Visiting Father Christmas

We have been pretty busy with visits recently.  Next in line was Auntie Jude who came on Wednesday to deliver Christmas presents and see Tom.  Unfortunately we didn't take any photos - sorry.

Tom the Caver

We had a quiet Saturday this weekend.  Matt went to Leeds to meet up with some translators, Tom and I had a useful morning and then Caroline called to see if we wanted to go round for the afternoon as Fred had asked if Tom was free for a play.  We did so.  The original plan was for me to drop Tom off, but Fred has a dog and Tom was initially scared of her (she's the loveliest doggy - completely soft).  By the time Tom was friends with the dog, it didn't really seem right to leave him there, so I stayed and played with them.  Fred and his younger brother Frank are very sweet children, so it really wasn't a chore to stay there with them.  All I would have done at home was tidy, wrap presents etc - nothing very interesting anyway.

Listening? to the elves

In the end Tom stayed there for tea and then we went to collect Daddy from the train station.  He had actually gone shopping after his meet up, and bought some great goodies for Tom (wonders will never cease!)



Sunday was a different matter - a very exciting day.  We had been invited to go and visit Santa at his grotto in Ingleborough Cave.  It was an early start, meeting up in Clapham at 9.15, but it was a good call.  The cave is a mile's walk through a nature trail and as we were a group of 20 plus, it wasn't going to be a short stroll.

The loony at the back

The early start worked and we got to the cave first.  It was only a short wait until the cave opened and we were let through.  They had done a good job on it, it was decorated with lots of Christmas decorations, candles etc.  Elves met us and told us stories of naughty goblins, and how Father Christmas has forgotten to turn the shower off (hence the waterfalls) etc etc.  All well done.

At the end we found Father Christmas in his throne.  He took his time to talk to each child.  Unfortunately Tom fluffed his important line.  When asked what he wanted for Christmas, he held up his hand and said '5'.  Not sure what that was about and Father Christmas wasn't either?!  Oh well, he then went to a toy stall and got to choose his present (he chose the biggest one - a bright red tractor).  There was enough time for a photo with Father Christmas - he got a chance to say again what he wanted and got it right this time 'An Eddie' (as in Eddie Stobart - he has been going on and on about having an Eddie Stobart Truck for quite a while)

Tom & Father Christmas

We walked back past the crowds of people behind us and outside and strolled down the nature trail back to the cars.  We then all headed to Caroline's for sausage sandwiches and a play.  Tom having been there the day before was immediately at home and played quite nicely with everyone - even the dog didn't seem to bother him which was fab.

We came home tired so once again we all had a nap and then an evening of Christmas card writing - slightly excruciating getting Tom to write 22 Christmas cards to his classmates but we got there in the end!

Then to bed - a big day tomorrow...