DAY 1 - CHRISTMAS DAY

1

Christmas Day

After arriving safely on the farm the previous day, and after a good night's rest, the Macavities got all dressed up for the most special day of the year. 

"MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

2 Days - Leaving!

2

Leaving!

The Macavities where up at the crack of dawn, to load the van for the trip to their holiday destination. Drive safely!

(And what would a story, i.e. countdown from Sugarbush Valley be without a contribution from my friend Sigrun. Thank you Sigrun for the wonderful photo. I couldn't have done it better myself!)

3 Days - Packing

3

Packing!

It was chaos in the Macavity children's room. Packing was hard, but not for Rumpus. He was done, he after all will only need his swimming trunks.

4 Days - Last dinner with the Fishers

4

Last dinner with friends

The woman weren't particularly happy with the men's choice of the very informal Hamburger Restaurant for their last dinner of the year. But they did enjoy the evening and the food were delicious.

5 Days - Saying goodbye!

5 

Saying goodbye to friends

The Macavity siblings organized a picnic with their best friends in order to greet them before they leave for their holiday.

6 Days - Food shopping for the vacation.

6

Food shopping for the vacation

Cassandra decided to visit the newly opened Deli of the Corntops, with the girls. She wanted to surprise her sister with some produce exclusive to Sugarbush Valley. 

I wonder what Gussie is telling Mrs Corntop?

7 Days - Taking the washing to the Laundromat

7

Take the dirty laundry to the Laundromat

So after yesterday's pampering session, today it was back to reality for Cassandra. She was up early to take the dirty laundry to Mae's Laundromat. Mae promised her that it will be washed and ironed before they leave. 

8 Days - Get a haircut and a facial.

8

Get a haircut and a facial!

Today Cassandra took the herself and the girls for some pampering. Or rather she and Grizabella enjoyed some pampering while the Gussie and Skimble was entertained by the Trunk girls. Savannah was so kind to have them use her living room as neither Margaret nor Dorothy has a salon yet.

9 Days - Getting a housesitter.

9

Get a housesitter.

Alonzo thought hard about who to ask to take care of their house while on holiday. In the end it was an easy decision.

Is Rumpus and Linus up to their usual naughtiness?

10 Days - Writing Christmas cards

10

Writing the Christmas cards

Grizabella took it upon herself this year to motivate her siblings to write their own Christmas cards. Misstoffeless didn't waste too much time, but it does seem as if little Skimble is wondering what to write. What do you think is Rumpus up to.

11 Days - Wrap the gifts!

11

Wrapping the gifts

After ensuring that their gifts were wrapped securely, Cassandra called in the girls to help with the gift wrapping. 

12 Days - Go gift shopping

12

Go gift shopping

Cassandra invited her best friend, Isabel Fisher, to go with her gift shopping for the children. They were amazed at the variety the Toy Shop stocked.

13 days - Phone sister to confirm trip.

13

Phone sister to confirm trip.

Cassandra made a long distance call to her sister on "Middelplaas". They had a wonderful chat about their visit, and ended the conversation of promises to see each other soon.

14 days - Buying some necessities!

14

Buy some necessities.

Cassandra and the girls went shopping at the Country Market today. They had to buy some toiletries and other much needed necessities for the trip.

15 days - Get broken toys fixed.

15

Get broken toys fixed

After a thorough room clean and organising all belongings, Asparagus discovered that her favorite dollhouse is broken. She MUST take it on vacation, as she knows that she and her nieces will have a wonderful time playing with it, but first Uncle Edward must fix it.

16 days - Cancel the milk delivery order.

16

Cancel the milk delivery order

Alonzo and Skimble went out to Highfields farm to cancel the milk delivery order from Jack Meadows. Alonzo enjoyed the fresh air and the brisk walk. 

17 days - Take kids to the Doctor.

17

Take the kids to the Doctor

Cassandra wanted to ensure that they will get no "sick child" surprises during their holiday, therefore Doctor Fisher did thorough health inspections and prescribed enough medicine to see them through the vacation.

18 days - Attend the kids prize giving.

18

Attend the kids prize giving

Today is last day of the school term, which also means that it is time for the annual Prize Giving Ceremony. Rumpus surprised everyone, including himself by being awarded the "Good Fellowship Award".

19 days - Take the girls shoe shopping!

19

Take the girls shoe shopping

As a special treat to the girls Cassandra took them shopping for new shoes. They had to make a lot of tough decisions, it was especially Skimble who couldn't decide which pair to choose.

20 days - Baking the Christmas cakes.

20

Baking Christmas cakes

This is Grizabella's favorite time of the year, as she gets to bake the Christmas cakes and some other delicious cookies. Tilly, her best friend, is always very eager to help her.

21 days - Go to Skimble's concert.

21

Go to Skimble's year-end concert

All the parents of the little ones where so proud, but mostly Alsonzo and Cassandra as Skimble was a very proud performer.

22 days - Planning the trip.

22

Planning the trip

Cassandra was not in the least worried about her children's unhappiness about the trip, she knew they would come around. Making a list of everything to do was much harder, she was so worried something would be forgotten. 

23 days - Breaking the news to their friends!

23

Breaking the news to their friends!

Lauren Fisher and Ike Mulberry, best friends of Asparagus and Mistoffeles, were quite upset about the news that their friends will be away for the whole of the summer vacation. "We will have no fun together!" moaned Ike.

24 days - Budgeting for the trip.

24

Budgeting for the trip!

While Skimble was having a great time with her friends in the park, Alonzo did some head scratching about the budget for their trip.