Away with the fairies

The 1st December has always caused a bit of a flurry in our house.

It's when Tinsel and Twinkle first arrive.

You haven't met them? No?

Well that is probably because they are our own very personal Christmas fairies who first made an appearance Circa 1953 when my eldest brother was 2 1/2, ten years before I was born even. And they have been visiting ever since, but only in Advent, and they can only be seen by certain selected people.

Tinsel and Twinkle who are now really quite old for fairies, although as we understand it they are immortal so won't be too much affected by such, are also tasked with the job of filling the cloth advent calendar with sweeties on a daily basis during December. This task has become More difficult for them as the years have progressed because fitting five sweeties into a little pocket made for one is quite a challenge. Fortunately, with their magic powers they are able to magic up smaller sweets and as such they cope admirably.

So this evening at bath time of the two youngest, they asked if the Advent calendar was up yet. No I admitted. I haven't done it yet I said. (Was perhaps too busy blogging and doing radio show.) That's not fair said 8 year old. It's Advent, and we haven't even got the calendar up yet. Piously 6 year old said "Christmas is about Jesus anyway. "I don't believe in God" came the retort. "So, quick as a flash hubby retorted back, "So why are you bothered about Advent then?" No response, naturally.

Meanwhile having enlisted help of daughter number two, while the little ones were still in the bath, we got out the advent calendar and hung it up and left Tinsel and Twinkle to do some magic with the sweets.

We then did our family tradition of talking to the fairies, once the 8 and 6 were tucked up in bed. ESOS (eldest son, only son aged 14) and DNT (Daughter number two aged 12) came to join in, not wanting to miss out on giving any messages to Father Christmas. Eldest daughter (aged 16, who always said when she was younger that she wanted to be a fairy when she grew up, and got close by becoming the Angel for Orange in Spain last week), was at a party but I am sure would otherwise have been there too.

Tinsel asked youngest daughter (6 year old) what she would like for Christmas. "A guinea pig" came the response. Fortunately the fairies very sensibly suggested that that might not be such a good idea at the moment, given that we have an 8 month old collie puppy who needs to be the baby of the family for a while and a cat with nose put out of joint since puppy arrived who might eat vermin on entry to the house. She then asked if she could have some things to give to the "Love in a Box Scheme" for children who don't get presents at Christmas. This was one of those moments as a mother when (forgive me for being a bit soppy) but I just wanted to cry and give her a big hug. Contained tears but did give her a big hug....

Went on to talk about the rest of their lists, and then predictably ESOS and DNT joined in with their lists too. Took a look at the Advent calendar and sure enough sweets had appeared there as we had talked to Tinsel and Twinkle.

So they all ate the sweets, and then, as I was trying to remember to be a good mother, I sent 6 and 8 off to clean their teeth again, and while they were doing that ESOS (aged 14), DNT (Aged 12) Hubby (aged 44) and I (Aged 44) carried on talking to Tinsel and Twinkle. We were completely away with the fairies and so happy................