The 16(feathers) Days of Christmas

So who doesn't love Christmas? Well maybe the Grinch!............ Myself on the other hand, I have always been a true lover of the Festive Season. There is something still truely magical about this time of year which hasn't left me since childhood. Then when you 'technically grow up' and have children (or the four legged variety for some of my friends!) to share in that joy of the holiday season surrounded by the people who you adore and love most in life, well it just gets even more magical.
So today marks the 1st day of the Festive Season. And today we took some time to share the 1st day of December as a family. This sounds all planned but believe me it wasn't really! In our household we lead busy lives; between work, the kids, training (exercise) and my sewing addiction. So sometimes its just nice to stumble on time together, without the itenary card.
We found ourselves down the street; me hoping to have a browse at dresses to wear for a friends wedding and also at the local farmers market. Here you could explore the delights of everything handmade and yummy. Local stallholders tempted onlookers with everthing from fresh organic vegetables to baked breads, samosa's, relishes and even organic beer!
Now with two toddlers, we found ourselves passing the stalls quicker than what we would have liked but the lure of the giant jumping slide and the firm hand (or should I say yanking?) of my 3.5 year old little man, I eventually give in. At this time, it's probably safe to say both parents had been stressed at a number points for the last hour. Funny that, the way a mind of a toddler works- we usually have the rule hold mums hand or the pram and most of the time, this works well. In & out of shops and past stalls, today our little man was on a roll. So here he was ducking in and out of clothes racks, running full pelt down the rows, taking pictures on the iphone of the girls behind a counter and speaking at the top of his voice. Aren't things like iphones meant to help and calm them down? No, tried that, not today bless his little cotton socks! Mmmm make a mental note....... next time it's probably safe to say don't take the kids when trying on clothes. But I do love my husbands opinion and it's just a given our kids pretty much come everywhere with us due to us living away from family.
So here I was back at the giant jumping slide. Before he got on we had a 'little talk' about what to expect and what should happen when the man tells us its time to hop off. (Last week buying seedlings up at 'Trash' for our vege garden, we found ourselves in the same prediciment and it did not end in a nice way!) Fingers crossed. And then all the feelings of concern lifted a little as I watched a little boy grow in confidence after the first run where he called out "I can't do it mum! I can't get up!" I egged him on and the joy on his face when he reached the top was priceless. Run after run, I watched him climb the set of tall stairs and bolted down that slide. He was having an absolute ball and still running off all that energy. It's amazing how watching that pure joy in his face took away the embarrassing thoughts I'd felt earlier. I was a pround mumma. Daddy was called over several times for a 'watch me dad'. Then the man called time. I held my breath. What could we expect? Then my joy continued as I watched a pleasent little fellow get off the slide hassle free. Whoo Hoo.
Next stop was the 'Petting Zoo' and of course both toddlers were as keen as mustard to get into there as quick as they could. But mumma was wary. Another 'little talk' and then we went in. I must say this was an absolute delight. Growing up on a country property I tend to forget what my children miss out on that I encounted everyday growing up. Experiencing and touching all sorts of animals. There were goats, lambs, guinea pigs, rabbits, piglets and ducklings.What a delight! They had an absolute ball and I just wanted to stay as long as I could and continue to watch that joy in their faces. Hence my decision to share a few pics of the day.
Then tonight we finished off with one of my most favourite things ever! We put up and decorated our Christmas Tree. I have been bursting to do this! As usual I put on the 'Frank Sinatra' Christmas CD and thought perhaps it was time that I should update this. The kids were not into the 'crooner' as I was. Still it was easy to continue watching all three children interact and discuss where there were placing their decorations. (Well Poppy gabbles rather than talks still!). I love unwrapping the decorations. Our tree has it's own theme. It tells the story of our travels overseas. Can't say I came up with the theme but a past collegue gave me the idea before I went away on my first trip overseas. Each country I have travelled to since, I have collected an ornament/decoration that I can hang on the tree. And somehow I find myself going back in time to all those places as I see each decoration unwrapped every year and ready to be hung on the tree. Such a wonderful time to reflect on in my travelled life and also another way to share those times with my kids as they grow older and understand more.

 

Oh how I love the Festive Season! What a truely remarkable day with the family. Unplanned......

And to coinside with this remarkable day I thought I wouldshare a little more christmas cheer. As mentioned on our facebook page, to help us celebrate reaching the 900 milestone we are doing the 12 days of christmas with a few specials and giveaways but in true 16feathers style....................... so it will run for 16 days.

So if you are still after the perfect handmade gift or stocking filler then look no further!

These specials and giveaways will sometimes come with a 'catch' so make sure you read all the fine print! They will be done randomly when I get a spare minute from my two little cherubs or in between sewing :) To make sure you don't miss out, by receiving all our specials & status updates head on over to our page and ensure you hover over the 'LIKED' button on our page & tick 'GET NOTIFICATIONS'.

www.facebook.com/16feathers

Lets have aVinty Christmas!