Christmas Eve was the usual high fevered excitement. But quiet and anticipation reigned when I read the usual 'Night before Christmas'. It didn't seem time for a DVD or anything like that, so we played Cluedo, it was the one night in the year when they all were desperate to go to bed early. Super early. I had to stop Felix going to get his PJ's on at 4pm. He managed to wait until about 6. Lucky it's dark here so early (ha, that will be the only one time in the year that I ever say that too).
Esmé woke at 5am. We were all up so so early. It was hours before it was even daylight. They hacked away into the chocolate brioche and ate ALL of their stocking chocolate before 8am. Wow.
Felix's joy was unbound when he saw his gift this year; a Syrian hamster. 'Neville', 9 weeks old. Only Neville seemed a little shaky on his stalky little legs. By evening he was dead. Bloody hell. It might have been the cold weather in the North Pole or something...... I don't think Father Christmas will ever ever be bringing live animals again. So the fun happy day ended in tears. And by the end of the week I will be hamster shopping (again). My mum reminded me that the one I was given when I was 8 lasted but a week. Apparently he was squeezed a bit too hard and his inner body ended up being his outer body. I have no recollection of ever squeezing a hamster (for the record). But there you go, they are fragile creatures. I will pick a hardier breed, is there one? Poor poor Felix though, we had his burial today. And he now joins our gigantic garden pet cemetery. I really wish we had marked more graves, it's awfully anxious, digging new ones.
Esmé loves her new doll, and mini indoor trampoline, I am hoping she can bounce off lots of winter energy.
The hyacinth bloomed this morning, a good omen, after the bad luck of last night.
And I relented. After over ten years TV free we now have one. Apparently it was necessary for the computer-y games thing Isaac finally received. He has hankered for *something* games/computer like for a big while. It has taken me a long time getting my head around audio-visual 'equipment' in the home. They distract me and make me feel weird. I am pretty alone in that tho. Now. So I am getting used to it.
We turned our 'study' (ha! read: dumping room) into a games room, and moved all of my books and shelves into the sitting room instead. So at least it's all in there and there's respite elsewhere. I have hankered for a while for a space that was more adult or something than everywhere else in the house, in which every nook cranny and surface is covered with toys, books and children's bits. It's a decent compromise.
I think when you are with your children constantly, as is the case when you home educate, you end up (after ten years anyway) needing just a little space to be slightly more alone, seeming. Or at least not crammed up all of the time. I don't actually have a room of my own, no, but a space which is a little less chock a block with children's bit and pieces. As the years pass we have moved away from the wood only mantra when it comes to toys, despite being more aesthetically pleasing, because interests change. Christmas, and this time of year's festivities of light, life, birth and renewal is a time to be flexible, not rigid. I feel that more I suppose as the years pass by. A denial of the time in which we live in, is a denial of life almost, a not accepting of the way things are right now for our children, at this moment. So, luckily, Felix had Lego too to console him yesterday. Lego in particular is a staple bit of ever changing furniture in this house. And it's so good for Felix, I see it. It just fuels some imaginative bit of him. In that way maybe that holding a ball of wool does to me. But more so I expect.
Merry Christmas, and welcome to change, to flexibility and and the fluidity needed in family life. Oh and my New Years Resolution? Stop buying animals. Really and truly. It's so simple. Lets see if I can stick to it (after this weeks, erm, purchase that is). Also, chickens don't count. They are birds, and food-giving creatures, so I must exclude them from my 'resolution', or wish. I just read that the French don't make resolutions and I shall ask my French SIL when she visits at New Year if it is so. They think it's barbaric to have this moral contract hanging over oneself. And in poor taste to weigh the self down, right at the beginning of a new year and new beginning! I agree. I shall perhaps make wishes, because if a wish falls by the wayside, so be it. Often they fly away and change in any case. Oui? So grateful to spend anther Christmas with my family. That was my favourite gift this year. Corny but absolutely true. Off now to a pink bath with sparkles and stories about lost stuffed toys, listened to by a small girl, her dogs (toy and real) and a new baby doll....
5 comments:
So sorry to read about poor hammy but at least your Christmas spirit prevailed and all was soothed with the good old Lego!
The trampoline... now why didn't i think of THAT one... I think Esme and Pip share the same energy levels!!
Hope you have a lovely New year with family.
San x
Wow Claire, you sound so much like me. This Christmas, I relented and bought the three older children a DS. I never thought I would do this, was always afraid that they would take the place of something more creative and imaginative in the children's lives. But I gave it a lot of thought and as you say, I've been home educating for a long time now and it's time the older three took a bit of responsibility for their own free time. We've always been a creative family and the resources are all there for them, but if they are fascinated by computer games and the like, well, it's time they explored that too, they are old enough to put value on all these things individually. I hope. It does feel strange though, seeing my children crouched over Nintendo DS machines. My two boys are usually totally focused on Lego, but over Christmas, I asked if the Lego could be kept in the cupboard because here in the caravan, there aint room for Lego AND Christmas tree, decorations etc. So at the moment, there is A LOT of DS activity, but I wonder what will happen when the honeymoon period is over, the tree comes down and the Lego is free to use again. I hope there is a balance. I hope they continue to play outside and play with Lego. But I feel, for me, it's time to let go a bit and let them find this balance themselves and know when they've had enough computer input and when it's time to snap shut the DS and get fresh air for themselves.
Your blog put into words what I've been thinking.
Bad news about the hamster. Guinea pigs are fairly robust and not so squeezy!! Get two of them though as they like a bit of company to snuggle up to. I can remember the pet grave I had when I was little. I use to bury everything from fallen pets to cat-mauled birds there and there was always the slight worry that I would dig up last year's rodent corpse!!!
Sounds like you had a lovely Christmas, here's to a happy and healthy New Year. xxxxxxxxxxxx
You know what, rats are pretty feisty, my eldest got two for his birthday 3 weeks ago and they've already come through a few traumas unscathed. There is the 'eugh' factor I know, but they're so cute and intelligent.
My neighbour suggested crocheting tail covers to lessen the impact of thick and scaley. Not sure Holly and Sophie would approve...
glad you had a good holiday. such a lovely mother daughter photo. sorry about the hampster though, it sounds like you handled that best you could. happy new year claire.
xox
Lovely lovely post, have a very happy new year and hope your wishes come true in one guise or another ;0)
X
Post a Comment