The perfect tree
Our Christmas tree went up at the weekend. And then fell down again less than an hour later.
Fourteen-year-old Gabriel did not partake in the annual tree hunt ritual this year.
So it was left to Isaac, 11, and myself to find the perfect tree.
He was in a chirpy mood: "Do you know, dad, that after Fireworks Night, Christmas Day and my birthday, the day we get the Christmas tree is my favourite day of the year?" he asked.
After 20 minutes looking at a massive variety of trees at our chosen destination, I finally lost my patience.
"We'll take this one," I said, thrusting a tree at the salesman.
Isaac was not happy, and reeled off three good reasons why that tree just wouldn't do, right in front of the embarrassed salesman.
I was not in the mood for changing my opinion and insisted on the sale going through.
It was touch and go whether Isaac would forgive me, but as the baubles, lights and tinsel were loaded on the tree back home, his mood lightened again.
His smile widened further when my good lady then appeared to whisk them off for a McDonalds lunch.
They'd been gone for about half an hour when I heard an ominous sound.
I turned to see the tree heading for the ground, and only just managed to grab it before everything went flying.
I then stood like a lemon for a further 15 minutes, holding the tree up, unable to lower it down and frightened that if I let it go, the new glass baubles wouldn't survive the fall.
How my supportive family laughed when they returned to find me, a statue, half-covered in tinsel and a silver star stuck on my back.
Next year I think we'll just have a Christmas wreath.
Great excitement in our house last week.
Nothing to do with Christmas, nor Isaac's birthday (12 days to go and yes, he is counting.)
The excitement was down to a visit we made to see a new pet. We've decided to get a new kitten, so made a phone call and went round to see the prospective new addition one night last week.
She was adorable, very sweet, but too young to leave her mother. So we're going to pick her up in early January.
Which gives the boys plenty of time to argue over a name.
Isaac has claimed the cat as his own so believes he has the right to name her. Gabriel, however, has stated he cannot live in a household in which one of the inhabitants is called Mr Fluffles.
So the argument goes on ... and on.
I'm leaving them to it, content in the knowledge that our new kitten will definitely be named Tasmin.
Unless the wife disagrees.
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Weather for Sunderland
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
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Temperature: 8 C to 18 C
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