Hello there!

How is everyone doing?

Surviving? Has anyone had half term and is now on that final run down to the craziest time of year? :laughing:

We're on half term this week. Tomorrow I have a house full of big mindees. Can't wait to have them, but I know it's going to be full on halloween craft! Going to take them out for a good run in the morning, so hopefully ( HAHAHA I CAN DREAM! ) they'll be a bit calmer in the afternoon! Got lots of craft activities lined up, and then PHEW! it will be done! I am working the rest of the week, but with only littlies, so we can do a 'nod' towards halloween, but nothing much! I'm not really that keen on halloween myself, and have been known to take the day off before now, to avoid all the hooha.

How is anyone doing getting ready for the end of the year? I think I've just about sorted minded gifts, and my mothers, and possibly my niece & nephew, but other than that, NOTHING and no ideas! I expect DD will readily provide us with a list :laughing: DS has already said he doesn't know. He was/is saving for a new car, but in that he now lives in central London - doesn't need/has no room for a car :(

Toying with the idea of seeing if DH is up for going away somewhere hopefully sunny for a few days over Christmas and making that every ones present! Not sure if it is do-able due to current commitments, but I'd like to try! Ideally somewhere sunny, but otherwise, happy with UK ... as long as I don't have to cook!

I was thinking about you today Loocyloo! I was wondering how you were feeling now that your DS has moved away. Is he enjoying
where he lives now?

I've got my mindees Christmas presents, but most of them have a birthday either just before Christmas or early January, and I'm not sorted for those. I've also got one who leaves at Christmas, so she'll be getting three gifts from me in a short period of time. I always wish that they would leave just before their birthday, or just before Christmas! I've potentially got one starting in December - so I guess they will need a little gift if they do start!

I'm taking Halloween off this year. I'm taking DD on a birthday shopping trip to Birmingham. She has no idea what she would like for her birthday/Christmas and I have no idea what to get her. I have been saying that for the last few years, but have always done alright in the end, but this year I genuinely have no idea.

Ooooh, going away for Christmas! Have you done it before? I'm such a homebody, but the no cooking does sound wonderful!

Its weird having DS away , but equally not. He was away at Uni, so used to him not being around, but DD has come home for half term, and obviously he hasn't! I saw him a few weeks ago, and am meeting up again in a few weeks when i'm in London. trying to persuade him to come home for a weekend!

enjoy shopping!

We used to go away for Christmas a bit when i was a child, but the only 'away' for Christmas we've done since being married is staying with relatives! DH isn't keen ... ( yet its me who generally does all the cooking etc! ... LOL, he keeps saying 'but we've ordered a turkey' :laughing: I keep saying we can cancel it, or give it to someone, or ask someone to freeze it for us!)

Better go, hoards of children are arriving :laughing::laughing::laughing:

We are on half term this week and it's been a quiet one as I have quite a few term time only ones and then the older ones who normally come in the holidays are on holiday with their families. I had all these ideas for this week thinking I would have the older ones but it's mainly under 2s.
I have mixed feelings about Halloween but I do get a few sweets in as some of the mindees make a point of coming to my house.

I was very excited that I had sorted out one present last month and that's it haven't got any more since, I have a rough idea for some presents just need to get them. My two boys both live away now as they finished uni and got jobs away and I do miss them but they are both happy which is the main thing. It is harder to know what to get them now as they both work and if they want something they buy it themselves.


Enjoy the rest of the week.