Crystal Christmas Tree, and other fun

I present the incredible Crystal Christmas Tree, free with today's National Geographic Kids. Simply place the provided crystals into the small circular tray, add water, stir till dissolved and then assemble Christmas tree and place therein. Instructions state 'crystals will begin to form within 15 minutes, and the tree will be fully grown in one hour.'


Above shows tree after 1 hour (18.00hrs, 23/12/11)

Meanhile, I have finally got the Christmas decorations up.


I have Yule Logged.


Lovely things have arrived in the post.

From angryparsnip.

From Rachel Fenton.

And, unaware of the controversial new IPYPIASM points system, I persuaded a couple of small poets to engage in the second-greatest December festival ever because we, er, needed the points.

Rather sorry I did so now. You may gather, from their heartfelt outpourings, that I am not a mother who believes in Wiis, Nintendos, X-Boxes, i-Pods or i-Pads for eight-year olds. Of course, everybody else has them.

No idea what's so great about the swimming pool. Except they can't hear me when they're in there...
As I still have to do the Christmas Shopping tomorrow, I'm feeling a bit this. Again.

And look! Crystal Christmas tree, 01:00 hrs, 24/12/2011. 8 hours.