With one week to go before the big day I’ve realised that I haven’t written a diary update since before Halloween. I try really hard to write them every so often so that we can look back and remember what we were up to but the more time I leave it the more time seems to go on and I’ve decided I just have to bite the bullet and update with some pictures for posterity.

The run up to Christmas is usually frantic for us. When Florence was born the other Mummys I met all had their babies at a similar time so in year’s gone past we’ve been to a birthday party ever weekend from the beginning of November right up to Christmas. This year, with so many of us leaving London, we decided to go back to Leytonstone as one big posse and hold a party together meaning our own individual birthday celebrations could be smaller with not quite so much work but so that we could still see our special friends for a party.

We have, as like most years, held Florence’s party ahead of time and although not all our London pals were coming we still had a couple and mixed them with our new friends which worked perfectly. a pottery painting party at Dotty Pottery in Norwich was so much fun and exactly what Florence wanted. And then, with two of our friends up to stay we had a big sleep-over. It was a really fun weekend and we can’t wait to do it again soon.

It was the following weekend when we headed back to our old stomping ground for the big ‘Stone party. We weren’t the first to leave the area so often it’s gone big chunks of time before when the kiddos haven’t seen each other but somehow it’s never a problem. They slip easily back into their old friendships and without even so much of a hint of shyness at the beginning they spend their time together laughing and giggling. As did the grown ups!

Then came the end of school which was a relief as they were both exhausted. Jimmy has learned to read and write, I can’t put it more simply than that because it’s not just a little bit like he could before he started, he now just totally GETS it. The puzzle has been cracked and it’s beautiful to watch but he, like Florence, is so tired now from working so hard that the run up to the break was dotted with coughs, colds, tummy bugs and general under the weatherness. Still, it didn’t mean we have had time for lots of fun.

There was no nativity at the school (which I was most disappointed with) so no tea towel on head shots for us this year but… We did have a craft and carol evening which was pretty splendid and Florence got to play her ukulele and recorder in a festive assembly while with her ballet group she performed in a beautiful performance of Peter Pan. She was a star and did the job so perfectly. She has ballerina legs that girl! Jimmy, who was grotty for the whole day but bestowed us with a moment of beauty before bed, said ‘She was the brightest little star of the stars on the stage. Did you cry a little Mummy? I did, but not tears of sadness, tears of pride!

Where does he get these things from I wonder? But it wasn’t just he and I who were impressed, of course Daddy came and with a full Grandparent contingent we decided together that she was absolutely brilliant. And yes to Jimmy, I did have a little tear or pride too!

I’m so very proud of them both as we come towards the end of 2016. Jimmy is loving school and although I miss him dreadfully I can see how good for him it is – and the writing, oh wow the writing impresses me tremendously. He’s made great friends who he talks of all the time and continues to be a total but beautiful lunatic every day. Florence has also grafted since September and is loving drama (that’s my girl) as well as all her other activities of ballet, tap, modern, ukulele and recorder. She loves school and her teacher tells me she couldn’t work any harder but she enjoys it so long may it rein.

And now it’s on to Christmas. And then my baby girl actually does turn 7… How does time go so quickly? I know it’s because we’re having fun so I don’t want that to stop but boy I could do with it all slowing down just a touch!

HAPPY CHRISTMAS to one and all and a very Happy New Year all round we say.

*This may not be strictly true but don’t worry, my Mum is doing her tree tomorrow and Florence is totally getting the top of the tree honour!