Well, Christmas has come and gone for another year but hopefully for all there will be lots more to come.
I know I have been very remiss in keeping this site up to date even though I keep telling myself that I must add to it.
But back to Christmas 2016.
The family was up bright and early and sure enough Santa Claus had made a brief stop at the Neelin house. Not only did Santa leave much pleasure behind but also the gift exchange between all of us. Hareth is still a little in awe or agog of what Christmas is all about and, I think, a little difficulty in understanding the "I would like for Christmas," the shopping and then the secrecy around the stashing away for presents until the 25th.
For some reason Heather thought that it would be a good idea if we all had pyjamas to wear on Christmas Day. So the little seamstress got to work and made five sets of matching pajama bottoms and then bought 5 t-shirts that were the first gifts that we opened. After all the gifts were opened and everyone had their morning shower the pj's were donned and only taken off at bed-time. A great fun way to spend Christmas Day.
A family tradition has been that the Grinch leaves presents. In the past it was always socks and underwear! The reason for that was because whenever the kids asked what dad wanted for Christmas he would always say. socks and underwear. Ah dad something real! So the Grinch gave everyone socks and underwear. Part of that tradition has died out, the socks and underwear part, now the Grinch leaves homemade soap. And the best, as in the past, always goes to his pal Bill.
Hareth received a Garmin Vivoactive HR Smartwatch which comes with a heart monitor so he had to try it out. After being reassured that it was quite proper to go running on Christmas Day (he does have some learning to do) off he went on a five kilometre run around the neighbourhood. He was quite impressed with the watch as well as his time.
Now that Heather and her family of Hareth and Olivia are here and staying with us our usual days and meals are much larger than when it was just Wendy and I. To expand our Christmas Don and his family enjoy Christmas dinner with us as well. There were quite a few around our little table, Don, Shereene, Mieka, Adrian, Heather, Hareth, Olivia, Wendy and myself. Needless to say the table was not only crowded with people but also laden down with the usual Christmas fare.
Earlier in the month Mieka had suggested that we have a Secret Santa gift exchange and after a bit of discussion it was decided that it was a good idea with a $5.00 limit and the gifts would be opened after dessert on Christmas Day. I made individual name tags for all of us, that way no one could determine who gave them the gift by deciphering the handwriting. It is amazing the gifts that can be bought for under $5. No one was disappointed and everyone enjoyed the gifts they received.
After two games of cards it was time for the "Junior Neelins" to head off home and the rest of us called it a night.
I hope that everyone had as an enjoyable time as we did.
Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year.
I know I have been very remiss in keeping this site up to date even though I keep telling myself that I must add to it.
But back to Christmas 2016.
The family was up bright and early and sure enough Santa Claus had made a brief stop at the Neelin house. Not only did Santa leave much pleasure behind but also the gift exchange between all of us. Hareth is still a little in awe or agog of what Christmas is all about and, I think, a little difficulty in understanding the "I would like for Christmas," the shopping and then the secrecy around the stashing away for presents until the 25th.
For some reason Heather thought that it would be a good idea if we all had pyjamas to wear on Christmas Day. So the little seamstress got to work and made five sets of matching pajama bottoms and then bought 5 t-shirts that were the first gifts that we opened. After all the gifts were opened and everyone had their morning shower the pj's were donned and only taken off at bed-time. A great fun way to spend Christmas Day.
A family tradition has been that the Grinch leaves presents. In the past it was always socks and underwear! The reason for that was because whenever the kids asked what dad wanted for Christmas he would always say. socks and underwear. Ah dad something real! So the Grinch gave everyone socks and underwear. Part of that tradition has died out, the socks and underwear part, now the Grinch leaves homemade soap. And the best, as in the past, always goes to his pal Bill.
Hareth received a Garmin Vivoactive HR Smartwatch which comes with a heart monitor so he had to try it out. After being reassured that it was quite proper to go running on Christmas Day (he does have some learning to do) off he went on a five kilometre run around the neighbourhood. He was quite impressed with the watch as well as his time.
Now that Heather and her family of Hareth and Olivia are here and staying with us our usual days and meals are much larger than when it was just Wendy and I. To expand our Christmas Don and his family enjoy Christmas dinner with us as well. There were quite a few around our little table, Don, Shereene, Mieka, Adrian, Heather, Hareth, Olivia, Wendy and myself. Needless to say the table was not only crowded with people but also laden down with the usual Christmas fare.
Earlier in the month Mieka had suggested that we have a Secret Santa gift exchange and after a bit of discussion it was decided that it was a good idea with a $5.00 limit and the gifts would be opened after dessert on Christmas Day. I made individual name tags for all of us, that way no one could determine who gave them the gift by deciphering the handwriting. It is amazing the gifts that can be bought for under $5. No one was disappointed and everyone enjoyed the gifts they received.
After two games of cards it was time for the "Junior Neelins" to head off home and the rest of us called it a night.
I hope that everyone had as an enjoyable time as we did.
Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year.
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