Never ones for the dull life, the Rookes are growing again. This time we've decided to get a dog. After much heart searching, deliberating, ignoring and avoiding (parents); and much pleading, begging, nudging and cajoling (kids); we've finally relented happily agreed to get a cute furry thing. Exact flavour isn't 100% finalised but likely to be in the ballpark of a spaniel type furball. It's a big decision as taking on the commitment given our lifestyle isn't without it's cost; but overall the benefits definitely will outweigh any hurdles. And the kids were clearly delighted when we told them whilst celebrating our 9th family birthday. In fact, in true Niomi style I don't think she has topped talking about getting a dog since!
One of the many beautiful things about adopting a small person is that every year we get to celebrate a family birthday, which is the day Niomi joined us and our family was fully formed. I think though that this years news topped all other previous birthday presents and we'll be hard pushed to ever beat that again!
And in other Niomi news, whilst Chloe was visiting I managed to sneak a video of her singing. Despite having a beautiful voice, she's normally very resistant to any performance, being put on the spot or sneakily videoed, but Chloe seemed to work some magic and the results were simply lovely. More singing growth please Niomi!
As I emerge from a very frosty start to 2026, its time to pick up the blog once more and have a quick round up of the recent weeks in festive hibernation.
The Southern Rookes arrived on Christmas Eve and we had a lovely Christmas Day of feasting and present opening which included the arrival via Santa of 'Wreck' (or possibly Reck) a rather large toy dog that Niomi transports everywhere. I think he was the highlight of my Christmas as he's given Niomi a greater sense of comfort and confidence in a world that can at times be challenging for her. Well done Santa! And following swiftly on from the big day itself was the arrival of the Dutch contingent to bring much energy and laughter into the mix. Despite my brother being a little unwell, we spent a lovely time sharing quality time with each other which included a meal at the Broadcroft, a great trip to Edinburgh and the giant lanterns at the zoo (joined by the Gurneys), and an enjoyable trip out to see Zootropolis 2. We played many games, ate too much, laughed plenty, finished a jigsaw, drank the odd cocktail, and got plenty of fresh air. The weather was kind and the company wonderful - so all in all another great tick of the Kirkymas box.
Then as the grand company left on 29th, we quickly were back out walking in the frosty air with a variety of friends before a night with our neighbours on the 30th, and then we saw in 2026 in style at Viv and Liams! An epic party from which we returned at 4.30am, with the prize to Niomi for staying up late! Thanks to our hosts for a wonderful night. Never before have I tried to play darts at 3am in the morning after drinking more than advised by any health and safety darts officiandos.
And then it was off we go 2026. There was more walking everyday in the stunning crisp weather. I started to get my body back into shape after its December lull. Work and school started. And then before we knew it Emily was away on the school ski trip to France and my niece Chloe had reappeared to record the Music and Meditation podcast for Radio 3 with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.
So if the first 12 days of 2026 are anything to go by then we are in for a wonderful year and the diary is already getting well booked up. 2025 wasn't my favourite for a variety of reasons but this years started with a bang so let's hope it continues. Happy New Year all! May 2026 be a great one for us all.
After over-Christmasing earlier in the month, we've all managed to find a second wind for some Christmas party action to see us back in the mood for the big day.
I went to a work Christmas party for the first time in many years - and it was a really great laugh. Plenty of drinking and plenty of dancing - pretty much what you'd expect. It involved about half my teams and we rocked Bar Home in the Merchant City till late. But I was glad to be safely tucked up in bed way before midnight (well it started at 3.45pm), having witnessed plenty of Christmas casualties as I walked across Glasgow to the bus. Next up was Tanya for a much more sober, chilly but still joyful affair with her wild wild swimmers to celebrate the Solstice. What better way to do it than a plunge in icy water and a sing song round the fire.
Then it was the kids turn. Niomi had her first sleepover in a very long time with her friend Olive - a really big deal for her and we were delighted that it went well as she was quite nervcited in the build up. They were still awake at 12.45am though - so later than both their parents nights out. Alongside this Emily managed to negotiate us into letting her have 4 friends for a sleepover which was an equally late night of girls giggling away. House full of 8 women and me? I just hid in the bedroom.
Still, much joy has been had in the last few days before Xmas - let's hope our candle hasn't burnt down too early as there is still much joy to come with more Rookes arriving! Bring it on...
Apparently you can have too much of a good thing when it comes to Christmas. Our festive run up this year has seen some Christmas casualties when it’s all got a bit much. The girls have been a little frazzled at times – combination of an end of what is a 4 month school term in Scotland (Emily’s knackered), elf nonsense (they’ve been sent back to Santa for freaking Niomi out), and concerts, parties, Christmas events galore have meant that at times we’ve had to keep things more low key. I mean I love Christmas, but it is a kind of weird time of year. Everything changes and looks different, expectations and excitement levels rise every day (and year on year), sugar levels (and everything Christmas) start peaking earlier and earlier as its 'chocolate for breakfast' month, bedtimes get later and later, and, well, everything just kind of goes a bit wonky. It’s no wonder they get a bit frazzled. But even in a reduced capacity we’ve still experienced Glasgow Green’s Christmas, had stir-up Sunday, ridden the Alpine Coaster in Edinburgh, met up with Ly for my birthday, had a daddy/daughter day out to a slightly sinister Beauty and the Beast, and listened, danced, and sung to endless Christmas classics so it’s acutally not been too low key at all.
