My youngest daughter had her first nativity today, she was a reindeer.  She told me this morning that she could not eat her breakfast because it was not reindeer food.  It would appear that she was getting into character.  We galloped to school, because that is how a reindeer gets to school and I then went home and waited to walk back in time for her nativity.

I was not sure what to expect as she had never done anything like this before, but she sat proud at the front of the stage smiling for all the cameras.  She seemed to be loving every moment.  This wasn't a traditional nativity but a Christmas sing along and all the children seemed to really enjoy themselves.  

I was really proud of her, she sang all the songs and knew all the actions.  She stood up to sing when it was her turn and just seemed really happy and comfortable with everything.  I did wonder though were my little toddler had gone, she looked so grown up on the stage.

Which then resulted in a fit of giggles.  If you were watching the nativity my daughter was in, this was why she started giggling.

I am very proud of my superstar

We took a walk and discovered that it is possible to go in with the reindeer.  My youngest could not believe it

She got very excited to be in with the reindeer that I did have to calm her down

We sat on a bench and watched the reindeer.  There came a point when I hoped I had shut the gate

Thankfully I had and there was no escaping reindeer!

It was so peaceful sitting with my youngest and watching the reindeer.

This day I love Stars and Reindeer

Yay, I did it!  A whole year and a photo a day!  So here it is the final week of Project 365 for 2013

Sunday

We drove up the M62 to visit Lisa [Hollybobbs] and family to celebrate her daughters birthday.  We had a wonderful day and the girls really enjoyed them selves.  I had loads of wonderful photos and when I was looking through I spotted this.  My daughter who asked to hold my phone in the car had actually been taking photos.  I was surprised but also rather impressed!

Monday

The girls absolutely adore our dog.  So much so that they dressed up the dog in their fairy wings, he wasn't at all bothered and it made them laugh!

Tuesday [Christmas Eve]

Christmas Eve and the girls got ready for Santa coming by making reindeer food.  

Wednesday [Christmas Day]

We had a really wonderful Christmas spent with family.  Whilst I had lots of fantastic pictures I had to choose this as one of my favourite, I think it sums Christmas up!

Thursday [Boxing Day]

We generally spent the day playing and having fun.  Of course J got in on the action too.

Friday

My eldest and I baked cakes, as she knows that after Christmas comes her birthday.  She hasn't yet figured out its a good few months away but she wanted to make a Happy Birthday cake.

Saturday

With it still raining outside another day spent in playing.  The girls love their fold out books, in particular the pirate ship.  This has lead to my youngest randomly shouting 'Ahoy' round the house!

Sunday

With a break in the rain we ventured outside.  Shortly after this photo was taken, the pushchair became stuck in incredibly deep sticky mud and I almost put out a tweet to be rescued.

Monday

Bit of a silly day today, my eldest kept pulling faces and asking to have her photo taken.

Tuesday [New Years Eve]

We decided to venture out in the cold and wet and took the girls shopping.  There was a merry go round and both girls loved waving at everyone as they went round.  I think a perfect way to wave goodbye to 2013 and hello to 2014!

The reindeer must have been fed a few times from the various visitors as I soon had my phone sniffed to see if it could be eaten.

After watching the reindeer it was time to make sure Santa sleigh was in full working order.  The girls however were rather distracted by the reindeer and horses, and kept pointing and looking round.

The elves seemed to be hard at work in the wood and we peeped through the key holes of the elves doors.

We walked round the path and could hear sounds of elves building toys and bells jingle, then the elves said 'shh shh some ones coming' it all went quiet.  We continued to walk and then the elves started to work again.  My eldest daughter loved it.  We spotted some reindeer hiding in the forest

Then in the pitch black was a table with a blue button which said 'Push'. So we picked up my daughter who leaned over the button to push it,

The button light up the tree above us and started a bubble machine.

The taster session soon drew to a close and the Elves took us to our next destination, the Arctic Circle.  

Rovaniemi is around 5km South of the Arctic Circle and I felt very lucky to have not only gone, but to have been part of a crossing ceremony.  We entered a dark traditional house with a wood burning fire in the middle.  The ceremony was performed and the story was told about why Rudolph has a red nose.  Our noses were then coated in black soot from the fire, which will glow on Christmas to help Santa find his way.

Activity 1 - Husky Rides

There can be only one word to describe this and that is Wow.  The main ride took place at night, and was a little too dark for my camera to capture, but it was simply magical.  The dogs work together pulling the sleigh through the snow.  There is a real sense of speed as the cold wind rushes past your face, and a real thrill as the speed mounts.  The smell from the Husky is one that will stay with you forever, the thrill and enjoyment from the ride will leave you forever with a smile.  A truly magical experience.

As might be expected there are some wonderful Christmas decorations and a great market.  I picked up some lovely decorations and some Christmas presents from here.  There are a great selection of shops, activity/excursion shops and restaurants.

Santa took off his coat and hung it with the Boys and Girls coats

Before taking it in turns to speak to each of the Boys and Girls.  As the only couple present without children we decided that we wanted the children to see Santa and we were not going to go up.  However Santa had other ideas and his Elf came to get us.  He spoke to us and asked what we wanted for Christmas and I told him.  It was the same as what I had wished for on the reindeer rides.