Joy to the World ... is our kids at Christmas

Joining us this Christmas were Nanoo, Corin (aka Uncle Monsieur) and Yin. I love the way we celebrate Christmas. It all starts with the stockings first thing in the morning. Henry was very pleased his stocking contained his most coveted present - a chocolate Santa. We followed stockings with a champagne breakfast, which this year coincided with a visit from Santa himself. At first, Milly wasn't too sure of Santa but cheered up when she realised she could play and tug at his beard.

Next we all sit around the Christmas tree ready to receive our gifts with Corin acting as the present hander-outerer. This year Henry was his eager little helper. One at a time we all take turns in opening a present so we can all "ooh" and "aah" at everyone's booty. It was nice to see Henry enjoying being a gift giver and having fun watching others getting presents, instead of just wanting all the presents to himself. He is our little angel. Milly wasn't too sure what was going on but she was in heaven with all the paper to play with, rip up and slobber on.

By late morning, Henry had exhausted himself with opening presents that he refused to open anymore and left a few unopened under the tree. He just wanted to play with what he had and play he did. The poor lad was nackered and got a bit upset when it was time for his midday nap.

With the kids in bed it was time for us adults to relax and have lunch and get stuck into the wine.

Post-lunch we are stuffed. Henry gets up from his nap and opens the last of his presents. It's time to play again.

With the day coming to an end I survey our lounge room - it looks trashed. We have been hit by a Christmas torneado. Wrapping paper, boxes, presents everywhere. Looking at the amount of gifts the kids get I start to wonder where the hell we are going to put it all in our small flat.

And now with Christmas over, Henry has started pretending he is Santa. He puts on his Santa hat and says "Hello Mum. Present?". He then gets one of his toys and gives it to me as a present from Santa. Yes, he is our little angel.

Ho Ho Come?

Christmas is great for kids. I remember loving the anticipation of Christmas morning. I would go to bed early on Christmas Eve (it had to always be before midnight, otherwise Santa wouldn't come - this is something I still do) excited about getting my stocking and eating all the chocolates and lollies in it. I would wake my brother Corin, or he would wake me, and we would compare stockings. Then we would race out to the lounge room and look under the tree at all the different sized presents. We would never open them straight away, instead we would wait for Mum and Dad to get up. When we could wait no longer we would wake them ourselves to get the day rolling.

Now with children of my own, this year I am loving watching Henry enjoy Christmas. This is the first year he really understands what's going on. His and Milly's stockings are hanging up in their bedroom, the tree is up and Henry likes to turn the tree lights on, the two Playgroups he attends have both had Christmas parties, he met Santa at Luna Park when Michael's work held its annual kids Christmas do, we've been to a Carols night in Manly, and now whenever a present is put under the tree Henry asks "Ho Ho Come?".

So when Ho Ho does eventually come, I'm not sure who will be more excited - Henry or me.

Milly at Playgroup.

Henry stroking a baby chicken at Playgroup.

Resembling a little old lady on the bus, here is Milly clutching onto her Santa bag courtesy of the kids Christmas party at Luna Park - an annual party held by Michael's work.

The Snip

Michael has cut Henry's hair. Goodbye Goldilocks. Hello young Master Henry. No more sweaty head, or brushing hair out of his eyes. No more being mistaken for a girl at the playground. No more tears when it comes combing out tangles. No more cutie pie. Henry now looks like a little boy rather than a toddler. Suddenly he seems more grown up. It's only been two days since "the snip" and still I look at him and wonder who the stranger is in our home. I don't recognise him.

Oh yeah, I got a my hair cut to (and no, Michael didn't do it).