Christmas has left the building

I awoke this morning with the sheer determination that the Christmas decs were to come down. And yes I know I haven't done the 12 days of Christmas, but with a return to work looming fast, and kids to get ready for school, today seemed sensible. First of all it was off to see GG Pearl & GG Jos (aka Cocker, not sure where that came from but the boys gave him the name and it sort of stuck).  Its GG Pearls birthday today and middle boy asked how old she is, to be honest I'm not sure and would not want to cause offence so I just said 80 something to which middle boy decided to tell me that GG Pearl is very old and how we die when we get old. I proceeded to tell him that GG Jos is 90 something to which middle boy was totally amazed and speechless (for all of 10 seconds). Having delivered the 12th box of chocolates for GG Pearls birthday we decided to visit Grandma and let her know how good middle boys had been in the holidays and  had refrained from trying to murder his brothers.  Middle boy seized the opportunity to ask Grandma if he could sleep tonight since he had been such a good boy! And so it was, relived of 1 boy for the night. Yippeee! Its not that I don't love my boys, but they are bloody hard work and everyone tells me I wouldn't be without them. Well let me tell you, I would be without them for a couple of days, that would be nice..... Having relieved my mother of a piece of furniture I returned home to find the other half was skillfully fitting a lock to the bedroom door, not for anything saucy mind, but to stop the flow of traffic which seems to travel through our bedroom at all hours of the day. Boy, I cant wait to have a pee on my own in the ensuite, it will be the first time in nearly 8 years. Then with the help of eldest & youngest boy, eldest and baby dog we dismantled the Christmas tree (not that I wanted or needed help) in record time (note to self: new Xmas decs needed for this year). So now the other half has gone to work on nights and I thought a nice chilled bottle or 2 with a few snacks would end the evening nicely, how wrong could I be, bloody Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on the TV and dogs with very loud squeaky balls.  Arrrrrggggggghhhhhhh!