Yay! Last morning of work - to be followed by three (three! THREE!) blissful weeks of holiday. The Christmas shopping is not quite finished. Still got to get something for my parents. And one of the two matching stocking-stuffers I bought (quite awful mini-doll-with-pets thing which, frighteningly, the kids will love) is defective. (Its button-operated light-up crown does not light up. Very bad, considering its sister's crown does light up.)

Last night was the first night in about two years that Peter and I have had no kids in the house. We've had a tradition for the last couple of years that the girls spend a night with their grandparents in each school holiday. Last night, for the first time, Daniel stayed overnight too. (He's been weaned for about 6 weeks now.) I was quite worried how it would go, but he gets sad when the girls go off to do things without him, plus I had to work this morning, and Angie started her Christmas leave today. So I phoned this morning to see how it went.

Me: So how is everyone?
Mum: Oh we're having a wonderful time.
Me: So you weren't up half the night then?
Mum: Oh we were, yes (chortles merrily).

Apparently all the kids either pretty much put themselves to bed quite early, or went off to bed happily when asked (my parents are into extreme grandparenting, and the kids are totally exhausted by the end of the day). I suggested Daniel just sleep in their bed, if they didn't mind, as that's what he's used to at home and that was most likely to keep him happy. He woke up a bit when they went to bed, and after a drink of milk and a cuddle went back to sleep. Then at 1.30 Robyn woke up (she usually sleeps the sleep of the dead but Christmas excitement is getting to her), upset because Lauren has disappeared. Actually, she hadn't, but had skillfully concealed herself in the blankets. Then as they were settling Robyn down, Lauren woke up and couldn't find her new stickers. She she got into my folks bed, next to Daniel. My mum felt sorry for Robyn all on her own, so suggested to Robyn (who was still awake) that she come to their bed too. My poor dad was probably almost on the floor by this time. My mum had the best deal, however, as she then snuck off to sleep in Robyn's bed.

Anyway, everyone seemed very happy when I phoned this morning.

And after I leave here, I'll dash off to brave the crowds one last time, and then pick up a few groceries for Christmas (it's at our house this year) and then go and fetch the kids. Tomorrow the kids want to buy and wrap a few small gifts for people themselves, and then in the early evening we will probably go to Carols around the Crib at our church, and then do some Christmas-Eve-type things around the Christmas tree.

Last night was also cool in that our old friends from the UK were at our house for supper. They are here for a few more days. We are godparents to their daughter, who's almost exactly the same age as Daniel. She's awfully sweet, and a whole lot less rough on our Christmas tree than the Danmobile.