Christmas in England

What a difference a year makes...

While our trip across the pond last Christmas was difficult, to say the least, this year Cora was a very good girl on the long plane trip (save for about 10 minutes of screaming on our descent and landing). She played, read, bounced between my seat and Stace's, and ate. On Friday night, our second night in Martock, she only woke up briefly a few times. I'm predicting a full night's sleep tonight!

Cora is enjoying all her new Christmas presents, especially the set of Duplo-like blocks from Nan and Pop. Above, she gets a gift from Father Christmas, AKA Pop. I think she knew it was him inside the costume, as she didn't cry "all done" like she normally does when she sees Santa. She does say "all done" to the Santa statue on the landing in between the flights of stairs, each and every time we go up or down the stairs.
Here I am with Mary, Stace's Nan, before we had our Christmas dinner on the 26th, or Boxing Day. Because we arrived on Christmas afternoon, we had our family celebration a day late.
Here, Cora watches Nan play on Auntie Jenny's DS Lite. Cora was amazingly well-behaved when the family was over Friday. Truly, I was amazed. After a not-so-easy few months this fall, I think we're entering a better stage. She is really enjoying speaking, and picking up new words all the time. She can understand concepts better, and it seems that my attempts at discipline are working (sometimes). For example - I'm using her bed as the "corner," and putting her there when she disobeys - like when she continues screaming to try to get her way. I can say to her, "Stop screaming or you will go to your bed," and sometimes she'll immediately stop and regain her composure.
The brothers, in their Christmas cracker crowns. Cora seems to be in love with her Uncle Dean. She giggles when he comes in the room, and likes to hide from him and then pop out, giggling. It is very cute.
Today, Saturday, we spent the morning at home and then went into town to shop. It was very cold, but nice and sunny. I used Christmas money to purchase some Clarks boots, my first pair of black boots, believe it or not! I'm hoping to use Christmas money Cora received to get her some new shoes too.