The Penultimate Week

Only one more week to go of school before the Christmas holidays!  This week was a struggle. Such hard work keeping spirits up and knowing that there is another full week ahead.  But we managed it, somehow!  The kids are all exhausted, and so are the teachers - you can see it on everyone's faces. Everyone is a bit grumpy and we are just counting down the days.  We haven't really had a proper relaxing break since Mexico at Easter, that was 8 months ago!  Since then, our week's holidays have been, lots of visitors or moving country, not exactly relaxing.  Roll on Christmas, and then Sri Lanka in February!

Anyway, this week, we had the tree lighting ceremony at school on Monday, which was lovely.  Our friend is in the community choir, and there was hot chocolate, mulled wine and mini mince pies - very festive.  On Tuesday, we headed to the market to pick up Matt's suit, which he has had made - the trousers aren't quite right, so we will go back again next week.  Matt was meant to meet me there, but his meeting went on until 6.15!  So I wandered about, not really in the mood for shopping, until he got there. I did manage to buy a few small Christmas pressies. One more to go, then I am completely finished.  On Wednesday and Thursday, I was in bed by 8.30pm!  Matt played football on Thursday and got back late.  It was practice for the tournament on Saturday, which his team won!

Friday night, we went to our friends house for a Christmassy gathering.  It was great company, and great food (homemade mince pies, leek and chicken pies, teriyaki chicken lettuce parcels, chocolate dipped strawberries, and plenty of fizz - our friend is an excellent cook). It all got a bit out of hand - people need to let their hair down a bit more at the end of term.  We had very sensible adults downing wine and whiskey, then being knighted for being so cool, with a children's plastic cricket stump!  It was great fun though, and just what we needed.

On Saturday, I had the day to myself. Matt had his football tournament, then went out to the '12 pubs of Puxi' pub crawl in the evening. I opted for a quiet day/night in with the cats and watching films.  It was just what I needed, and I feel so refreshed today.  Below are some excellent cat sleep spot photos!

Today, we are having another lazy day.  The pollution is bad today, so not leaving the house is a good idea.  I did pop out for an hour to a shop with a friend.  On the way we saw a dog on it's own limping.  It had a collar, so had probably been hurt by a bike and run away.  We spent ages trying to catch him, but he was just too frightened and was growling and snarling.  Eventually we had to give up, but we have put photos out of him, so hopefully his owner will find him!

Now for pizza and a movie in my new unicorn onesie!