I like to do a separate December post followed by one that's just for Chritstmas. This year's takes a deeply saddening turn.
The month started out with Lily getting some last minute practice in. Not her most rock 'n roll look, but the playing was good.
This is more like it.
It was Kryptonics big gig a legendary Southend venue Chinnery's. Kevin the Carrot hitched a ride in Lily's bass case to wish her all the best.
They were AMAZING.
Lily played brilliantly - but more than that, she gave an astonishing performance.
See what I mean?
There was a professional photographer who took some great band shots.
This one's got 'inner sleeve' written all over it.
Here's a snap from my phone that's very NME...
No wonder she needed a lie-down.
We've all joined BeReal just for another way of seeing what each other are up to. Though mostly it's been all of us at home.
Here's a little early Christmas present.
We have our own tradition of 'Mini Christmas' every year - just the three of us a couple of weeks before the big day. We started with a festive walk (note, Lily went in her pyjamas).
Then came home for roast turkey with all the trimmings.
Best tradition ever.
There was even 'snow' outside (courtesy of the machine Mummy boight back in lockdown).
Everyone had a lovely day.
There goes another of Daddy's T-shirts...
We briefly had a flurry of real snow. Only one thing to do - run out into it!
We danced around in the street.
Then went out for a quick late night trip to the corner shop stopping at the parish hall tree.
One last gig, with a very different vibe altogether. This was Lily's last ever school Christmas concert. We enjoyed it and she played really well. But the teachers had done a terrible job of organising it and Lily was furious, radiating teenage negativity. She even banned us from clapping at the end when the teachers who had supposedly 'worked so hard' were thanked.
A little weekend treat of party food and a Christmas movie.
And a bit of body art with a biro, just to see how a few tattoos might look.
That's the Christmas look sorted.
Sadly Papa didn't recover and on Dec 21st, we lost him. This picture was taken just a couple of weeks previously when we visited earlier in the month. It was so sudden and we were all devastated. Rest in peace Papa Jack, we'll all miss you so much.
