Christmas Day Lunch

Christmas Day Lunch was hosted by Nick's sister and what a fine job she did! A beautiful table (above) but first, delicious seafood nibblies;

We gathered around the tree...

and exchanged presents;

The girls liked (even said they 'loved') their pillowcases;

It was hot, so after opening their presents, the littlies wanted to test out their new pool toys. Nanny got them boogie-boards and water soakers and they were a hit! (literally)

We had a late lunch at the sparkly table;

More Christmas crackers were popped open...

Pink Lemonade was drunk;

And good food was enjoyed;

Bertroot, Snow Pea & Feta Salad

Ham, Roast Potato & Pumpkin and Chicken with stuffing;

And Crispy Noodle and Caesar Salads;

Dessert was...

Amazing!

Nick's Mum made the Three-Tier Brown Sugar Pavlova by Valli Little

Very, very good. Elly had two {big!} servings and still wanted more!

Followed by Coffee and Brownies;

Love the glittery reindeer, walking in the snow! (Nick's Mum definitely knows how to plate up! So, I stole this idea ~ with a twist ~ for a BBQ we had with friends today).

Before we knew it, it was 7pm and that was the end to our wonderful Christmas Day. So much fun, food and festivities. I really wish it could be Christmas everyday!

Christmas Day 2011

It just wouldn't be Christmas without a fruit platter!

Is there anything better than waking up to excited little children on Christmas morning? I loved every second of the day, from the moment the girls found their stockings at the end of their beds and squealing happily, to checking that the reindeers liked their carrot and cucumbers (I only realised at bedtime that we only had 1 carrot, so we made them a salad!), to both of the girls jumping on their new bikes and whizzing around the house.

We had an epic day, celebrating for 10 hours straight, with both sides of our family. Everyone helped to make it beautiful and memorable. Uncle Greg (my younger brother) visited the night before and tinsel-bombed my parents house;

I made a few little things for the table ~ Santa Placecards and Reindeer Noses;

I also made some chocolate truffles, like last year;

My Mum hung 16 miniature wreaths;

Martha Mouse made an appearance;

There were presents galore for the girls;

They are so lucky to have such thoughtful and generous Aunties and Uncles. New dresses, art kits, Zhu-Zhu Pets, personalised books and for my little monster-loving daughter;

Elly absolutely loves this little play set!

Grandparents seem to know just what they love too;

They will be doted on and loved to bits, for sure!

The girls also got pretend mobile phones (near Elly's foot) and toy cameras. Coupled with their new babies, Livvie excitedly exclaimed, 'Now, I am a real Mum!'. At various times she would stop to snap a picture of her baby, it was so funny. Now I know what I must look like!

My Dad cooked up a big breakfast BBQ, sausages, mushrooms, hash browns and (I love this idea) eggs in capsicum rings;

My favourite part of Christmas Day has always been opening the Christmas Crackers and putting on our silly crowns;

Things did get silly. Uncle Luke (my older brother) went for a ride on his bike...

(It's not really his bike)

And Livvie got a tiny water-gun in her cracker, which she soaked everyone with... especially Uncle Luke!

Daddy too;

And as Elly kept saying, it was 'The Merriest Christmas ever!'

That was our morning. Afternoon festivities to come....

I hope your day was just as Merry!

Christmas at Mimi & Pop's

I thought I would share some Christmas cheer from my parent's house. I took these pictures last week when we were visiting and this is where we will have Christmas breakfast tomorrow morning..

The colours in their house are always a bit Christmas-y;

My Mum has an aversion to real Christmas trees that drop pine needles everywhere. Last year, she had a fibre-optic tree, this year it is ceramic;

The irony is, she has a white Christmas tree that drops crystals all over the table!

Note to Mum: Next year, please get a real tree, then I won't end up with crystal fragments in my lunch like I did last week!

Some red & green...

Around the house...

In a box above the fireplace;

My most favourite little vintage Santa scene!

Santa Salt & Pepper Shakers;

Little Elf on the shelf;

Bobble heads for the grandchildren to play with;

Reindeer by the door...

And of course, the girls favourite... Martha Mouse!

Merry Christmas to you!

Christmas in the City

Last night we took the girls into the city to see the Christmas Tree in Martin Place and afterwards, the Christmas Windows at David Jones...

It was beautiful!

The puppets in each scene are choreographed to Christmas carols. The girls were quite taken with the scene for Silent Night;

But the Little Drummer Boy was definitely my favourite;

I love the tiny mice in front, drumming along too!!!

Six Skirts

This week, I made six little skirts for cousins and friends (ages 2 - 7 years) who we will be seeing at Christmas. Livvie and Elly helped me choose the fabrics based on each little girl's likes and personality ('Chicks for Emily, because she has chickens in her backyard' and 'Bubbles for Chelsea, because she likes playing with the bubble wand' and so on)

The skirts are so simple; a piece of fabric folded lengthwise, hemmed and an elastic waistband. For some, I added a button and ribbon to the top and others I left plain, if I didn't have anything on hand to match.

I had grand plans of making a little lined zippered pouch (tutorial here) to match each one, but it just never happened; this week has been so, so busy!

But tomorrow, Christmas Eve, is going to be a day of rest. No more rushing around. My girls are so excited and I want to enjoy this time with them ~ it's such a magical time of year!