Buddy Blog Day 24: Bye Bye Buddy

Today is Buddy and Holly's  last day. John has been weepy at the thought of them disappearing back to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. I'm hoping that the presents distract him.

As a parting gift they have made a special Christmas Eve box. They filled it with new pyjamas, a Christmas film, a photo frame to be filled with a photo of John, Jamie,  Buddy and Holly. There is scattering of golden coins in the box along with candy canes and reindeer dust. The Santa key is also included as we don't have a chimney.

Tomorrow is really the start of Christmas for my family.  My Dad who lives in Czech Republic celebrates Christmas on Christmas Eve, as is traditional there, with the Christmas meal of carp being served and toys appearing at night time after leaving a window open for baby Jesus to sneak in.

We start our traditions on Christmas Eve  too by visiting grandparents, watching a Christmas film together and going out for dinner. Last year Buddy organised a festive bath for John which he will do again this year (perhaps omitting the green dye and glitter in the water). We also read The Night Before Christmas for the bedtime story.

It has been amazing to witness John's reaction to his elf friends again this year. I hope that this will be a tradition I can keep going as long as he still believes. It's magical.

Buddy Blog Day 23: 2 Sleeps, Santa is Watching!

This morning we awoke to find dusty white footprints all over the living room and a mound of white with '
2 sleeps written in it. The footprints led to the kitchen where a half eaten mince pie and carrot lay.

Holly's note explained the mystery. Santa had popped by to praise John for his kindness, to encourage him to continue, especially towards his parents and to remind him that Santa is always watching.

I can't believe it's only 2 more sleeps.  So very exciting!!!

Buddy Blog Day 22: Holly's Help for the Homeless

I never easily walk past a homeless person. I realise it is a divisive topic but I believe that it could happen to even the best of people. I try not to judge them for what they do to make their life on the streets more bearable because I am not in their shoes. I don't know what happened to them to lead them here. All I see is a human being whose life circumstances landed them in an unfortunate situation.  At this time of year I find it even more difficult. I usually donate clothes or money to homeless charities. Last week we donated to Social Bite; a social enterprise who are trying to feed homeless people Christmas dinner in their cafe in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Holly has also worked her magic and suggested that John make up a little care package with some essentials to give to a homeless person when we visit Edinburgh today for the Christmas Market. She has also thrown in a £5 McDonald's gift voucher so this should get the person gifted their lunch too.

John is young but even at 4 years old he is aware of homelessness. He went into Edinburgh with me a few weeks ago a commented on the many people sleeping rough in doorways. I explained as best I could and he was concerned. He asked why nobody helps them and gives them a home. "Where are their mums?" He asked. If only life was as straightforward as a 4 year old sees it. Our country would probably be better off.

I don't think it's a disgrace that homeless people choose to  crowd every doorway in Princes Street and that they are so visible. For where else should they go?  I think it's a disgrace that there are so many homeless in the first place and so many unwilling to show them compassion. They may be immigrants, alcoholics, drug addicts or indeed chancers but you don't know their circumstances. You haven't lived their lives.

I want my children to learn that you treat everyone the same. People living in doorways are not lesser than those in palaces they have just have less stuff. They are still worthy of care, love and compassion as we all are. Not just at Christmas but all year round. 

#SharingBuddysMagic #HollysHolidayHappiness

*Buddy has been on the elf juice again...

Buddy Blog Day 21: Pumpaloons

Holly took a well deserved break and let her hair down with a game of Pumpaloons  with Buddy . This is a favourite game of John's at the moment. You have a race to see who can pump up the inflatables first.  He then likes to play boxing with them. This usually doesn't end well! Let's hope Buddy and Holly are more sensible.

Buddy Blog Day 20: Walkies

When Buddy arrived last year, our old dog Ruby was his biggest fan. He could often be found in her bed cuddled in under a paw. When John broke the news to Buddy that Ruby had gone to Rainbow Bridge earlier this year, Holly knew just the right tribute that would be perfect for Ruby.

Ruby was a rescue dog but really she was the one who added something to our lives. She was the first shared responsibility my husband and I took on. She was a beautiful soul. Gentle and calm not bouncy like her breed naturally is but in her own way brightened our lives.

Since her passing, Kaiya has refused to sleep in the bed they shared. It's still like new so Holly has suggested that they donate the bed and some other pet supplies like shampoo, treats, poo bags, toy lead and collar to dogs like Ruby, that are looking for that perfect home.

A group of friends set up a charity called Adopt a Boxer Scotland which aims to rehome dogs that have come into their care for numerous different reasons. Some of them come with nothing and they depend on donations and contributions to ensure they start their new lives with the basics. 

After we dropped off the care package we went to visit Santa on his barge. It was a brilliant day and the expressions on their faces in the photos below say it all...

