Last-minute shopping

Back to our local garden centre for something we'd forgotten, and Wilson couldn't resist visiting their Santa's Workshop. He was a bit cross that their Father Xmas didn't remember him from the last time he saw him (at a different Santa's Workshop, at a different Garden Centre. I can't remember how I dealt with this with my own kids  - they probably didn't get to visit more than once!) but he was very pleased with his gift which, again, he's saving until Xmas morning.

The Xmas Tree is done and dusted!

Wilson has decorated the Xmas Tree pretty much unaided - I think he's done a really nice job, although he did have to climb up the curtains to adjust the star!

Wilson starts decorating the tree

Wilson has declared our Xmas Tree to be the Best Xmas Tree Ever and (although he has never seen a real Xmas tree before this year, so his judgement is based on little comparative evidence) I'm inclined to believe he might be right!

We got a bit carried away with the Mulled Ant Wine and mince pies yesterday, so we'll decorate the tree later today, which should be fun! W is currently testing the Fairy Lights. 

"Ha ha! Currently" – did you see what I did there? Electric curre… oh, never mind!

Wilson makes a decision!

At last I've heard the words I feared I might never hear: "This one! Let's get this one!"

I paid the man and between us Wilson and I carried the tree back to the car and set off for home. 

The car smells deliciously of pine… not in a Pine Toilet Duck way but like a wonderful Scandinavian Pine Forest in Winter. 

As soon as we get home we're going to have some Mulled Ant Wine and a mince pie before we start decorating the tree :-)

Still searching...

Hope Wilson will approve a Xmas Tree soon - there's some minor detail wrong with every one, and he demands perfection! I'm afraid we might still be looking for the perfect tree in the new year - but at least they might be reduced by then  :o)

The constant trekking from Garden Centre to Xmas Tree Plantation to yet another Garden Centre is making me feel like a Nomad, but Wilson's enthusiasm never flags!

Stare-down

Wilson tried to stare-down this reindeer. He lost, but it took a long time for him to finally accept defeat.

A small gift

Wilson visits Father Xmas' Workshop. I could hear much excitement from inside, and W eventually emerged bearing a small gift and a large smile.

Choosing our tree...

It's much harder to choose an Xmas tree when one is accompanied by an anteater with such high standards. Our tree has to be perfect: it has to look perfect, smell perfect, be the perfect shape and size etc. I feel a bit Scrooge-like wishing it were the perfect price!


I had to put my foot down about cutting a hole in the ceiling to accommodate an extra-tall tree even though, as Wilson pointed out, 'it would decorate two rooms at once!'


Naturally, each tree-choosing trip includes lengthy a refreshments break. 

Xmas cards start to arrive

Wilson has received loads of Xmas cards from his family - his mum, Mrs Vermilingua and all his various half- and step-brothers and -sisters… even a couple from those stepfathers who have met him. 

All the cards are very similar (I don't suppose there's a lot of choice at the Drusillas Souvenir Shop) but I think W was touched to be remembered by them all.

Wilson posts his letter

Wilson's just been out to post his letter to Father Xmas…

He has received an email informing him that he has been unsuccessful in his application to carry the Olympic Torch. I expected him to be disappointed, but he's so caught up in preparations for Xmas he hardly paid it any attention; in fact I've half a suspicion he'd forgotten he even applied!

Wilson writes a Very Important Letter...

Wilson has written his letter to Father Xmas…

Keep Calm...

Home again, and Wilson realises that as well as receiving gifts he must give some too… so he's published this new Motivational Poster to raise some cash for his Xmas Present fund. Why not print it out and stick it up… somewhere?

Tea at the Apple Market

While we were at the Apple Market we had tea, and Wilson was delighted to see that the café stocked Ant Juice! (I can't imagine where they got that from, must be left-over stock at some food warehouse.) 

So, 'Xmas Bananas' washed down with Ant Juice - what could possible be better? Roll on Xmas!

Click on this or any other picture in the blog to see it full-size!

Apple Market

On the way back from Birmingham we visited London so I could take Wilson to the Apple Market at Covent Garden. He liked the buskers there and I had to stop him from doing some busking himself. 

He bought himself some 'Xmas Bananas' from the market, and assured me they were the 'loveliest and most delicious and altogether scrummiest' bananas he had ever eaten.

Xmas markets. Again.

Ant Wars II:

Who'd have thought there were so many German Xmas Markets in England - how do they manage in Germany when all the markets are over here? 

Still, Wilson is LOVING it… especially the Xmas food! There may be no ant-related snacks, but he's making up with extra jacket potatoes and crêpes :-)

Riding with Father Xmas

How many times can one anteater ride on one ride? I had to go visit the ATM twice to keep this ride fed to Wilson's satisfaction… and when we finally left (Cheesy Wotsits crisis) he still wanted more!

This anteater is insatiable!

Xmas market

Now it's Xmas Markets! I have to admit, it is quite fun, and it helps me see Xmas once more through the eyes of childhood, since everything about it is new and fresh and magical to Wilson, as it once was to me and many years later to my children…

A gift from Wilson!

You've just got time to make Wilson's Hi Wilson! Advent Calendar - it will really get you in the mood for Xmas. 

Download the first picture, print it out and cut round the solid 'door' lines. 

Then download the next picture, print it out and glue it behind the first picture. 

Wilson recommends that you do this second bit with your eyes closed, so you don't spoil the surprise of what's behind each door -- good luck with that!

W assures me that this Advent Calendar will get everyone in the Xmas Mood!

Wilson makes the news!

Oooh! Wilson is in the Birmingham local paper! 

He is very cross that the report got both our names wrong, by the spelling mistakes (ant-eter indeed!) etc, but I think he's quite pleased with his dare-devil depiction in the story... and secretly, he loves being called 'exotic'! Also, he thinks his profile works well in the photo!

This is definitely one for his Cuttings album!

In search of Xmas

We've been trekking from store to store visiting all the Xmas displays. Wilson keeps telling me, and anyone else who will listen, that Xmas will be better that Talk Like a Pirate Day and Halloween rolled into one!

For myself, I'm finding it a bit difficult to feel Xmassy when the sun is shining, the weather is warm and it's still only November, but W's mood is quite contagious!