Christmas visit

Claire and Peti arrived yesterday to stay for a couple of nights.  So today we headed off to the swimming pool for some group fun.  Actually, I wimped out as I have been struggling with a cold for a few days so I read my (new) Kindle on the side while everyone else swam.  Apart from the joy of spending time with Claire the other major bonus of having them here is Steve and I have to sleep in the lounge so we get to lie by the embers of the fire.  It's the warmest I've been at night this winter!

Round 2

Thankfully, because we had travelled back from Biddulph late last night the kids were not up too early.  We gathered them into our room just after 7 to open a few small stocking presents.  But not before they saw the huge pile of presents waiting in the lounge! (And we hadn't even added ours then.)  As they had received presents yesterday they were happy to play with those before it was time for Church.
After church Ali, Emma and I got lunch ready and we sat down to a feast. We decided to put dessert out but to let people serve themselves when they felt like it and we watched the queen (haven't done that for a few years!!).
Then it was time to open presents : )
We feel like we appreciate this time with our families so much more this year having not had this privilege for a long time.  The kids, especially, are so much more aware of what they are missing  by not being around family in the Philippines.  But we do have really cool people in the Philippines who have become "our people" too.

Taylor Christmas

We had a lovely, relaxing day and went to the Church family service at 4.  This is similar to what we do in Manila so it felt natural.  It was extremely busy with lots of families attending and the leader mentioned how it was probably similar to the stable - busy and noisy.  I think he had a point.  It was encouraging to see so many non-Church people coming out to celebrate Christmas.
After Church we went home and opened presents before eating dinner and heading back home. 
It is really wonderful to be with family this Christmas.

Special Moments

We had a special day today with our Taylor family.  First, we went as a family group to honour Steve's dad by laying a wreath at his gravestone.  The 23rd Dec was his birthday and it is family tradition to visit the gravestone.  It was special to be part of this tradition for the first time and the kids were pleased to be a part of it.

Afterwards, we headed to the Emma Bridgwater pottery shop to design and paint our own pottery.  It was a lot of fun and each person produced their own unique product.

Oh yes we did!

This afternoon we took the kids to the Peter Pan pantomime in Malvern.  It was a lot of fun.  Naomi wasn't too sure when Capt. Hook came out (the actor was very good) as she found him scary so she spent most of her time on my lap.  When the pirates brought water pistols out to squirt the audience she jumped off my lap and hid behind the seats in front so she wouldn't get wet!  The children did get to experience a panto mime at school last week so they had a pretty good idea of what to do and how to react. I love this very British Christmas institution and was glad to share it with R, J and N.

Pampered

A couple of weeks ago we girls decided we needed a "girls' night" so we booked a pamper evening.  Mum, Ali, Emma and I had a great evening with Bailey's Hot Chocolate, watching 'It's a Wonderful Life', having massages and nails done.

Carol Service

Here are a few of the things I have loved so far about British Christmas culture:
1. We have sung 'Once in Royal David's City' several times.
2. All the carols have had familiar tunes.
3. Despite celebrating Christmas in the tropics for 10 years, it feels "right" to have Christmas in cold, bitter weather (although I am not sure I can honestly say I love this).
4. Pantomime!  Our kids watched one at school on Friday, we watched the CBeebies one Saturday with Granny and Grandpa and we are going to one at the theatre on Weds.  I love that we accept men in drag as normal in pantomime in this culture.
5. Planning with family for presents and Christmas dinners.