After our holiday in Cheshire and subsequent window smash, we’ve had a pretty good week!

Highlights have included; being with Soph (& Mum & Dad & Granny & Grandpa) at toddler group, stay and play for an hour at nursery, a trip to the cinema, and the toy service today. There was a real sense of joy, and people were so generous in the toys they donated (see above!).

In the service we were presented with Breastfeeding Friendly Status, which was just such a joy – but more about that to come!

Also this week: lots of Christmas prep, drinks with deanery colleagues, breakfast with a friend, Open Table, singing solo at St Giles (Once In Royal David’s City!), warm space, spiritual direction and lunch with some of the ladies from church.

Ta-Dah Moment: well, as it’s nearly Christmas there are many! But it’s got to be finishing inputting the service data stats for the year. I only realised each service needed recording quite recently, and none had been done since 2020! Anyway, I’ve managed to catch up on 2023, at least.

God moment: aren’t Chrsitmas carols lovely? I had a bit of a wobble early in the week because I’ve got so much to do. I thought I’d feel more in the Christmas spirit when everything was ticked off the list. What I should have done was listen to some beautiful carols beforehand to make getting through the list so much easier! Singing In The Bleak Midwinter tonight at Open Table was so moving and inspiring.

The challenge was realising that I had 6 sermons to preach and only 1 written! Now, 2 are written, 2 are mostly done and 2 are simmering on the back burner.

Mum moment: I got an hour off to go with Soph to nursery and play with her for an hour. There was biscuit decorating, reindeer food making, letters to Father Christmas, hot chocolate and general play. It was lovely. I’m so grateful to nursery for those moments. It was nice to see some of the kids she talks about too!

Speaking of Father Christmas, Sophia is absolutely not a fan. So much so that we aren’t allowed to talk about him. So much so that if she hears his name, she says ‘go way!’. So much so that when I was giving the notices at church this morning, and I was trying to push sales of our breakfast with Father Christmas tickets, she made me stop mid sentence and pick her up, and she announced down the microphone ‘I don’t like him’. Thanks for ruining my sales pitch there, Soph!

What Sophia said: lots about how much she doesn’t want to see Father Christmas. Lots about wanting ‘lellow presents’ from Mummy and Daddy. And lots about wanting to go back to ‘holiday house’. Us too, Soph!

I am grateful for many things. Nathan’s ginger bread, Mum and Dad batch cooking for us, my wonderful church wardens, lots of nativity sets, headache tablets, Sophia enjoying Nathan brushing her hair after bath, Sweaty Mama, the wonderful buzz at St Giles before the service in the Vestry tonight, Sophia squealing excitedly as she spots Christmas lights, lovely smoked salmon and snuggly pjamas.

Next week I am looking forward to the Toddler Christmas party and the group Christmas party. They’ll be lovely, although Soph will be at both and FC will be at both, so I may be eating my words!