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There has been a distinct lack of writing on the Lilypad blog lately, mainly due to taking a Christmas break but also due to a small problem with my hand that has made any kind of writing at all pretty difficult. The doctor has told me to rest (like that is ever going to happen) so this weeks Wednesday wishlist is brought to you by my eldest daughter.

I asked her to write a wishlist, not for material things but for the things that would make her happy today.

Here it is ....

My wishlist for this week is to get my hand functioning normally.

What's on yours ..... ?

 

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For the past two years I have not made any New Years Resolutions. This is partly due to the fact that I break them but mainly as I prefer to reflect on the past years achievements rather than set, sometimes unrealistic, goals for the next 12 months. (such as the ridiculous idea of giving up chocolate!!)

Last year I started the post with my favourite quote of the year, so here is my favourite of 2013 : "If you expect the world to be fair with you because you are fair, you're fooling yourself. That's like expecting the lion not to eat you because you didn't eat him"

So here are my Reverse Resolutions for 2013.

1. I have forced encouraged my girls to continue with their swimming lessons this year. This may not sound like a spectacular achievement but trust me, on a Monday evening when a certain 8 year old does not want to go swimming and a 2 year old wants to get in the water instead, this is a particularly amazing achievement. Or when said 2 year old decides she no longer wants to go under the water, perserverance has definately paid off ...... and the daily bath time soaking session is testament to this. Although I have to give a nod to Water Babies for their amazing encouragement every step of the way.

2. Helping my youngest daughter make the transition into nursery. This was always going to be emotional. She has always been at home with me, daddy, nanny or her god parents, so taking her into a new enviroment was as much difficult journey for me as for her. My baby is growing up, I had to allow her to do it.

3. I stepped out from behind my laptop and went to three blogging conferences this year. So many people think I am a confident person but its all a facade and going and introducing myself to new people is totally out of my comfort zone but I did it, three times and guess what? I had a blast and met some amazing people.

4. I write a reflection of the last 12 months on my blog without actually mentioning the blog. The Lilypad blog and social media presence continues to provide fantastic opportunities, great collaborations and the chance to meet truly inspirational people. How can I not be proud of that?

5. Getting Engaged! Now I accept that this would not necessarily count as an achievement but it is so darn exciting that I had to include it and if I have one goal for 2014, it is planning an awesome and very personal wedding!

So going back to my favourite quote of the year, my mum always taught me to "play fair", so am just kind of hoping there are no lions out to eat me in 2014 as I am really looking forward to what it brings!

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... a beautiful guest post from Jacinta 3.

 

Christmas is all about giving

And sharing the little you’ve got,

And seeing the smile on a saddened face

When you give to one who has not.

 

Christmas is about forgiving

The people who caused us harm;

It’s the peace you feel deep within

And keeps you feeling calm.

 

Christmas is being with family

Who love you in all you do.

And being sorry for all the hurt

You’ve caused the whole year through.

 

Christmas is helping your elders,

And visiting the sick.

Giving up some time of your own

To spend with a friend you didn’t pick.

 

Christmas is all about loving

And showing how much you care,

It’s telling someone you’re there for them

And that they are beyond compare.

 

Christmas is not about presents

Or finding the tallest tree;

It’s a time for mending our ways

And being the best we can be.

 

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We're on the last stretch to the big day and chances are you're stressed out so I'm going to show you a couple of things I use to keep the kids amused and some fool proof tips to make sure you get to Christmas Day in one piece, looking your best and feeling like you own the world - it can be done just let me talk.

 

Keeping the kids amused

Ok, they are massively excited which is a good thing but they're bouncing off the walls and driving you nuts and school's only been shut one day. Even if you're not a huge craft enthusiast this worked for me.

Christmas bunting

Take out all of last years Christmas cards, if you don't have any then find some different coloured paper and cut out letters from each card. If you don't want letters use a template for a snowman, Christmas tree or stars.

 

I chose 'Tis the season to be jolly" and with a piece of string, ribbon or wool tied from one wall to another you attach the letters and string them along a wall. Use the Christmas bunting to decorate your main room or the kids rooms. I had some miniature pegs but you could use a staple gun, paper clips or sticky tape to attache them to the cord.

Christmas Fruit Tree

It's December 24th and the day is really dragging out, the kids are under your feet and you need to keep them occupied THIS is your baby,   a Christmas Fruit Tree which they will then eat for tea and won't cause a sugar rush.

The base is an apple and a carrot and you will need lots of toothpicks or kebab sticks and then let them pin the fruit into the apple and carrot to form a tree like shape, longer sticks at the bottom and smaller at the top. I used melon (and used a cookie cutter for the stars) strawberries, grapes and blueberries to fill the gaps. It took a long time but if you put on some Christmas music and let them loose they'll be fine PLUS they provided for the occasion

 

 

 

Christmas biscuits

Another great amusement for the kids is to prepare some Christmas biscuits, for this all you need is the basic biscuit ingredients and some sprinkles and writing icing to decorate. The dough takes minutes to prepare and they can roll and use cutters. The biscuits are cooked in minutes and cooled as quickly and then let them loose on the decorating after all they'll be the ones eating them right?

My very last tip is something I started last year and I'm so pleased I found it I'm repeating it this year

Let your imagination run wild. Your Christmas Eve parcel can contain letters from Santa with instructions and warnings or just a nice note to say he's thinking of your child. Use what's best for your situation. I always add new pyjamas, a family DVD with popcorn, and reindeer food plus other bits and pieces. I will put the parcels under the tree whilst the children are upstairs or out. The excitement of finding a parcel BEFORE Christmas under the tree is really quite something to behold, it works and helps set the way for a very enjoyable Christmas day.

Wishing you all a very happy Christmas and thanking Donna for allowing me to have some space on her fabulous blog