Brisbane, QLD


Thursday, December 26, 2013

THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS WITH CHILDREN

This is the first Christmas that we have celebrated with children for about 30 years so it was a wonderful experience. We flew from Brisbane to Victoria to be with our daughter's husband's family. There were four families with children and two sets of grandparents. they were celebrating Christmas in their beach house at Rye on the Mornington Peninsula. We opted to stay in a quiet B&B but on Christmas morning we drove the few blocks to be at the house before the children opened their presents. Santa had left 8 sacks under the tree for the 8 children. The children were still in their rooms waiting for us and the other parents to wake.
 Fox was first out to see what Santa had left, but he wasn't allowed to touch anything until all the parents were up.

 All the children had to line up from the youngest to the eldest to get their sack.  Arlo (15mths) is the youngest, then Banjo (20 mnths) who ran out of the line as I took this shot. He had no idea what was going on. Then there was Fox (3), Freddy (6), Ella (8), Jimmy (12), Lachlan (13) and Georgia (14). (All the cousins)

 The parents helped the younger ones open their presents. Sonya helped Banjo. Fox loved his cars.

 The little beach house was bouncing with glee as children, parents and grandparents joined in the merriment of Christmas with little ones.

Santa couldn't fit Jimmy's drum set or Freddie's guitar under the tree, he had to leave them in the back shed.

This was a traditional Aussie Christmas. After opening gifts everyone goes outside to play cricket. Toddlers, teenagers and parents all join in. It is usually in the back yard but here they use the quiet street.

"Owzat!" I know very little about cricket but I think this is what they say when someone gets out. Our little American born grandson learning to be an Aussie.

 Then it is down to the beach to play.

 The children all get a ride in the boat and then the big boys go out to catch fish and dive for scallops.

 The young boys make wet sand balls to play at batting with later.

The girls play with the little ones in the sand.

 Then it is time to return home to prepare and devour Christmas lunch in the back yard. We had a mixture of traditional and Aussie lunch. Prawns, Turkey, Pork, and a variety of salads.

 Plum pudding, custard, pavlova and ice cream for dessert.

 As the sun starts to set it is Kris Kringle time where family gifts are given out by Grandpa Neville as Santa and his two helper elves, Jimmy and Freddy.

The day was full of hugs, laughter, giving, eating, drinking, playing in the sun, carols and church service.

22 comments:

  1. it looks to be the perfect Christmas for everyone Dianne; you will drive back home with happy memories

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  2. Wow, that pav looks awesome!!! I know a lot of big 'kids' who were hanging out for Santa sacks as well!!! Looks like a perfect day!!

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  3. That's a pretty Aussie Christmas in my book. I guess the food was a bit of a joint effort.

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  4. What a fun idea, the gifts in sacks! I didn't know it was done that way in Australia. I can sure see why the drum set wouldn't fit.
    And that lunch. Wow! What a wonderful Christmas spread.
    Extra special, of course, to have Fox and Banjo in Australia. I'm so happy for you.
    K

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  5. Looks like you had a fabulous time.

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  6. Chidren make Christmas so special. Yours was a very different one to mine here but nevertheless i enjoyed it very much.

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  7. A good Australian Christmas, Diane.
    The food sounds lovely and looks nice.
    I expect you had a wonderful day with your grandchildren..

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  8. What a wonderful Christmas tradition! Wish we could have been with you. Xxx

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  9. Diane, it is special to enjoy Christmas with the children!! Looks like you and your family had a great Christmas day. Lots of presents, food and good times. Wonderful photos, Fox and Banjo are cuties! Enjoy the rest of your week!

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  10. every photo screams joy joy joy... thanks for sharing your most wonderful time of the year. loved every minute of it...

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  11. It looks like a marvelous Christmas was had by all! Here, too. Many family and friends for the big traditional Christmas dinner (I think the head count was 28?) and children running everywhere! Laughing, happy, messy....our traditional Christmas day. So happy to see snapshots of yours! What beautiful, beautiful children.

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  12. Wow ! what a wonderful Christmas you had ! To see you all so happily and relax is so nice ! The idea of one sack per child is great. Our living room looked like a toy shop, lol !

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  13. Diane, a beautiful Christmas for everyone to remember.
    Happy New Year and all the best for 2014. Good health, good food and good company.

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  14. Yes children do make the Christmas season so bloody special, and we have lots of children in my family.

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  15. What a brilliant Christmas Day Diane.. you're right, watching the youngsters open their pressie is such fun! Love all the family interaction during the day also. I don't need to say hope you had a great Christmas, I can see that you did :)

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  16. What a wonderful celebration! Because of the weather, quite different from mine. So nice you got to enjoy your grandchildren for the holiday and spend so much time with them this year. There is nothing like little children to make Christmas lively!

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  17. OH what a wonderful Christmas you had with all the children! And time at the beach. Your summer christmas at the beach takes me back to the years when we lived south of the equator. :-) And the Pavlova looks delicious! An Australian friend made that for me when she came to visit a few years ago.

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  18. Well it is obvious you all had a fabulous time. There is nothing quite like Christmas through a child's eyes.

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  19. It looks like a wonderful Christmas with your family and your son-in-law's family, Diane! Children do make it "merry and bright"! I'm glad your were able to share this one with your grandsons. :)

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  20. What a wonderful way to spend Christmas Day.

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