What an incredibly exciting week it’s been. I’m a massive fan of Christmas and love the build up to it.

Every year for the past five years we’ve planned exactly when we were going to collect our Christmas tree.

It’s become a family tradition and we always make a proper day of it.

Last year my son was too young to fully appreciate the excitement surrounding Christmas, but when we rocked up at the tree farm in Surrey this year, my son was beside himself.

There were lights twinkling, Christmas songs playing and reindeer munching.

Not only that, but he couldn’t stop staring at the huge inflatable santas which marked the entrance to the farm.

I have to admit though, putting up decorations with a near two-year-old, was a little tricky.

Once the tree was securely up we were on tenterhooks as to whether it would be pulled down by inquisitive hands and bring back memories of me watching National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation as a young girl.

It’s safe to say, it’s still up in one piece!

Also this week, Michael and I had the pleasure of turning on the Christmas tree lights at Kingston Hospital.

Mince pies were handed out, carols were sung by schoolchildren, and Santa was handing out sweets.

Ho! Ho! Ho! However, my boy wasn’t too impressed and Santa made him cry.

It was all a bit overwhelming but he soon embraced the atmosphere once he had a gingerbread man in his clutches.

Among the hustle and bustle, my baby girl simply slept in her pram.

So Christmas has started off with a bang and it’s the first time in two years I haven’t been pregnant at this time of year.

So here’s to stilton, pate and mulled wine!

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