To begin (picture below) we have Luca resplendent in his main Christmas present - an Aberdeen FC football kit. He took a shine to their away strip so I didn't take much convincing to buy it for him. In an age of commercialism and global identities it's extremely difficult to convince kids to follow their local team, so his keenness is gladdening.
Our second, and rather more blurred picture above was taken in the cinema yesterday, during Luca's fourth (4th!) viewing of the Disney/Pixar animated romp "Brave". A terrific film of it's type granted, but it's rapidly losing it's lustre with me now. I'm now at the stage where I'm beginning to mouth along to many of the scenes. Although I absolutely don't wipe away a tear at the films ending on every single ruddy occasion.
Of course, Luca is not alone in watching movies over and over. Much like Lucy with "Labyrinth" and "Grease" 30 years ago, Kelly was also obsessed with a film and watched it endlessly too - a prize to whomever can put me out of my misery and enlighten me to it's name.
On that theme, I still can't even look at leather trousers without unconsciously humming "You're The One That I Want".
It's currently 11.45am on Christmas Eve, and I'm in the office trying to finish up for Christmas. A depressingly busy end to the year is ensuing, but I still hope to pack up and leave within the next couple of hours. I am, as is standard, running behind with my Christmas preparations although I'm not alone. Carole admitted on Friday that she hadn't sent out cards to any of our friends and neighbours. The first time I've ever known Carole not to be hyper-organised, although of course rather understandable this year.
Although quieter than normal due to the absence of family locally (indeed, this year Carole's immediate family are our closest relatives at a distance of 450 miles from our home) there will be little rest. Carole's in town just now picking up the turkey, while following my finish here (and a run at the gym naturally) I'll be heading again to the shops before making my way home to help Carole/get in her way/delete as applicable.
Tomorrow will bring a morning trip to our local church for Luca and I while Carole lets the horse out. Although not actively religious, I see no issue in encouraging the desire within Luca to adopt a community feeling alongside allowing him access to the ways of Catholicism, or religion in general, for the ethos and standards it purports toward. We then have friends coming for dinner in the afternoon - a dinner cooked entirely by Carole so edibility is guaranteed at least.
Quiet time will of course be observed for the annual televisual Christmas highlight. No, not the Queens Speech (REALLY not the Queens Speech) but instead "Top Of The Pops Christmas Special". However, it won't be the same this year without Dad watching confusedly from an armchair while unconsciously making faces at the standard of music these days.
No rest on Boxing Day either, as I race the "Boxing Day Fun Run", a 5.5km run round Banchory, all the while attempting to not regurgitate the ample portions of Christmas Turkey consumed the previous day.
A Very Merry Christmas to you all, and we'll hopefully speak to you on the phone/Skype/Facetime on the day.
**Useless fact of the day - US scientists calculated that Santa would have to visit 822 homes a second to deliver all the world's presents on Christmas Eve, travelling at 650 miles a second**
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