It's Christmas time...

I can't believe that the year 2009 is already winding down to its end and this might well be my last post for the year. The year end seems to have come around so quickly this year - a sure sign that I'm starting to get old!

In our household, Christmas has been in full swing for weeks. Jake is just so excited about it this year and I can't wait to share it with him. So, the shopping's done and the gifts are wrapped and I'm feeling quite organised this year around. Fingers crossed that I haven't forgotten anyone off my list...

Our offices are closing up from today until the New Year and I'll be back behind my PC on Monday 4 January 2010. We're spending Christmas Eve and Christmas day with my family this year, since the in laws have gone camping for a few weeks and have decided to stay there for the holidays. We're having an early braai at my Rosanne & Gareth's and tomorrow we have friends and family joining us for a traditional Christmas lunch at home. No doubt that, by this time tomorrow, the presents will have been unwrapped and opened and we'll already be busy with the cooking and cleaning.

Next week, we're planning on joining the in laws for a few nights of camping, probably until 2 Jan. Jake is really looking forward to that; I'm not the world's greatest camper, I prefer my home comforts and I don't like bugs and spiders, but like I said, Jake can't wait. There are quite a few people going this year too, including my very special friend Jacki, so it should be nice and festive.

As always, I'll end off with some snaps of what what we've been up to over the last few weeks (sorry I've been so quiet, things have just been totally off the wall busy at work)...

Jake had 2 advent calendars this year. The first one (top) I bought him for his 3rd Christmas and the Ben 10 one below comes from Sandi when she visited from the UK last month...Traditionally, we put our Christmas tree up on the 16th (don't ask me why, anyone else do it on this day? I thought it had to be 12 days before Christmas, which should have been the 13th. We've always been told it's bad luck to put it up early or late, so have stuck to the 16th. I've googled it and have come to the conclusion that we simply put our tree up on the 16th, because that's what my mom's family did when she was a kid and because the 16th's always a public holiday here. Reconciliation Day, right?), but this year we opted to rather put it up on the 15th as my folks were going to be out for the whole day on the 16th. So far, no bad luck in sight. Also wondering who opts for real vs fake trees. Jacques and I always went real and I've heard that it's more environmentally friendly to have a real tree, but my parents have always had a fake tree and I do like it's simplicity and neatness...

Duracell wanted to be in on the action when we were putting up the tree. By the way, for those who are interested, he's doing very well after his surgery and is walking on his leg more and more. I can't believe how long it's taken for him to heal...Jake came home with an entire bag of Christmas decorations this year. Here's his angel, which took prize spot at the top of our tree this year. Please forgive me for his filthy arms, it was late at night and for those of you who don't have boys, they're this dirty at most bath times; means they've had a good day exploring their world...up she goes...And later, our tree all lit up...Jo and Paul have a dinner at their house every year just before Christmas. This year they had it on the 18th. As usual, it was a brilliant spread, Jo worked so hard and and totally out did herself (again) this year. we all rolled out the front door far too late. Connor slept through the whole thing...The next night was Uncle Paul's Christmas party at Groot Constantia. We were out in full force this year, my cousins had managed to get the same night, so they were all their with their families, including my mom's sister and a few other 'grown-ups'. We got there quite early this year and were on the 3rd tractor going up. It was quite a full party this year, so it was nice to be able to run around a little before the crowds arrived...Jake doesn't believe in doing things in small measure. Go large or go home...I'm pretty much like an over-grown 5 year old at these things (as are some other parents). There's me getting ready to chuck straw in Jake's face... Oh and there's my mom getting me back. She's another of those over-grown kids. Seriously though, you have no idea how much straw I had in my pants when I got home. It was uncomfortable, but rather that then sit in the stands and just watch. It was heaps of fun... Of course, Jake gets nailed along the way, but he loves it. Last year he was irritated with the straw down his shirt, this year it didn't worry him too much...And don't feel too sorry for him. He gives as good as he gets...

And he has so much fun along the way...

The clean stands. Here are my in laws and Rose & Gareth...

There's me looking for Jake. Yes, he's standing right behind me, fighting with Mr Plodd...

After the straw fight, the Salvation Army marching band arrived. That's Jacques' cousin's "kid" in the background, by the way. Uncle Paul's party has been going for 54 years this year and two of the guys in the band have been to every single party since it's start... Jake meeting Uncle Paul...I know it's a shocking picture, but Noddy and the clowns arrived after the band. I wish you could see better how young Noddy was...I totally forgot to take more pictures of Noddy and Company, because I was too busy enjoying my ice cream that they brought for everyone. It's funny how a wafer ice cream is probably the one I'd avoid most in the stores, but I so enjoy it at Uncle Paul's...Next up were Christmas Carols, which were sung way too quickly and then it was time to let Father Christmas know that we were ready for him to come. We blew the magic lights out... And he appeared...Jake couldn't wait to meet him only when he collected his gift...Blowing the lights out for the fairy (excuse my child's top. Jacki gave me some hand-me-downs from her son Steven and Jake loves this one the most. I have never been a wrestling fan and have avoided these tops until now, but he loves it and I am grateful for the extra clothes - kids grow far too quickly and each season means a new wardrobe)... Jake & my cousin's son, Dylan, waiting for their names to be called... Finally, it was Jake's turn. His gift was the green one. The other gifts you can see are the end of the queue and he was starting to panic that he hadn't cleaned his room up quickly enough earlier that day...Finally!! A cuddle from Santa...This is the fairy who brings the kids magic sweets...Jake was so thrilled with his gift - 3 new Bakugan (if you are interested, click here) and went home a very happy little man...

Lastly, I hope that you all have a happy and safe Christmas. Enjoy the festivities and take lots and lots of photos! Looking forward to catching up on all your news in the New Year!

Lots of love and best wishes to you all, Sue XXX