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The Oliver's Madhouse

When life isn't complicated enough ..

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04/01/2017

Our Family Christmas 2016

This Christmas with coughs, colds and sneezing in abundance we scaled down any Christmas plans in favour of a quiet and well planned version. 

Until early December we were hopeful that I would have had my operation but with a limited amount of slots available  I was given a date in February to undergo the much awaited for operation. With all that in mind we had prepared, wrapped and sorted Christmas other than the food shopping weeks and weeks ago. 

It was so nice to be a little bit more laid back about Christmas on a whole and if I am honest I need to make sure we have many more well planned festive seasons if I can get my way. 

We loved Joshua’s nativity play and his love of creating new tree ornaments at school and bringing them home every day and by the time they broke up he was bouncing off the walls in excitement. It was also lovely to see Jacobs face visiting Santa for the first time too!

Our Family Christmas 2016 The Oliver\\\'s Madhouse
Christmas Eve saw our elf on the shelf head home  but he left behind a Christmas Eve box for us all with PJ’s, Chocolate and a family DVD along with a Teddy for Jacob to celebrate his first Christmas.

We were also very lucky to have Ollie at home for the day and so we got some jobs done in the morning, had some family time with just the 4 of us and then Ollie’s parents came to see the children before the big day and Joshua was given his Christmas gift as it was too large to hide! … A football table! 

Our Family Christmas 2016 The Oliver\\\'s Madhouse
In the evening Joshua decorated his Christmas Eve cookies for Santa and his elf and then it was early nights all around. 

Christmas morning was a super early one with Jacob waking at 4.30am and coming in to us for a cuddle, followed by Joshua coming in at 5am! Meaning a super early start on the presents! 

Our Family Christmas 2016 The Oliver\\\'s Madhouse
Our Family Christmas 2016 The Oliver\\\'s Madhouse
Jacob was enthralled with the wrapping paper and boxes …. The toys took some warming too! 

Joshua on the other hand was thrilled with his gifts from his remote-controlled Bowser (from Mario Brothers) archery set and his millions of games and his much-loved Mario hat! 

Our Family Christmas 2016 The Oliver\\\'s Madhouse

Our Family Christmas 2016 The Oliver\\\'s Madhouse
After spending some time getting some archery lessons from Grandad and Jacob getting some snuggles we Effie (my mum) it was time for some lunch just the 4 of us. 

Christmas afternoon was all about fat pants, chocolates and family films …. And for me this was a perfect Christmas! 

Our Family Christmas 2016 The Oliver\\\'s Madhouse
No stress, no tears, no mass organising marathons it was laid back, child orientated and quiet. Next year I have no doubt with 2 little ones excited about christmas it will be a lot louder and no doubt chaotic! 

I am so glad I shelved social media and took time out from the camera and just went with it. Life in real life has totally made my Christmas.

Our Family Christmas 2016 The Oliver\\\'s Madhouse
Thank you to each and every one of our friends and family for your gifts, best wishes and company this festive season! 

Filed Under: All Things Christmas

About Jaime

Jaime Oliver is a multi-award-winning parenting and family blogger from Nottingham who has been sharing her parenting journey online at The Oliver’s Madhouse since 2012. Jaime writes about life with her 2 little boys from days out and adventures to milestones and moments there is no parenting or family topic she wouldn’t share to normalise and celebrate the differences in parenting.



When Jaime is not writing about her family she is can be found writing about her journey of self-discovery in learning to cook and fall in love with her home again on her food and interiors blog notTHATJaimeOliver.com

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. RachelSwirl says

    04/01/2017 at 12:47 am

    Haha love the Mario hat, so glad to see you had a good xmas x

    Reply
  2. Karen, the next best thing to mummy says

    04/01/2017 at 6:18 pm

    Christmas is so special and magical, when you have little ones, even having an early start on Christmas morning, is all part of the fun and excitement!

    Reply
  3. Pamela | Life With Munchers says

    04/01/2017 at 9:02 pm

    He’s getting so big! I loved it this year seeing MM that bit more excited. Next year will be epic though. Glad you managed some rest. I totally switched off entirely…bliss xx

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      06/01/2017 at 5:29 pm

      i cant believe he is one in a few weeks … where has the year gone! I am so looking forward to Jacobs face next, like MM he will hopefully understand it all a little more 🙂

      I need to learn to switch off properly over Christmas … i slow it all down but can never leave my phone … *Must try harder*

      Reply

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