Buddy Blog Day 19: Operation Buddy's Backpack

Mary's Meals are a well known charity who raise funds to help feed children in Malawi. Part of their fundraising involves The Backpack Project. Most children turning up to school have nothing more than a plastic bag and not much within it. The backpack project aims to change this.

Simply, you buy or donate your backpack and fill it with essential supplies to help a child in Malawi get the most out of attending school.

Holly brought some pencils, pens and rulers to start John off and gave him a shopping list to source the rest of the items for the bag. I posted my plan on facebook and asked if anyone would like to take part. I'm pleased to report that 3 of my friends have pledged to do their own backpack so that's 4 including mine. I'd like to try and get more so that I have a decent amount so if you are interested and live locally please get in touch.

If you would like to see the backpack journey and the different it can make, this is a good video ... 

http://youtu.be/YHwKlcemyL8

#SharingBuddysMagic #HollysHolidayHappiness

Buddy Blog Day 18: Happy Birthday Buddy

Buddy is 3 today and his favourite game is pass the parcel. Holly had wrapped up a surprise gift for the game which turned out to be a new top for John to wear to the Christmas party today. We all sang Happy Birthday to Buddy.

John had his last day at Nursery and Santa came to visit all the boys and girls. Holly and Buddy enjoyed some cake and party games with the other toys while we were out. John wanted to make Buddy a card but we ran out of time today.  Maybe we will make him a belated one tomorrow. That's usually my style anyway!

#SharingBuddysMagic #HollysHolidayHappiness

Buddy Blog Day 17: Buddy Bubbles

Buddy was feeling a little ruddy after his baking yesterday so he decided to have a bubble bath. He had his towel turban on and a bath towel round to protect his dignity. He brought with him some lovely new soap and snowman bubble bath. He is now smelling as fresh as a daisy.

Holly brought gifts for John to give to his nursery teachers as it's his last day at Nursery before the Christmas break tomorrow.

#SharingBuddysMagic #HollysHolidayHappiness

Buddy Blog Day 16: Buddy's Baffies

Buddy and Holly were found in the tree this morning. Buddy had on a pair of oversized baffies (slippers). Holly's note explained that she had bought them for Buddy but they were too big. She said she thought they might fit John and he was welcome to keep them.

John was delighted.  He said "It's so kind of Holly to do something kind for me today by bringing me elf baffies. Now I'm a proper elf like Buddy and I love love love them."

Buddy Blog Day 15: Cookie Monster

Head chef Buddy donned his hat and apron today. Armed with a baking bowl, spoon, cookie jar mix and his helpful assistants, he managed to knock up some delicious cookies. As there weren't really enough to share round the neighbours,  he suggested we buy some to take round. That is probably safer anyway although baking was closely monitored by Grandad Kevy.

Buddy Blog Day 12: Happy Christmas Jumper Day

It's National Christmas Jumper Day today so Buddy and Holly got in the spirit with their festive attire. Holly brought money for John to give to his nursery who are raising money for Save the Children today. Buddy brought a tiny jumper tree decoration.

We all got in the Christmas spirit by going to my school to see my pupils nativity.  It feels so Christmassy with the shows and parties on the calendar this week. It won't be long now until the big day!

#SharingBuddysMagic
#HollysHolidayHappiness

Buddy Blog Day 10: Food for Thought

Sometimes I wonder how much of the donation type of kindness is completely lost on John. At 4 years old, thankfully, he can't comprehend a world where children don't get Christmas presents, where babies don't have toys, where families have to choose between heating their homes or eating and where people without homes sleep in doorways.

When he woke up this morning to find to his disappointment that Buddy had greedily eaten his advent he was overjoyed to find that Holly had left him some soup and jelly. 'How random' he must've thought!

He had already opened the jelly and was tucking in by the time I made it downstairs frantically asking him to stop and wait until I read the note. When I read that this food was for the Foodbank, for people who don't have enough food, he stopped eating immediately and said "they can have the rest, I prefer the strawberry anyway." Bless his heart.

My concerns over his understanding of giving in a charitable way are possibly unfounded as he eloquently explained to his Dad as soon as he entered the room that the tins were not for him but for other people at the Foodbank.  He seemed worried that his Dad might scoff a whole tin of vegetable soup for breakfast before finding out that it wasn't ours.

Holly also left some coins to buy more tins so we will be taking a trip out on Friday to fill a bag with tins and packets that the foodbank have requested on their website. We have also appealed on facebook for any donations that others may have for us to collect. I hope that this is the start of John's realisation that the world is bigger than him. Not to strip him of his innocence but to teach him about inequality,  to encourage compassion and to support him to feel that he can make a difference in the world.

#SharingBuddysMagic
#HollysHolidayHappiness