It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!

I went to the Post Office the other day to mail some Christmas gifts to the UK.  After waiting in line for a long time, which is normal for most Post Offices around the world, I handed over my packages along with the customs forms that I'd filled out in advance to save time.  Imagine my surprise when I was told that even though it was indeed a Post Office, they couldn't actually mail my international packages.  I thought the man was taking the piss, so I politely laughed, but then I realized he was being serious.  Apparently his Post Office is too small to do international packages!  C'mon America, even the smallest Post Office in the Highlands of Scotland can mail things overseas without blinking an eyelid.  Anyway, after wasting a good half hour, I then had to get back in my car to drive across town to the big Post Office that could handle my mail.  "Have a nice day" the man told me as I childishly stomped out of his too small Post Office!

I love, love, love the weeks leading up to Christmas, and because we have 3 smallish kiddos, it's an excuse to go all out.  Yep, the 7 trees are up, the Christmas music playlists are on the computers and the Christmas CDs are in the van despite the protests of my poor husband.  One of our traditions each year is to drive to the Chick Fil A drive thru, order peppermint chocolate shakes for us (so tasty but no doubt full of horrible chemicals) and then pay for the order of the car behind us.  We did it at the weekend.  The kids loved scoping out the people in the car as we drove away, watching them smile when they were told their food was already paid for.  A small gesture, yes, but also a part of the spirit of the Christmas season for our family.

Speaking of Christmas, it's just over 2 weeks away!  My parents arrive soon and we're all very excited to see them.  We are so thankful that they are happy to travel halfway across the world to see us.  No matter where we've lived, even in South Korea, they always visit at least twice a year, spending at least 3 weeks each trip, which really is quality time - making memories and just hanging out doing everyday things.  My parents have an amazing relationship with the kids.  It's always so hard for us all when they leave, but as soon as they get home, they are planning their next trip.  The kids are always getting wee parcels in the mail from them and they talk on the phone regularly which is awesome.  While I love our life and all the traveling that we've done, the hardest part is definitely being away from my family.

So on that sentimental note, I'm off to begin a busy week.  It's time to bake some Christmas crack, make some Christmas cocktails, and no doubt gain a few pounds.  I'll also be finding time to watch my favorite Christmas movie, Love Actually.  I know, it's over the top cheesy, but it reminds me of all things British and I LOVE it.  The tears start flowing as soon as Hugh Grant begins talking about the people at the airport, and it's funny seeing Rick from The Walking Dead all fresh faced and beardless.  I'm sure there's a suitable medication out there to help me with that crying...! 




 

Mummy Fail

They say that you lose track of time when you're on vacation.  I just proved this to be true.  So much so that when we returned from our FL vacation last Saturday, I had my dates so mixed up that the Easter Bunny visited our house the day after we got back on Sunday 6th April.  I stayed up late the night before, packing up Easter baskets with chocolate, toys and bubbles.  I placed them carefully so that they would be the first thing the kids saw when they came downstairs the next morning.  I even smugly congratulated myself on being so organized by having it all ready in advance for when we got home from vacation!  But pride comes before a fall people...

Yep, Easter isn't till Sunday 20th April, so the Bunny was very premature indeed when he came to see us.  While my kids were playing outside later in the day with their friends, they told them what the Bunny had brought them.  Of course, the other kids and their parents were understandably confused but luckily my own kids were so excited that they didn't really notice that the other kids didn't think it was Easter.  I myself was totally oblivious until I spoke to my friend who enlightened me - thank goodness for friends who don't drop you in it when they realize you've messed up!  Eeek! 

They asked us at dinner why the Bunny had come so early.  While I don't enjoy lying to them, needs must!  I said that the Bunny must have heard me talking about Easter and didn't want them to be disappointed just because I got it wrong.  I said that he most likely was happy to come early to save him a trip to our house on the actual Easter.  It could have been worse, I could have said that Easter in Scotland is different from Easter in America...!   (Random fact - Mother's Day is on a different day in the UK and the US).  Anyway, now they know that Easter is still a couple of weeks away for real.  The daughter already knows that the Tooth Fairy doesn't exist because she caught the husband sneaking in to do the deed the only time I didn't do it myself.  Yes, I may have given him a very hard time about that, but this time, I only have myself to blame.

I love doing these things for the kids and seeing their excited wee faces, although I know not everybody does.  I remember how exciting it was to have the anticipation of Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny coming to visit.    Yes, I know Christmas and Easter are religious first and foremost and have a whole different meaning which we do explain to them, but the fun stuff is just that - FUN.  Kids grow up so quickly these days, why shouldn't they have as much fun stuff as possible? 

Anyway, lesson learned, check the calendar in future!!  Thank goodness Christmas is on the 25th every year :)