Christmas 2016
Haddington & other adventures
We're well into the afternoon and it's full on party time, although Jessica seems more interested in playing with the TV remote as Louise looks on, taking full part in the Christmas spirit
As the dancing fizzled out, the most junior of the juniors made their own entertainment, with Granddad Graham a willing participant.
Before long, it was time for the Rowllings to go home. Well, it was after 7pm and that's about as late as you want to stay with little ones, even on Christmas Day. Gregory was straight in for a wrestling hold, or hug. Whilst it does not look like Becky is fully complicit, she did partake in a hug at one point; I just didn't capture it.
There was no more notable Christmas Day action as, frankly, we were all far too tired (partly due to having a day with four young children and partly, for some of us, due to cold-affected sleep patterns. However, on Boxing Day morning, we actually had some snow...
...although it didn't last and by mid-afternoon was later replaced by rain. Sometimes, as has been established on Gregory's pages, it's necessary to given them some fresh air rather than be cooped up all day. He's happy to put his hood up these days so he can keep reasonably dry and potter around happily in the puddles.
Eventually it did stop raining and so we could get our damp locks out.
The following morning, as I put a nappy by the backdoor, I heard a right racket outside. A quick inspection showed a swirl of birds in the sky (a mumuration of starlings, perhaps).
I shuffled out for a jog and returned to cook an expansive brunch for everyone...
...before we headed towards Edinburgh (to Musselborough?) to catch a screening of Aladdin. There was some out-loud wondering as to why I was here, but I hadn't been aware there was an alternative. So here I was!
On the back row, Gregory, Avis, Lynne and (not pictured) me. It clearly wasn't that warm in here since we're all wearing coats.
On the front row, Louise, Becky, Daisy and (not pictured) Graham.
After a fairly lively pantomime, we headed over to the Rowllings' house for a buffet, where birthday boy Graham opened his presents.
Lynne has pointed out the mirror image nature of the sisters' poses in this and the previous photos. Also featured is one of Gregory's repeated raids for the savoury snacks (read: crisps).
Becky and Jessica have a great set-up in the play room, with a TV plus small chairs and table. Unfortunately, there are not enough chairs to incorporate Gregory.
However, all is not lost as Avis consoles him: "Don't worry Gregory, I'll be your friend."
It's showtime! This =featured a significant amount of singing and dancing, of which Daisy was of course the ringleader.
But then we remembered why we were all here. Well, some of the reason. Yes, its Granddad Graham's birthday. It's not clear whether he got a look in when it came to blowing out his candles. Probably not, but then he'll have blown out a few in his lifetime so perhaps won't have missed these.
After all the excitement, it was time for some chilling out, as the older girls lounged on the sofa. And then we were gone, that evening back to Haddington and, the next morning, back down to Heaton Chapel...
...which meant it was time for the other side of the family. Having arrived back home on the Wednesday, this was the Thursday (or the 29th for those vaguely trying to keep track). There then followed, of course, the usual dizzying blur of present opening as the lounge became predominantly filled with wrapping paper. In this case, Nana Sue and Nic looked on...
...and then it was Lynne, in a fancy dress. You can already see some of the presents that they had opened, the lucky puppies.
Of course, I don't let a family get-together go by without catering like crazy. Given the relative lack of time to prepare (having only got home the day before), I had done a mixture of bought items and homemade dishes. For those interested, I bought pizza, quiche and other nibbles and cooked risotto, potato wedges, halloumi and, I think, meatballs.
Soon everyone was tucking in, much to the cook's delight. There was of course plenty, and we were feasting on leftovers for quite some time. The risotto was converted into ball shapes (arancini) and created at least another couple of meals, for example.
Daisy was very happy with her new doll and so it (her?) accompanied at mealtime as the other girls tucked in (to the food and the champagne, as appropriate).
There followed a game of what can Aunty Katie balance on Gregory's head, whilst Nana Sue gestured to Uncle Graham in an aggressive manner.
There was much amusement when an item finally fell off his remarkably stable blond bonce.
There was later success with a small truck, whilst Uncle Graham was clearly telling Nana Sue to take a hike.
Next up, the hair salon, with Daisy plaiting Katie's hair. Meanwhile, Uncle Graham appears to have gotten rid of Nana Sue, his primary aim.
In fact, the exiting of Nana Sue had left both Uncle Graham and Jonathan in deeply thoughtful poses. If Graham's thought process is anything to go by, I can only assume it was about whether to go back for thirds. But I may be wrong.
Mark and Helen, who had actually been properly working in Leeds (as much as that is possible, or indeed believable, between Christmas and New Year when there is no-one around and the phone doesn't ring) and then driven over the Pennines to demonstrate their commitment and keenness for homemade risotto, arrived in the early evening. After heartily ingesting hastily-heated carbohydrates (other food groups were available), Mark was straight into the action with Daisy.
Jordan, meanwhile, favoured the big settee, Gregory and the TV.
Here is the scene at 7pm. The most important thing to note about this is that the cheeseboard, a requisite for Allen/Barlow family dos, is now out. The Branston pickle takes centre stage.
It was all too much for young Gregory, who lay his tired head down on a cushion, tended to by nurse Jordan.
Daisy's recent enthusiasm for Mario Kart extended to the adults, as Mark, Katie, Jordan and I played a four-way, three-race 150cc Grand Prix before Mark and Helen had to drive back over to Leeds. After two keenly-contested, closely-fought races, a topsy-turvy finale saw Mark take the spoils as Katie and I, who were first and second at one point, dropped rapidly down the rankings on the last lap (that's 150cc for you - Mark had similarly dropped down and bounced back from 11th or so, but timed his recovery well). My falling off the track three times did not help (thanks Jordan). Mark took the fresh glow of satisfaction for the drive home.
The next day, we had a nice surprise: an impromptu visit from Nicky, Calum, Matty and Eddie. It happened to be lunchtime and so it was rude not to bring out leftovers from the previous day, including a number of items which I had forgotten to open. As a result, they got a pretty good spread. Here we see Daisy, Eddie and Gregory (for some reason wearing just a vest - perhaps he was hot).
There's quite a lot happening here. Having completed his building site jigsaw, Gregory decided to stand on it, for some reason. Nicky chats to Lynne, who is pointing at Daisy, whilst Eddie looks on. In the background, Matty and Calum wrestle. And I just took a photo.
And that's it; Christmas was over and it was time to look forward to the next year. But what a place to leave it, eh?
Back to the Secret Portal.