This year I think was the most excited I have seen my children with the thought of Father Christmas visiting our house on Christmas Eve, I had a day without the children as Andy took them with him for the day dropping presents off on doorsteps etc. I managed to do 6 hours of wrapping and finally felt ready for Christmas.

We have now been put into Tier 4 in Buckinghamshire so no-one is allowed to mix over Christmas and nothing has changed for us due to me being careful. I was really looking forward to spending our first Christmas as just us 5. We have always spent Christmas with Family every year, so this was different.

I had started to feel like I had more energy a few days before Christmas and was feeling relieved that I may be able to have a good day with Andy and the kiddies on Christmas Day. Christmas Eve came round and we all got involved tidying the house ready for the big mans visit that evening. In the early evening we all sat down for dinner and then all snuggled up on the sofa with the fire roaring watching a movie. It was just perfect!

The kids were bursting with excitement as they went to bed it was so magical to see, I wish I was a kid again!

Christmas morning our day started at 5am…Kids bursting into our bedroom screaming that Father Christmas had been. Now on a normal day if one if my children tried to wake me up at 5am other than if they were poorly, I would make them go back to bed. Not this morning, they opened their stockings on our bed and then we headed downstairs where more presents had appeared under the tree and the evidence that the big man had been was examined. It was amazing seeing their reactions to the gifts they received and it made me so happy. When all presents had been opened, I went upstairs to get ready. I straightened my hair, put makeup on for the first time in two months and put some normal clothes on. I felt great!

I had a wonderful day watching the kiddies play and also played some games with them, then suddenly at about 3pm I just came over so tired that I went and put my PJ’s back on and got on the sofa, the kiddies were still with me so I could watch them enjoying playing. I had my Christmas dinner in my PJ’s, but do you know what I felt no pressure as it was just my little family of 5 and they are so supportive and amazing.

I want to say that Christmas day was brilliant, even if it meant I only managed until 3pm dressed and feeling ok. It is a massive positive as the week before I would not of even be able to do that!

Keep smiling!