Christmas eve eve

It's Christmas eve eve already and thank goodness we don't take it all too seriously. Friends are running around getting last minute bits and pieces, while we had to make a dash out today because I thought we'd run out of baked beans. Turns out there were some in the garage (of course) and so I needn't have worried. As with last year we are planning on taking kids and dogs to Salisbury Plain after we've done presents to blow out the cobwebs before home for ham, egg and chips and a bit of TV.

Obviously there are moments when I wonder whether we should make more effort, and whether we are creating a new generation of Christmas Scrooges in our kids, but mainly I'm just pleased that we have found a balance whereby everyone is happy - surely that is what Christmas is about after all.

This year the girls have had Christmas upgrades on bikes and bike equipment. This is basically timed to coincide for Christmas rather than be a surprise because quite frankly it's hard to hide anything in our house (despite our best attempts the fact we have family sharing on our iPads seems to mean every purchase is announced to all members of the family). Abi has been in need of a bigger bike for a while, and Izzy has been coveting proper bike trousers for ever so this is what we ordered. Glenn managed to get a bargain bike for Abi, in need a bit of work so guess others were less interested, so we are all set for our ride.

Not that we've really gone overboard on indulgence (other than all the mince pies), but I fully intend to keep up my marathon training over the holidays. Despite really enjoying the running over the last few months, I still have to psych myself up for my weekly long run. I make all kinds of excuses in my head as to why it might not be a good idea to run outdoors, none of which are even remotely valid. It's silly because as soon as I'm out I love it (well, like it and then love the feeling afterwards) but even so it still is a real battle of mind over matter every week. This week I did just over 10 miles comfortably so I'm hoping I've built a good base before I start the ramp up in the new year. Now that bit is scary - 10 miles is relatively easy to get up to. 20 miles is another matter altogether!!

Now for a pre-Christmas glass of wine. I think I've earnt it.

Dog trainng!

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