"Maybe Christmas, the Grinch thought, doesn't come from a store."

I fell asleep on the sofa last night before doing all the usual Christmas touches for the boys, thankfully it wasn't for to long, i woke up at 12:30 and sprang into action making sure that Santa had put all the presents out safely so that no one tripped in the morning and that Santa had left his special key at the door (from Nanny Roo). Ive not been feeling great for a few days so decided to spend the night on the sofa to save Mrs M the discomfort of my snoring from being full up with cold.

Seth woke up at 5:30 to pop to the loo and was excited to find home made stockings left by Santa (aka Mrs M). Surprisingly because his clock hadn't gone off he went back to bed until it did, i was really shocked. He got up at 6:30, came in to me and requested i put 'The Santa Clause 2' movie on so that we could curl up under the duvet and wait for mommy and Opeie to wake up. It wasn't long before they joined us and we soon had a look through our stockings.

I especially loved my Spider-man stocking that Mrs M made me as she had used one of Opeie's old T-shirts i liked, making it more personal. We all had some amazing presents but it was the personal touches and the handmade items that really made my Christmas this year. Starting with a bottle of beer. It wouldn't seem personal to most but the beer does have a significance. It was an American beer that i had when we were in Florida the day i proposed to Mrs M (She's such a cutie).

I really loved the framed picture that Mrs M had made me from Opeie. I love having things like this as its great to look back at. Home made things mean more to me than anything else and they will always be cherished.

I'm sure that your not shocked to read that Mrs M's card from me and the boys was made from Lego, which she loved. Seth decided on a Snowman with multi coloured buttons and a face that spins round so we had spent about an hour making one for her. I do love a good Lego gift.

On the last day of school Seth had come home with a present wrapped up for Mrs M, he took me to one side and told me that it was a candle holder and he was really excited about her opening it as we had given her the Yankee candle advent this Christmas and he knew how much she loved candles. Well Mrs M was over the moon at her hand made gift and it will take pride of place.

When it comes to Birthdays, Christmas or fathers day the one thing i love the most is that i know Mrs M will have helped the boys make me a very personal card and this Christmas was no exception. I loved my Christmas tree card made from outlining Opeie and Seth's hands. Very creative.

I couldn't have asked for a nicer Christmas day and as i type this, still ridiculously full from the beautiful Christmas dinner that Mrs M prepared i find myself so thankful of what i have. I'm so lucky that the three people i adore most are here every morning when i wake up.