Counting down the days

We don't have a tree or a wreath or any lights up yet, no baking done and shopping and making presents is not finished.
But, we have been practising lots of carols / songs on the piano and violin and with our voices. In fact, Claire got a wee certificate from school for "wonderful singing". And I am going this afternoon to see the school nativity play ("Born in a Barn") and hear this wonderful singing.
And we are just enjoying opening all our advent calendars, of which we have seven. The image above is the Cbeebies online one that we take turns opening. So that's one computer mouse clicking calendar, 2 chocolate, 2 with doors and pictures, one with socks and playmobil and one circular one that slides to reveal a scripture. Oh, and an advent wreath.
We are bigging up advent in our house.
Hope you are enjoying the waiting time for Christmas!

Victorian Glad Rags

The upper years have been learning about the Victorians and put on a special tea for the parents, with songs and poems as well as scones, cakes, chutneys that they had made themselves.

 I rifled through my wardrobe to see what I could throw together for just such an occasion.

Right at the back I found a chemise, corset, bustle, underskirt, velvet and tafetta overskirt and a velvet jacket with jewelled buttons. That'll do.