Oh my, Christmas is coming...

The festive season is basically upon us. It seems to have snuck up on me this year. And, while I started Christmas shopping in October and feel like I have things mostly under control, there are still a few odds and sods that will have me trailing around shopping centres at the last minute. I just know it...

The festive feeling is definitely in the air - besides Jake's school Christmas party, I've also had my office party, which was really good fun. We went off to Mojolena, which is part of Madame Zingara - the food was delicious and we all over indulged. They serve the same food as Madame Zingara and also have live entertainment (lady singers for our party), but they don't do the whole circus act thing. Madame Zingara's Theater of Dreams is currently in London and by the sounds of things, Mojolena is planning to stick around in Cape Town for good. Might be a nice idea for a dinner club party sometime.

So the office Christmas dinner was last week Friday and Saturday was my book club Christmas party. We booked a picnic at Nitida, which was divine, close to home and a really great way to relax with the girls.

Sunday was my good friend, Jacki's birthday and she took a group of us out to Moyo (http://www.moyo.co.za/)at Spier for lunch. It was unbelievably hot, so we drank more water then wine (sadly). I'd never been to Moyo before and really enjoyed it. The food was good and there was no rush in us getting done, so we were able to take good breaks in between plate fulls, which is always nice. So, happy birthday to Jacki, I hope that you have a wonderful year! Thanks for all you do for me, you're an amazing support and I don't quite know where I'd be without you!

After lunch, I met my parents, in-laws and child at De Grendal for Christmas Carols and a picnic (I still managed to eat after my enormous lunch). It was the perfect way to end my crazy weekend.

This weekend is set to be slightly quieter and, since next Tuesday is a public holiday here, next week should start to slow down a bit at work too. Today, Jake's got a party and later, this evening, we have our dinner club Christmas party. My parents have been a huge help with looking after Jake, so that I could get out and about lately and I'm looking forward to having a bit more time with him this weekend. Speaking of the little man, he has a serious list for Santa this year. The poor old man is going to have to make 4 trips back to the North Pole to get all Jake's gifts. Seriously, Jake's going to make Santa bankrupt... Where was I? Tonight - Jake & the folks are going to watch The Polar Express while I'm out, a great Christmas movie, if you're looking for one. Tomorrow I have no plans and Jake is going to be with Karen (probably wrap presents - something I don't want to be doing on Christmas Eve again). We're probably going to take a drive into town tomorrow night to see the Christmas lights up Adderley Street again. We're making this a Christmas tradition and will be picking up coffee/hot chocolates at McDonalds on our way. On Monday night (that's only 4 sleeps away), we're going to Uncle Paul's Party - I CAN'T wait for that. On Tuesday our tree goes up and then Christmas is really here.

Have to run, it's nearly time for me to go home. Whoo-hoo!!

Mojolena...

I work with this nut. His name's Simon and he's promised Jake that hat. That's Madame Zingara's signature dish, by the way - chocolate chili steak. Oh and by the way, it's also tradition at MZ, that you get a hat to wear when you walk in the door. Generally, the waiters swap hats between guests, which is pretty disgusting. Mojolena has a shop selling hats, so you get to wear your own hat without sharing...

From left to right: Simon, his wife Sam, Brad (one of the partners), his date Mundy (weird name, I know), me, Daine dressed like Britney Spears, Steve, Eddy (the other partner), Eddy's wife Ingi and Penny (the angel who works afternoons for me)...

Brad being hit on by the maitre'd... we all had a shot out of the bottle, it was GOOD. Fortunately, we didn't all get the leg treatment. Penny got a lap dance though... And things just got silly after that... I'm not posting all the photos of me in different hats - you can look me up on facebook for that...Our book club Christmas party at Nitida. Left to right: Jo (check that belly), Andrea, Lauren, Wendy, Ciska, Belinda, Sam and Greer...

Carols by Candlelight - Jake & my mom...

Jake & I getting into the swing of things...

Lots of love XXX