where are the Bears when I need them to hold a camera.....but I finished it.....YAY! My sparkle scarf is finished and happily adorning my neck. It looks grey and drab in this picture, but it really is lovely with just the right amount of sparkle. Done in time to wear over the Festive period. I CANNOT WAIT!)

Being inspired by my 'Crochet' board in Pinterest and gathering ideas for 2014 makes

 (I LOVE spending a few moments here and there going through the pins on my boards. How many of you just pin and pin and never actually look at what you've pinned again?!!!)

If you fancy being inspired......just click on the Pinterest button on my side bar and it will take you to my boards.

So, I'm thinking this is my last post before Christmas.

HAVE A BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS ALL

Tootle Pip

xxx