Christmas Day 2009

The kids woke nice and early at 5.30am in our bed, after both sneaking in overnight sometime. As soon as Grace's eyes were open she was begging to go out and see if Santa had been, but as we were going to wait for the Fil to come before presents were opened, it was a long wait in the bedroom amusing 2 very excited and anxious children.

We mucked around on the bed, reading books and trying to take some family shots. It was absolute torture though for all of us, especially for Grace and Xav who, after building up the anticipation of Christmas Day, were desperate to rip into some paper.

A quick call was made to Poppy, with the kids insisting that he got here pronto! He turned up just before 7am, where 2 bumbling children met him at the door jittering with excitement. We headed outside, where Santa's footprints made their way from the front gate to the front door, with bits of snow scattered around. The kids ran around the front for a bit, each taking turns to step in the footprints. We checked that the bowl of water that had been left out for the reindeer's had been drunk, and then headed inside to check if Santa had finished off his home-made shortbread and OJ and that the reindeer's had all had a munch on the carrot.

Then it was straight into the marathon present opening. It started off nice and slow, with only one person opening one present at a time. Somehow, it all sped up until it it was just a flurry of wrapping paper, presents and excitement.

The kids opened all the Grandparents presents first, and once again they went completely over board. I actually think Wendy and Trevor bought more than us and Santa combined! The main present from them to the kids were an organ for Grace and a drum set for Xav. Now this is a slight sore point for me, as I was intending on getting a bongo drum for Xav. However, they found this little drum kit which they thought Xav would love and just had to have it for him. Then I'm guessing they looked around for the second most annoying present they could find, and bought that for Grace.

Now, I'm all for musical things for the kids BUT both of these require no musical participation at all. It's just a matter of turning them on, pressing a button and letting them do there own thing. The drums do not make any reasonable noise, just a disgusting mixture of clanging and thumping. The organ, whilst can be made to sound ok, doesn't most of the time. Adding to the lovliness of it is that it comes with its very own and very loud microphone. So not only to I have to listen to the constant cringing sounds coming from the cymbals, I get to listen to undecipherable noises coming from the microphone. You think a 2 y/o and 4 y/o are annoying with their whinging and whining? Well just imagine what its like turned up a few decibels and being screeched from cheap distortion.

Yes, the kids like them. Yes, they have fun. Yes, they are 'musical' and therefore have some ounce of something beneficial. BUT THEY ARE BLOODY ANNOYING.

After 1 day they were confiscated from constant fighting. I don't know whether to encourage hard play and therefore destruction of the cheap plastic or just go for over-play and hope the novelty wears of VERY damn quick. Regardless, I know exactly what the Il's are getting for all future presents. A recording of a lovely 'recital' of the children, with strict instructions to play it constantly ALL DAY, and see how long they stay sane.

Anyway, enough ranting. Back onto Christmas Day.

Nanny made up little bon-bons for the kids that she had filled with all kinds of loot. There were lip glosses, nail polish and hairbands for Grace, cars for Xav, gold coin chocolates, lollipops, balloons and a harmonica. The were a huge hit with the kids and all the edible goodies have been put into containers, ready to be rationed out. A lollipop each did get through security and was enjoyed before breakfast though.

~~Xav and all his presents~~

~~Grace and all her presents~~

Santa bought Grace a little wooden dolls bed, a ukelele and a stocking stuffed with special food treats. We bought her some paints and books. Xav got from Santa a wooden balance bike, a new set of plastic gold clubs and the stuffed stocking. I had also taken the kids out seperately to buy a special present for each other. Xav picked out a tin tea-set from Aldi for Grace, which has been a huge hit. Grace bought Xav a totem tennis, which we have set up outside and they are both having a blast playing with it.

We had a lovely indulgent breakfast of chipolatas, bacon and freshly layed eggs. I'd given myself Christmas Day off worrying about what went in my mouth, so needless to say it was chocked full of crap for most of the day.

After having a quick play with the toys it was onto our venue for Christmas Lunch. Presents were exchanged between the kids, and once again they were all completely spoilt. Although the adults don't generally do gifts for each other, I was very spoilt with a bonus gift from both the Truets and the Dews. The Dew had given us early this week 2 large pots to go at the front door, and each on was planted a Jade Tree. It's a running joke that out family is now referred to as "New Money" after our win on Lotto, and the jade pants fits in with this theme as it is commonly referred to as a money tree. Grace is running around telling everyone that we have 2 money trees out the front, I guess when you are just 4, money really does grow on trees.

My other bonus present was a pair of tights, which I've only recently discovered ARE the most comfortable things around. Also there was a hair curling product that is just fantastic, and finally my flyaway curls are being reigned in. Nicole's has been nagging me for ages to buy both of these things, and must of got sick of me putting it off so bought them for me. I'm stoked with both!

After the presents were all opened it was onto the big feast. The kids were set up on the small table, but after about 5 mins of rattiness it was decided that the excitement of the day was all a little much for them and they were all offloaded to bed. The adults all got to sit down in peace and eat, and although it was a little strange without the chatter and giggles of the little people, it was lovely to eat civilised.

Nicole and I were on a quest to fill our bellies with as much non-weight watchers approved food as possible. I filled up on truffles, nuts, lollies - and that was before lunch even started!!! The turkey roast lunch was just beautiful, followed by lots of yummy decadent dessert, which the rich chocolate ripple cake was my absolute favourite.

The rest of the afternoon was spent lazing around, and waiting for kids to wake so we could head downstairs and try not to sink to the bottom of the pool with all the extra weight. The Dad's and kids all went in, whilst the Mums cheered and watched from the sidelines. Grace has only just started swimming by herself with just a noodle, but lo and behold Xav has decided that whatever she can do, he can do too. So this week he has been able to swim by himself, just holding onto a noodle. Now, I know that the noodles keep them up, but still it is very impressive that he has the skills to balance and keep himself afloat and not fall off. He absolutely loves his new found freedom in the pool, kicking and getting himself around the whole pool. He can even get himself to the side now and climb out totally unassisted, which also needs a lot of strength.

We all hung around for dinner, and ate up copious amounts of leftovers that were topped up by the Cahills who joined us in the afternoon. The kids all played and tried to expel the candy-cane induced sugar high, before bath-time, into Pj's and taken home.

It was a fantastic day. Lots of fun and excitement, with not stress - Perfect.

~~Crazy photo of everyone, except poor Lucie is only half there~~