Vlogmas: a YouTube Christmas Special [YouTube]

Day 16

On the sixteenth day of Vlogmas, YouTube gave to me:

All Hail The Glitters (Louise Pentland [sprinkleofglitter])

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There's nothing quite like being woken up by a toddler the morning after a wild party. Darcy chirps "Wakey, wakey!" outside your door like the most cheerful little bird in all creation before Matt can quiet her. You have to smile.

Then you promptly leap out of bed and stumble into the en suite toilet to regurgitate the entire contents of your stomach.

When you finally compose yourself enough to emerge from your guest-room cave, Louise doesn't look much better than you feel. She's sitting in her office, scooting an English muffin back and forth across her plate and scrolling Instagram. She didn't bother to take her eye makeup off last night, either.

You plop down on the sofa. "Why didn't you stop me?" you groan.

She sighs. "I could ask you the same. Sorry about Darcy, by the way. Toddlers don't quite grasp the concept of hangovers." Louise sets down her mobile. "D'you feel up to having a lie-in self-pamper day and then doing a bit of shopping while Darcy is at play group?"

You let your eyes slide closed. "That sounds marvellous."

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Lazy days with Louise are always so lovely. She's just the right balance of laid back without being too dull, so although the day is quite chill, you're never bored, either, and when Darcy's play group is cancelled last-minute, you've both been so rejuvenated by the restful day that you decide to take her to the park.

"Ooh, this is lovely. Let's take a picture, yeah?" Louise asks when the three of you step outside, Darcy in her pushchair and the lot of you bundled up in coats. You and Lou crouch down next to Darcy and coax a broad smile out of her. The final photo Louise snaps looks absolutely adorable. You gush unashamedly looking at it.

"This is just such a good day," you sigh happily, pushing Darcy while Louise walks next to you, preparing the Instagram post. "I feel like you probably get annoyed of me saying this, but I really love spending time with you, Louise."

Louise squeals a little bit and gives you a squish. "You just melt my heart right out of my chest!"

All this affection is making you embarrassed all of a sudden, and apparently Darcy is uncomfortable as well, for she chooses this moment to set up a squall to raise the dead. Her mum sighs almost inaudibly before crouching down to check on her fidgeting baby.

The three of you keep walking towards the park despite Darcy's crying in hopes that the playground there would magically fix all of her woes, and sure enough, as soon as she catches sight of the giant plastic tower, the whining miraculously ceases. Louise lets her out of the pushchair and Baby Glitter is off like a shot, clambering onto the toy and stomping about in excitement. You follow more slowly, grinning as you watch the frankly adorable display of sheer joy on Darcy's part. It isn't long before she catches sight of you and you become a part of her play; she's the little Glitter Queen-To-Be, politely demanding that you push her on the swing or let her jump into your arms from the top step of the plastic castle a million times or help her do the monkey bars or generally just aid in her make-believe games. Louise keeps giving you apologetic eyes, but you don't mind so much. You can think of a lot worse things than being First Pawn to the Glitter Princess Darcy.

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Everyone returns home tired, but happy. Darcy has a quick dinner and then goes straight to bed, but not before making sure she gets a goodnight hug from you. Once she's down for the evening, you, Louise, and Matt settle down and chat in the lounge. You help Lou wrap presents and 19 Kids and Counting plays in the background. The kittens play cutely with the wrapping paper and are more than happy to cuddle with you. It's pretty much the perfect way to wind down what has already been a wonderful, relaxing day. You feel so filled up with all these good feelings, like you just want to proclaim it from the mountaintops: All hail the glorious Glitters, whose name shall be known throughout all the land for their unmatched hospitality and general perfection in all areas!

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A/N:

Happy first day of Hanukkah ^__^

Happy Christmas
virtues