Epic Fail.....

I took the kids to the shops today....a place I was desperate to avoid....but by about 4.00pm I gave into the pressure and off we went.

Every year after Christmas we have a trip to the shops to (a) return the unwanted things, (b) exchange for the correct sized things or  (c) spend the gift vouchers received...today we chose options (b) and (c).

I had bought Master 15 a pair of shorts like these....

...he is on that cusp between boys and men's clothes.

So I bought them in the smallest men's size I could find.

Turns out he isn't quite as small as I thought he was...they were a little snug.  I suggested that we exchange them for a bigger size....and he agreed.

So the first stop today was to exchange the shorts.  I suggested that he go in and try on the next size up to make sure that they were in fact a better fit......he agreed!  I would remain outside the store with the original pair until he was sure he wanted to make the exchange....he agreed! Once he was certain...I would come in and we would take the original shorts to the counter and request the exchange....he agreed!

From my vantage point outside the shop I watched him go and find the shorts....I watched him head off to the back where the change rooms are located....I watched him disappear into said change room.  Then I waited.  The store was full of eager shoppers taking advantage of the sales...they were blocking my view and I didn't see Master 15 emerge.  I was scanning the shop waiting for him when I realised he was up at the counter talking to the sales guy.

"Wonder what he's doing" I thought to myself...then out he wandered with a new bag....with the new pair of shorts within.

Turns out Master 15's take on the word exchange left a lot to be desired....for reasons known only to him...and perhaps not even him....he had somehow bought a new pair so that I could then return the other pair for a refund!  Not only that, but he had used his Christmas Gift Voucher to buy them!

Now apparently they don't do refunds...only exchanges!  So it took me a little sweet talking...a bit of eye rolling..."You know how it is...teenage boys just don't listen"...even though the sales guy had no doubt been a teenage boy himself very recently...perhaps that is why he understood...and the money was kindly refunded.

Master 15 was so embarrassed he decided to forgo the other purchases he had been hoping to make and made a quick getaway instead!

Boxing Day Delights.....

As if we haven't already eaten WAY too much....we decided to have our own little Christmas lunch on Boxing Day.

We had a ham to use....and I'm never one to pass up the opportunity for a glazed, baked one.

Boxing Day is otherwise traditionally a day for lazing around, patting our bloated bellies and reminiscing on the year that was....if you're very lucky you might also get a foot massage....

Christmas Day Hangover

Well Christmas Day has come and gone,

It never seems to stay for long.

We build it up with anticipation,

And expect the day to be pure elation.

So we cook and clean and spend our money,

If we weren't all broke it'd be quite funny.

We share our gifts and ooh and aah,

We eat and drink too much by far.

Full of pudding, turkey, ham and beer,

We smile and say "It's only once a year".

But the extra kilos and jiggly thighs,

Are sure to stay for quite a while!

By Me

And so this is Christmas......

As planned Santa did not come to our house last night!

We did however give into Master 12's pleading and leave out one present which he could open first thing in the morning....as soon as he woke up......without waiting for the rest of us to get up.

This seemed to satisfy him....and by the time I got up it.....a joystick for his laptop.....was being put to good use!

Master 15 had made a most unusual present request....he wanted a horses head!

I aim to please....so that is precisely what he got......

....he took it out for a canter......

...and throughout the day it just kept turning up in the most unexpected places......

I hope everyone had a galloping good time today :)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas......

All signs point to the fact that it really is Christmas!!

Last night we went for a drive to check out the local Christmas lights.

We didn't see anything quite like this.....

.....but Buster certainly seemed to enjoy them.....

Tonight, we had friends over for a few beverages to celebrate the season.

It all started out civilised enough......

Then one guest got a little messy.....

Before it really got out of hand.....

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!!

Slaving on Sunday.......

Yesterday we spent a very enjoyable afternoon at my Brother's house for early Christmas.

Today there was no more time for slacking off....we had much to do!

Firstly we went to the supermarket and spent $499.68 on groceries....yes people....$499.68 on groceries....and we are not even having Christmas at our place.  As if that wasn't enough we then spent $173.00 on alcohol! If my kids say there's nothing to eat....even once......I'm going to flip my lid!

We decided to buy half a leg of ham...not because we really needed it......but because it's just not Christmas if you're not eating ham until half way through January!

Then we decided we couldn't put off cleaning up the backyard for one more day!  Hubby gave me the job of pulling out the weeds that love to grow between the pavers....

.....we have a LOT of pavers.....

This was me....very unimpressed......about a third of the way through the job....cursing Hubby....

....did I mention it was HOT today!

We did the lawns, we removed all the cobwebs....though of course they will be back tomorrow, we cut back the overgrown plants.......

Hubby even vacuumed, we washed the outdoor furniture, we did the weeding......and finally we finished....

We saw a pod of pelicans....that's what they're called.....really.....

Then we finally sat down....

Tomorrow it's all about the inside......I can hardly wait!!!!

An oldie....but a goodie.....

I found this one on the iPad and just had to share.....

Makes me laugh every time!!

Watch out Martha and Nigella......

My extended family is gathering for our Christmas Celebrations tomorrow afternoon.....this year we are having an untraditional afternoon tea.

There was a bit of a false start when I thought I wouldn't be able to attend...see here....but due to Master 15 managing to secure a shift change we are now able to go....albeit a little late.

Of course that means I have to come up with a "plate".....and as afternoon tea isn't the usual Christmas scenario....I can't very well take half a pig!

I racked my brains....and finally decided on Hummingbird Cake...any cake with pineapple in it must be summery.....right?? Then to add a touch of Christmas...I decided on an old favourite in this household...Gingerbread Men!

I have a recipe that I have used many, many times......

.....it's foolproof.....just shove in the ingredients.....

.....mix them up....roll them out.....

....cut them out.....

....put them on the tray and into the oven.....

....wait around 12 minutes and then take them out, when they are all golden brown and smelling delicious......

Once I had finished....and washed everything up....and finally sat down with a nice cold Pepsi Max....thats when I realised that I used the wrong flour!!!

Did I say foolproof?

Nigella I ain't!