Wizardry and Witchcraft at Haddo

After more doggo shennanigans - rescuing Sam's pants and my socks from the puppy's jaws; laughing at the puppy's full on crush on Max and Beth - we headed off out to Haddo House with the McComiskies for the Haddo Christmas goodies fest.

But little did we know it was actually the Christmas Art and (Witch)Craft Fayre with an appearance from Hagrid (Beefy), the Goblet of Fire (the urn at the top of the hill), some Butterbeer (Latte), fantastic beasts (signets) and Hogwarts-hallworthy feasts (Mrs Smith's), not least the one and only philosophers stone (a steen!) and even the golden snitch (a curled up autumn leaf). The McComiskie gals are at the glorious age when Harry Potter is still magically fresh; they spent most of the walk deciding their favourite teacher, pupil and pet - and everything that falls inbetween - from Harry's world. They also decided, early doors, that Dave and Elaine are actually pretty rubbish names as it happens and decreed that "Dobot" and "Dobot's Wife" suited us much better. I think the names might stick, although the original "Duncle Dave" moniker courtesy of his nieces and nephew is hard to beat.

Today was another milestone for us oldie parents, as we met up with friends and their kids without our own. Our teenage scamps were with friends in town doing their own thing. I guess we have officially reached the abandoned parent stage.

As I write, the fireworks are going off all around, while the dogs and I hide out in the living room, TV on a bit more loudly, but it's not enough to stop the dogs running scared and Max burrying his head into the sofa.

But the good news is Sam has finished his draft self reflective essay for his English Portfolio. Write what you know they say, so he wrote about his time at Bennachie and how it changed him. Yeehaa!