I haven’t been blogging much lately and there is a definite reason why that I will share in due course. For now I wanted to post some photos from Christmas 2007. Sebastian got the big picture probably as far back as 2005 – in other words the excitement of Christmas morning – but this was the first time it really sank in with the trips. Tess already shared about Christmas Eve at church. After the kids were in bed we placed presents beneath the tree and stockings on the sofa. I must admit, this year I was very organised with almost not last minute shopping or wrapping. Tess and I were in bed in good time and this was the scene. The little elf has been in my family for decades. I think he and his fellow companions, still in Toronto with my dad’s Christmas ornaments, first debuted when we were in The Bahamas for Christmas when I was six years old. My sisters and I were forewarned by our parents not to expect much when we woke up Christmas morning because we were all packed aboard a very small sailboat. But wow… I’ll never forget waking up to find my parents had decorated the inside of the boat with ornaments and all sorts of little presents and stockings waiting for us! Meanwhile, here are some pics of Christmas morning. At left the kids sit on the sofa just prior to opening their stockings.

Here the girls enjoy drawing in some new books and also try their hand at putting make-up on… I think that’s Cinderella underneath all the layers. Poor thing looked a mess by the end of the effort. Tess and the girls ended up "giving her a bath." A fun way to clean=up (read diversion), of course!

Jasper sports his new Buzz Lightyear costume – I think he’ll need six months to grow into the outfit but in the interim was willing to share with Sebastian – while Sela and Carys show-off their new pink tutus. The girls were thrilled with this present since they have a book called "Pink Tutus" that they absolutely love. It was as if the book had suddenly come to life for them.

The girls continue to show-off their pink tutus, accessorised by some gifts from Aunty Penny in Toronto: fairy wings, tiaras and magic wands. They were absolutely thrilled and also play "back-up" to Jasper after he received his new guitar. JJ will definitely turn out gifted in the musical area. He loves to sing and this present – inspired by Tantalising Tess – was probably the most favoured present he has ever received ins hi life. He likes to sleep with it!

Finally, last but not least, Tess admires a gift from Sebastian that he proudly made at school. For the remainder of the day Tess and I prepared for some friends to come for dinner: four adults and eight kids. Great time was had by all! I know these are from a month ago but was it worth the wait?