Everydaystranger

Christmas dawned. Santa had been by.

The babies joined us (in our messy room, as we’ve been working on the en suite so our room is the “hold all” for all things) for stockings.

They scored.

But the real party was yet to go on.

It’s hard to keep them from popping the microphone in their mouth. And let’s just say that their singing is hilarious and cute, but clearly the “I-Can’t-Sing” gene Alastair and I have has been passed on to them. Nick started off the morning ill and by lunchtime, both babies were rocking a fever. Didn’t stop them from rocking other things though.

They lack rhythm, too, but not for lack of trying.

Both babies like the kitchen set we bought them, although they like the noisy shit more.

We then adjourned to Alastair’s youngest brother’s for a full-on Christmas onslaught with the extended family. We’ve returned home now after spending the night, but it was typical English Christmas fun complete with Christmas crackers and poppers, which my son does not approve of, thank you very much.

And alcohol. Lots and lots of alcohol. Served from giant-sized wine bottles my brother-in-law thought would be conversation pieces.

Instead they simply got emptied by the entire family (apart from the minors, no need to send the blue car round).

We watched Doctor Who, laughed until late, and drank entirely too much.

As far as Christmas goes, this year it was a blinder. I received a number of fabulous gifts from Santa, including a brilliant cookbook, Torchwood and Doctor Who DVDs, and a toaster.

Shut up. I really wanted a toaster. Our three year-old, £7 toaster was reaching end of life.

There was something else, too….

What was it….?

Oh yes. I know.

Alastair has been working on a secret project in the study, where I was barred from entry.

On Christmas Day, I found out what the secret was.

A massive billboard that lights up and proposes. The new Alastair and the new Shannon and the new family that we always wanted to be and finally are.

In daylight, it looks like this:

Taped to the front was a new engagement ring.

This year for Christmas, Santa brought my family back together again.

-S.