christmas 2005

Christmas started early for us as we awoke at 1am, to a rustling sound coming from down stairs. "Who goes there?" Ashely and I both wanted to know. "ALEX"....we both assumed, but no, he was still fast asleep in his bed. "Surely not Olivia" we wondered (who mastered climbing out of her cot a couple of months back). It was very dark in her room and we could not see, so with much haste we ran panicked down the stairs to catch her in the act. But we were soon to discover, it was not Olivia. Can you guess who it was? He has been a controversial figure this year and the topic of many an anguished email and web posting - yes, it was @#*?^%* ! COBIE.
Trampling over several presents and punching holes through the carefully stuck wrapping paper, he had managed to sniff out a gift containing chocolate chip biscuits - the ones I snuck into Ashley's gift as a joke (as usual the joke is on me). By the time we had got to him he had ripped a hole in the gift, managed to somehow open the packet and had eaten his way through an entire row of biscuits. He was then given a stern but quiet yell at (so as not to awaken certain people), brow beaten and growled at, and given a swift kick up the back stairs where he didn't dare move a muscle till morning.
The kids actually didn't rise until 6:30am, which is the regular time anyway. Everyone got dressed before going down to see what santa had delivered. I don't think Alex or Olivia could believe their eyes when they first spied thier haul. We were all very lucky, and we thank all those who sent gifts, photos, cards and well wishes.
After the gift unwrapping we brought in the bobcat to clear out the great piles of paper, cartons and packaging. We managed to have a quick brunch, before preparing for our hour long journey to Langley. Once in Langley we spent the evening with some friends, originally for Montreal, who made us feel very welcome. Christmas dinner was made in the French Canadian style. I sat next ot an elderly Greek man who told me about his homeland and asked many questions about Australia.
The weather was apparently uncharacteristically mild -15 degrees. So not a white christmas this year, but that was ok, we have seen it now.
The day came to an end around 9:30pm. The kids were great staying up and out so late (for them). They slept all the way home in the car, and didn't awaken until 8am the next day. Yay!