rathwood

It’s a Kids Christmas-Plans and Ideas  

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Christmas really is all about kids. The magic, the memories and the mayhem! For us December used to be all about socialising and catching up with friends and in part it still is but Josh is really clued in this year so we have a few things planned.
We had a sudden family bereavement just as we arrived home from New York hence the delayed ‘top spots’ post.. Because of this we want to make sure it’s a lovely family Christmas and here are some of our plans below. 
Last weekend kicked off with a recorded Late Late Toy Show with Homemade Gingerbread Men session. Then on Sunday we went to Rathwood for the Santa Train, I had heard mixed reports from other years but we loved the Teddy Bear picnic so we are hopeful. You can see my review here.
Yesterday we will be posted Josh’s  Santa letter and An Post do something lovely which means they get a return letter from Santa-I can’t wait to see Josh’s reaction!

  
At the weekend we have a workshop in The Maritime Museum in conjunction with NGI and Dun Laoghaire Christmas Fair. Sunday is my husbands work family Christmas Day and tree time which I think he will love this year with all the sparkly lights! We are going to try here for our tree this year-Glencullen Christmas Farm
The following weekend we are hoping to go in and see the live crib at the Mansion House.

Then that Monday we are doing Santa again {yes about his 4th time to see the big man} in Airfield with my mum which will be lovely. 
We have one more workshop pencilled in for the 19th in the National Gallery but we just hope to get a spot.

  
Some other festive ideas {that aren’t booked out}:
Reindeer Run 

Christmas Kingdom Malahide

Believe Christmas Market 

I also got this idea from a fellow blogger Mum of Boys and it’s a tradition I am definitely going to take up this year! 
Create a Christmas Box. Create a box for the festive season that can be pulled out on 1st December every year. Include Christmas stories, DVDs, music CDs, figurines, decorations, and festive toys. When the kids see the box coming out of storage, they will know that Christmas season has begun!

I love these boxes that are supplied locally to me so may get one of these for it!

  

Next up with be some pressie ideas for any last minute shopping that might still need to be done! 

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Santa @ Rathwood

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We set off this morning on a wet and very blustery day but that didn’t dampen the excitement in our house.

We popped on our reindeer boppers, stuck on some Christmas tunes and off we headed to Tullow! We arrived down in just over an hour and from the minute we arrived everything ran like clockwork. The lady at reception kindly printed our forgotten tickets then we wandered around the Christmas shop and we were ready to sign in for Santa!

  
It started with getting little red cheeks and noses for the kids, badges for the adults and reindeer head bands for the kids too in a ‘waiting‘ room! Then it was in to see Mrs Claus and Jack Frost to bring back the Christmas spirit, Josh was delighted with the medal he received for the great job 😉🏅.

  
We all hopped on the train and make the short journey through the woods with a glimpse of Rudolph and Santa in his chimney along the way.

We waited a short time then we were called to see Santa. Josh was a little scared of the big man but once in my arms was happy to chat away and the elf kindly obliged in some photo taking.

Back on the train to candy cane lane and to make some elves in the workshop. Josh was starting to get hungry and tired at this stage and by some miracle we got our pic on the sleigh in the midst of a full mortifying meltdown.

  
Some festive purchases with our discount on the way out and despite the tearful end we were promptly told when back in the car ‘dat was luvly’ just as his eyes closed and he nodded off to sleep! Wrecked from all the excitement..

  
A really lovely morning and would highly recommend for future Christmases. We did a quick pit stop in Kildare Village en route home for some mama/dada retail therapy and all was good again