Christmas with the Square Peg and December round up!
Firstly, I haven’t posted as much as I would have liked to this month. The school term from September to December is arguably the toughest one for teachers and kids alike. I have been struggling with Laryngitis since October, unable to speak which makes teaching secondary school children very hard. However, both of my boys have been fine and full of energy.
South West Cyclocross
Matthew (the Square Peg’s older brother) has been busy with the Cyclocross season and been travelling all over the South West, from deepest darkest Cornwall all the way up to Minehead. He has won every single race so far and is in first position in the Under 10’s league. Myself and Edward have not been going with them, we have stayed at home and cooked a roast dinner for when they return.
Since December 1st the Square Peg has been really excited about Christmas. Everyday, he would wake up and ask ‘Is it Christmas Day yet?’ It always a bit of a funny time for autistic children, they can struggle with the lack of routine and become overwhelmed with all the excitement. Edward loved it but still couldn’t open all of his presents in one go and had to have an afternoon snooze.
Mulled Wine and Mince Pies
On the Monday before Christmas we met our friends on Wembury beach for Mulled wine and Mince pies. The waves were absolutely huge and the hardcore south west surfers were out in force.
I made sure that I had brought a towel and a complete change of clothes for both boys, which is just as well because we needed to use everything…
Literally, the first thing Matthew and his friend did was to jump straight into the sea. They were soaked through to the pants after five minutes of us arriving at the beach. Edward, on the other hand was more than happy lobbing big rocks into the stream. He did eventually venture into the sea and was caught by surprise when a wave went over the top of his wellies but he was alright about it and couldn’t wait for it to happen again.
Mulled wine and mince pies was had by all (except for the kids). A quick photo taking session, then we decided to make a move as the tide was coming in.
Christmas Eve
In a previous post, I had written about what to put in a Christmas Eve bag for children with autism. Read all about it HERE. Whilst I didn’t actually get round to putting everything that I suggested in, I did buy a lovely bath bomb from Rebel n Rose. Both boys loved watching it fizz away and turn the water purple.
On Christmas Eve I had a vision that we would all wear matching Christmas pyjamas, snuggle up and all watch a Christmas film…..well, firstly Daddy would not agree to wear matching pyjamas….secondly Edward would not pose for a picture….
Christmas Day
Fast forward to Christmas Day. Both boys were up at 6.30 and brought their stockings into our room where they sat on the bed and opened the presents.
Christmas Day Breakfast
For Christmas Day breakfast, I made Panettone bread and butter pudding and it was amazing. It tasted just like Christmas. See the recipe I used here. I prepared it on Christmas Eve then just popped it in the over for 40 minutes on Christmas morning.
Edward wouldn’t go anywhere near it and just had Weetabix…
For Christmas dinner, I couldn’t be bothered to make a starter so we just had a fabulous roast turkey dinner. Edward had beans and mash.
So we’ve had a lovely end to a challenging year. Can’t wait to see what the new decade brings for our little Square Peg.
Happy New Year to all Mummy of a Square Peg followers.
What a lovely write up and memories, well done for the breakfast on christmas day. Looks like the beach was fun and I have to do that too with towel and clothes. #stayclassymama
I’ve learnt from previous experience to always bring spare clothes if taking the kids near water, when they’ve had to travel home in just their pants! They can’t help themselves but to get soaking wet!
Lovely round-up and great to hear about your festive fun. All families have to do it their own way with the particular joys and challenges they have. Anything else is madness or merely done to show off on social media. Let’s face it if lives were perfect would any of us be on social media anyway? You seem to have a lovely family and I do love a good time at the seaside. Mine are all in their older teens now and I miss such days which don’t happen at all much these days. It is Kate on Thin Ice by the way #StayClassyMama
Thank you! Although they exhaust me, they bring a lot of joy and I know that one day they won’t want to spend time with me. So I make sure we have as much fun as possible. Xx
Well Done to Matthew for his amazing Cyclocross wins! That’s brilliant.
Also, I love the idea of having bread and butter pudding for breakfast! #StayClassyMama
Thank you! I just looked on Pinterest for Christmas Day breakfast ideas and I saw it and thought that will be amazing!
I do love your elf look for Christmas. I can’t persuade mine to dress up or do matchy matchy. Looks like you had a lovely Christmas time. I bet that sea was cold, but my kids would be in there too! I am a bit late to #stayclassymama so this is catching up from the first week.
Thank you! I couldn’t persuade Daddy to do matchy matchy so I had to settle for just the boys. All kids seem drawn to the sea whatever the weather.