Plan Ahead For Joy This Christmas

It's been a long year - I've moved from Scotland's capital downto England's capital. I'm now living in London's busyChelsea region. I also had my second child this year: my sonBrad is now 9 weeks old. It can be hard sometimes, managing twoyoung babies by myself during the day. Majela is now 18 monthsand is a handful in her own right, but trying to keep her undercontrol and look after Brad is very difficult at times. There are three joys that I need to help me enjoy arelaxing day in the face of the madness which is Christmas;caffeine, quiet children and a mobile with a good battery. Now that Christmas is getting so near I need to getout doing some shopping! I have managed to convince mysister-in-law to watch Brad for a couple of hours and this willlet me out to the shops. On the way back from the shops, my planis to pop in to Starbucks and try one of their new Christmascoffees. I've already had a peak at their new line of coffeesonline at Starbucks Christmas drinks. The gingerbreadlatte sounds good, but I'm looking forward more to trying theirnew toffee nut latte. I can enjoy my coffee, and myday, if I can keep Majela quiet for a while. I can bribe herwith a little toy from the Early Learning Centre, and she'll behappily tired out after having fun in the shop. I'mgoing to get Majela something small on the day, which I cancarry around, and then I can give it to her in the Starbucks tokeep her calm while I have my coffee. The big present that I'mgoing to get her for Christmas I'll get on their website ( ELC ) and they cancarry it home for me. While I'm out I know I don'thave to worry about Brad because my sister-in-law can phone meat any time. My last phone's battery didn't even last half a dayand I'd always be worrying about leaving the kids at home. I'mnot really a geek, but I got my new Sony phone ( Sony Ericcson ) becausethe battery's so strong. This is also handy when I have to goout at night. Planning ahead to put some little joysinto your day isn't selfish - it's just the best way to enjoyyour Christmas in peace.