Not quite as planned

Today was to be one of the highlights in our festivities - Hermione playing Twinkle Twinkle on her clarinet at the Music Academy Christmas Concert and dressing the trees this afternoon.

Unfortunately the day started with a poorly Fanjio. The other week Henrietta was looking peaky for a few days and now Fanjio. I don't think they like it when we have a few days of heavy rain and wind. So, before we set off for the concert we had to get Fanjio into the hospital hutch with warm mash. Not the best start to the day. Here is Fanjio (brown) with Omlet (black) a couple of weeks ago.

When we arrived home we found nana in bed. She's also under the weather. She thinks she's just over done things this week (it's been a social whirl) and will be fine tomorrow. I hope so. I feel ever so worried just like when the kids are unwell. She's sleeping but I want to keep going in and checking on her.

Hermione played ever so well in the concert and Miles enjoyed it too. The conductor changed the playing order around slightly so that Hermione played her tune half way through as opposed to right at the end as originally listed. That was great as we were all able to enjoy it and leave before Miles had too much. We were there for an hour and a half and enjoyed some great music.

We have also made a start on the decorations but Hermione felt it just wasn't the same without her 'best mate' nana so we have left some to do tomorrow.

While we were wrestling the real tree into the hall a neighbour knocked with this gingerbread house for the children. Isn't it fab? I worried when we moved to a village that it may take a long time to fit in but our neighbours have been wonderful. Ever so kind.

I wonder if we manage to replicate anything like this with the gingerbread house kits we have bought from Ikea? I doubt it somehow. For anyone who fancies having a go at this but doesn't want to start from scratch the gingerbread kit is only £1.99 at Ikea - a lot cheaper that Tescos and M&S.