And if Christmas wasn’t enough, my personal frustration with the world at the moment is our seeming obsession with being timetabled and booked into slots. This year just seems to have entailed timed slots for everything we want to do and not enough slots to do everything we want. The latest bookable nightmare appears to be Emily’s parents evening when we tried booking 36 hours after it opened and failed to get an appointment for English, Chemistry, Physics, Geography, Design/Tech, History and Modern Studies. I mean this wasn’t tickets for Oasis we were booking – this was parents evening – but apparently there’s not enough slots. If I’d known that all parents had to line up at the school gates and race, with the last one to get to a teacher missing out, I’d have put my trainers on. Honestly at times the world appears to want to schedule me out of existence – its ridiculous. Want happened to spontaneity and flexibility. Rant over.
As your kids grow up they start to find their own way and define themselves. We've always said we have two very different children - Emily is most likely to be found with her head in a book, Niomi pogoing up and down to some very loud music. As parents that creates its own challenges in how to accommodate everyone's needs and wants, and keep both your children happy whilst not leaving either one feeling hard done by. The trial of walking that fine balancing act without driving yourselves nuts in the process.
Post Emily's 13th has seen her exploring new slopes - literally and metaphorically. There's been a trip to see Friends the musical and sleep over with student big cousin Rosie in Glasgow. A trip with me to see Lorde at the Ovo Hydro. And an aborted attempt of a trip to see Hamilton with a friend and Tanya lurking in the shadows. I say abortive as the production was unfortunately cancelled last minute due to cast illness. She's also been preparing for January's school ski trip on the dry slope and hopefully developing her Dad's love of carving through the white stuff. And as she grows into her teen years she increasingly finds herself on new slopes - when she's not collecting books she's finding her sense of self and independence, starting to consider her dreams in this vast world we live in. Oh, and developing a new very dry sense of humour too...
Niomi has been growing up too - she's been snacking us out of house and home and developed a love of expensive fish - sea bass and mackerel fillets from the fish market are her latest. Her soft toy collection is ever expanding with a new acquisition on most shopping trips (mainly second hand). And her daily explorations with Blue the neighbour's dog keep us revisiting the 'shall we/shan't we' dog debate. A big step for any family! And she's recently joined the school choir after much internal debate for years about exploring her singing side more. And whilst Emily continues to glide gently down her own slope, Niomi continues to dramatically zig-zag her way down with many more near misses and much more drama.
Oh the joys of parenthood. Never a dull moment on this endless rollercoaster...
And as the dark evenings begin it's always great to find ways of bringing light into the dark. First up was Halloween and apparently I excelled in being properly scary this year. Personally I thought that was the point, although possibly small children didn't agree? What can a scary monster do... Thanks to Andrew and Sandra for hosting a great Halloween party.
But then with make up washed away it was rapidly on to Emily's birthday and something equally scary - the making of a Teen. Since starting secondary school she's definitely changed significantly - she's discovered make up, fashion, social media big style (mainly Tiktok and Snapchat) and an increasing ability to leave things lying around for her parents to tidy up. Not sure that much has changed since I was a teen although I probably had other things that replaced social media back in the day. All that said she's still the wonderful girl that I've always known and loved - acing school, being lots of fun and increasingly developing a dry sense of humour, and being just an all round amazing human being. She can throw herself into life's river and swim in it's current. It's tremendous watching her grow into a strong young woman.
So to celebrate a few things happened. First her presents pretty much consisted of books (and more books - 12 in fact), experiences (can't wait to be part of some of those) and money for clothes. All the important things for a developing young lady. Then Ly appeared back at the house and we all scooted up to Pitlochry for The Enchanted Forest experience. I was worried that it wouldn't be worth the long drive in the dark but actually it surpassed my expectations and I think we all had a fabulous time. When I escaped the crowds it was even quite contemplative at times which was really nice.
And then finally came the epic Rookenbury party of parties. Thirteen girls for an overnight in a mini festival in the garden in the middle of November - what could possibly go wrong? 6 hours of putting up tents, lights, decorations and ensuring there was a plentiful supply of carbs and sugar available. We got everything looking just so - complete with high quality sound and viewing experience. Note to self though, old LED TV's don't like damp, humid conditions. The weather held up for the night - the girls screamed, giggled, bounced and swung till the early hours and eventually fell to some sort of sleep. Another note to self, even when reminded to make sure the tent is zipped shut they might not remember. So I think it was a roaring success apart from the bucketing rain the next morning, slight puddles from door left open and many forgotten items left behind. Just like the real Glasto actually. Oh yeah.... And the 5 hours of taking tents down and days of trying to dry wet tents in the house. Phew - the things you do.
Happy birthday Emzo - welcome to the teens. Am proud of you every single day.
Cat in the Hat
None child-friendly Halloween
Cruella made me do it
Birthday girl with a small selection of birthday books
