Ahem. Well yes. Sorry 'bout that.

The party was a success, but I think that we will not have one so big next time. Also the new room was not as comfortable or festive as it should have been, and felt wrong in some indefinable way and so people hung out in the kitchen or elsewhere. I relaxed on the host front after the party had thinned out a little (around 10, I suppose) and started drinking whiskey. This morning when Paddy woke me (at his customary hour -- it never seems to matter when he goes to bed, he still gets up at the same time) I had a complete mother fucker of a headache. Sally took pity on me and got up and I arose to a very clean house some hours later.

I then went with the two children into the sprawling metropolis of Arklow to make some last minute purchases. This involved a slow crawl down main street and a slow crawl back up again. I then left Anna watching over a snoozing Paddy while I made some hurried choices. My goal of the year of perfect presents will have to wait until next year I fear.

Later on we had some tree wrestling. Having decided to abandon the new room for the duration of the holiday season, we moved the tree from that room (with decorations still on it) into the room which was still waiting for a tree. We only lost one glass ball, which exploded with a satisfying pop. Then Sally and Anna went out to a birthday party and I stayed home with Paddy, wrapping presents.

He loves unwrapping stuff. He brought over a bit of the tree I had taken off and asked me to wrap it. I did and he then put it under the tree. After about five minutes he asked if he could open it and I said yes. He then did the whole gosh, wow! bit and thanked me profusely. After a few minutes more the process was repeated. Five times.

Then he put out every carrot in the house for the reindeer. I suggested two, but he insisted that Santa has loads of reindeer, so we needed more. And more. He kept going back until all the carrots were out. Then a couple of stories and bed. There was a long monologue about the tractors Santa was going to leave him and I hope he's not too disappointed.

So, after I post this, I have to wrap Paddy's major present and do the Santa thing and watch some christmas TV, and there's some mulled wine for those amongst us who haven't learned our lesson.

Have a lovely day tomorrow everyone.