Weihnachtsmarkt

We took the Podlings to Birmingham yesterday to see the Christmas lights and visit the German Christmas market they hold there every year. It was snowing when we were getting ready, so we knew it would be cold and dressed accordingly. When we arrived in Birmingham, we bundled everyone up in their winter gear and set off for an afternoon of Christmas fun. The lights were lovely and the Podlings really enjoyed them. Tom didn't really get into the spirit of things to begin with because he HATES being cold, but he cheered up when we bought him a pretzel. It was almost as big as him, but he tucked into with it great enjoyment.
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Ready for the off! Tom and Lily were cosy and cute in the matching Aran cardigans my mum made for them. She's currently making one for Emma too..matching Podlings, how adorable!
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We wandered around the stalls and just enjoyed seeing the Christmas wares. We didn't buy much because everything was grossly overpriced. We have visited the Christmas markets in Germany many times and know how much things actually cost over there. We are sure to go to Germany again, so we just refused to pay the inflated prices.

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Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas market
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Tom enjoying his pretzel

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We enjoyed a tea of German sausage and chips (I had cheese sausage...yum!) and then Mark took Lily on the merry go round. Lily was desperate to get on the ride as soon as she saw it and we had real trouble getting her to eat her tea first. I suffer from motion sickness and there was no way on Earth I was going on the merry go round, so the lot fell to Mark. It was quite funny to see their contrasting countenances as they passed us each time on the ride. Lily was beaming from ear to ear and Mark looked rather like he'd like to throw up thank you very much! That's what makes Mark such a good father. He knew he'd hate it, but he took Lily on anyway because she wanted it so much. Love that man!
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Emma really enjoyed watching the carousel

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Lily LOVED the merry go round!

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We had a lovely time, but the cold did get too much for the Podlings in the end. Tom really doesn't handle being cold well and wasn't at all happy until we got back in the warm. We did enoy ourselves in spite of the cold and came home feeling nicely festive, if tired. It's not quite the same as actually being in Germany though, so perhaps next year we'll just go there instead!.

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