A Homey Christmas

Our Christmas tree

The culmination of chasing blazing trails of Christmas trees and fairy lights, of exuberant anticipation, of a laid-back holiday mood spanning 1.5 months is finally here. This is the best time of the year. And the most uplifting season of all.

We spent a very rainy Christmas Eve in a most quiet and peaceful mien, befitting its synonym of "Silent Night". Plenty of bonding with the Bees, with a profusion of cuddling and tranquil reading, as well as informal singing of Christmas carols with lyrics found online. Big Bee managed to memorise 2 full Christmas songs - "Jingle Bells" and "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer".

Christmas Day was spent with friends over a cheery lunch gathering at our place. PF, Eliz and LP came with the kids, arms full of presents for every kid. The present exchange at the end of the party was every kid's favourite moment. All their eyes lighted up like the twinkly lights on Christmas trees. Something about colourfully wrapped up presents imbued a certain exhilaration and pure excitement in kids...even adults! The mystery and enthrallment of what lies beneath those thin wrapping papers.

We had the usual delectable potluck - PF brought a succulent roast turkey, LP lugged 2 big boxes of mouth-watering and divine chicken pies, Eliz cooked a whole tub of juicy fish nuggets and I simply contributed practical fried rice to fill our stomachs and a dessert wine to awaken our senses! A gathering of close friends is never complete without huddling around the dining table, gossiping and chatting over scrumptious food and sweet wine!

The kids had a funner time catching up, chasing each other, playing quietly alongside each other over toys and Wii games.

All the kids hanging out together, entranced by Wii...


...except for foodie Little Bee who sat apart from them, tending to her bowl of grapes!


LP's boys jostling over Big Bee's scooter during outdoor play

After the party had dispersed, the Bees busied themselves unwrapping all the presents. Big Bee was highly expressive, exclaiming over every single present and declaring "Christmas is WONDERFUL!". She was ecstatic that she received 2 presents from Santa Claus, whereas Little Bee only had 1 present from him, claiming Santa was probably frowning on Little Bee's Terrible Twos' tantrums, with difficulty in learning to share. Little Bee had started showing signs of understanding the beautiful concept of presents, and busied her little tender hands tearing open her presents and examining with a furrowed brow every present in full detail right after opening it.

Very busy Bees in a sea of wrapping paper and presents!

Merry Christmas to all :)