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Long Distance Christmases

(12 Posts)
Butty Fri 21-Dec-12 18:21:51

It's a poignant time of year for all us gn-grandparents who's grandchildren live across oceans and countries.

We skype or gvid. A favourite of my 4 and 2 yr grandkids is 'Monkey'. A cheap, big, loud and colourful hand puppet who talks with a French accent, and doesn't always understand their American accent. He is extremely silly, and has the kids giggling to bust. They show him their latest finds, toys, hair grips, t-shirt logos, or try to feed him pretzels, bananas or cheese sticks.
Today he was Papa Noel getting fussed with wrapping paper and sellotape.

It was a joy. grin

Any other entertainment ideas welcome.

wisewoman Sat 22-Dec-12 10:00:40

What a great idea! What lovely memories you are making for your grandchildren. Skype can be really difficult with wee ones but you are making it into a treat.

Sook Sat 22-Dec-12 10:06:37

Butty what a lovely idea and something that your grandchildren will remember for ever.

whenim64 Sat 22-Dec-12 10:26:28

That's the sort of thing my grandchildren would love, too. They don't get the idea of sitting in front of a screen, but interacting with a puppet will keep them there for long enough. Mine also like having a story on Skype, especially if it's 'scary' and they get to jump. We discovered this after they went to the Peter Pan panto and the crocodile kept coming on to scare the children.

Mamie Sat 22-Dec-12 11:34:18

Lovely Butty, what a fab idea.
We will have a Skype Christmas with the family in Spain, but the family from England will be here. Just had a shock moment as DD rang to say that LD Lines have cancelled all sailings today and tomorrow. They have managed to re-book on P and O fortunately!

Butty Sat 22-Dec-12 12:50:39

Phew! smile

Mamie Sat 22-Dec-12 12:58:11

Indeed.
We are off to a village wedding this afternoon - just the Mairie and the Vin d'Honneur, but it will be a nice start to Christmas. May get a bit wet though as the Mairie is tiny and I can't think we will all fit in. The covered space outside is currently occupied by the Baby Jesus!

granjura Sat 22-Dec-12 13:08:01

Won't be able to relax until I hear eldest, OH and grand-kids have arrived safely in Northern Ireland, traveling from Surrey. For 8 gale- so ferry crossing (if it goes! they might have to stay in hotel!) won't be easy with 2 little ones.

Must say the prospect of visiting youngest and partner in Tenerife after Christmas is cheering me up no end.

Mamie Sat 22-Dec-12 13:35:30

Yes we are off to the Costa del Sol in January to see the son / sun! I keep looking at the webcam and temperatures and thinking that looks nice.
Hope they are OK Granjura, definitely not a good day for ferries...

Butty Sat 22-Dec-12 13:46:03

Hope you hear soon granjura. With Tenerife on the horizon, no wonder some cheer is around. Lovely.

Mamie Sat 22-Dec-12 16:52:12

Well that was a jolly start to Christmas. Typical village wedding, lots of waiting around and kissing, people dressed in anything from frilly frocks to jeans and cardigans, much hilarity during the ceremony and then Vin Chaud and brioche in the mud at the farm. Great fun.
I do like Christmas in rural France.

Butty Sat 22-Dec-12 17:33:10

I can just see it, Mamie! smile