Every week I organise a full week of enjoyment for my little ones. I don’t want to let even a moment slip by out of my reach without my actions or my words speaking love to my family. The older children absorb my enthusiasm, I think, and throw themselves, very unselfishly into making sure their little sister’s days are filled to the brim with delightful activity. This week I thought it was about time I planned something special just for them. A surprise. The plan was to get the littles into bed (they are in bed and asleep by 6.30pm), then we sent the older one’s upstairs early to read – we said we felt they needed an early night!!
I quickly put together a small hot chocolate bar, using my Granny’s heirloom china and a slow cooker:
I had made chocolate spoons by melting chocolate and dipping plastic spoons into it, then dipping them into marshmallows, butterscotch pieces and fudge pieces:
The stove in the fireplace was lit, the mantlepiece festooned with twinkle lights I’d rescued from the Christmas storage box (because everything is more special with twinkly lights!), and a few candles lit, the room was ready:
Gary converted the sofa bed to a huge bed with plump cuddly cushions thrown in for good measure. I then called the children to the top of the stairs and asked them quietly to grab their duvets and pillows and bring them downstairs. Not having a clue what was going on, but guessing it was something special there was much whispered excitement as they tip toed downstairs and crept into the living room:
Their reaction was everything I could have hoped for! I made up some hot chocolates with whipped cream and chocolate shavings, and served them with a chocolate spoon for stirring:
With a roaring fire heating up the room, we snuggled down under flickering candlelight and twinkling lights, sinking into the sea of cushions and duvets, cosy and warm to watch an episode of Christmas Poirot. It was one of those magical, hold it in your heart moments:

So thankful for this life of mine.
Beautiful.
Thank you
I love your precious moments!
Thank you, so do I!!
What a wonderful idea. That’s the kind of thing they’ll remember as adults.
I hope so! It was a special night.
Oh my goodness – how amazingly fun for your big ones. 🙂 <3 I love that you are making their memories special.
Stopping by from the Weekly Wrap Up. 🙂
Thanks for visiting and for leaving a message!
It looks like so much fun and something they will remember for a long, long time. 🙂
I hope so! Thanks for popping by!
That is such a cool idea!!! How wonderful that you take each moment possible to show them you love them. I often forget that words are so important to little people. My love language is ‘acts of service’ so I tend to act out my love for others. But I really need to remember that words are very important also. Thanks for the reminder and a great idea!! Stopping by from HammockTracks.
Thanks for visiting, and for the lovely comment. I’m off to visit you now!
Talk about a sugar high! I’m vibrating just thinking about that hot chocolate.
Can I sleep in that bed?
I’ve read this three times and I’m rolling on the floor! Vibrating?! Where do you come up with these words? I can honestly say I’ve never heard of anyone vibrating through use of hot chocolate!! I’m still laughing!! And yes of course you can come and sleep in that bed! I tell you, if I knew you in real life I think I’d have a permanent stitch from laughing!
How precious…you are such a wise woman. Your children are going to grow up to be very secure and therefore productive and content adults. Please send me an email with a link you are trying to connect on Look What We Did. I will try it myself and then try and figure out what the problem is. I certainly don’t want you to be out of the loop on that site!
Thanks Savannah! And thanks for trying to sort out my link problem. I’ll email you the links soon.
I loved that evening mummy
love Lillie♥♥