It’s hard to imagine that we will be ushering 2012 in 3 days time, but I’m really looking forward to a brand new beginning, new challenges and new stories to share. Meanwhile, our Christmas this year was a quiet one. Usually we would have people over – either our immediate family (Mr. C’s side of the family of course) or my friend’s family for Christmas lunch. Christmas Eve is usually a quiet affair anyway, checking out the lights in the area, although this year, we decided to check them out a few days after Christmas.

I was still in bed, despite being already awake, at about 6:30am in the morning. and I could hear all three kids talking to each other in excitement over what’s in their Christmas stocking. We don’t normally hang the kids’ stockings where the tree is, instead, each of their stockings are hung on the door knob of their bedroom door. That way, it’ll be the first thing that greets them when they open the door in the morning. Master 6 was super excited exclaiming, “We got fongs! We got fongs!” As in…thongs! Then I heard some discussion about there not being lollies or chocolates in their stockings this year, unlike the previous years. Master 6 reassured (himself) the girls that it’s ok, because lollies and choclolates were bad for their teeth anyway, and that Santa cared about their teeth. Whilst Miss 9 reasoned that Santa probably knew that she had cavities previously and so there were no lollies or candies this year. Yes, very smart reasoning there Miss 9, Santa would be proud.

Then it was the mad rush downstairs, but not before Miss 9 telling her siblings to wait for Mummy to get up before opening the presents – sometimes, these kids really surprise me. So up I got, and went downstairs with them to check out their reaction to the presents. There were shrill screams of delight from all three as they each opened their presents. Miss 9, thrilled with her Monster High Hydration Station, which by the way…even I was excited about! Miss 8 was delighted with her Monster High doll and Master 6, his Toy Story Woody Doll (now Buzz has a mate!) and his Beyblades. There were books that they all wanted, so that they can read over the school holidays and Master 6 with his Lego head sorter, who ultimately thought it was cool but took a long time to sort…so yes, I had to help with the rest of the sorting.

Breakfast was an easy puff pastry with egg combo, much like the one I shared on the Piquing my Pinterest “Food I Can Probably Make” edition. Instead of bread (we ran out!) I used some puff pastry instead. It was a winner all around. Then, it was time for me to get lunch prepped and ready to go.

As with the tradition I started a few years ago, I decided to go with Chilli crab, with noodles. We also had some grilled chicken wings – thank goodness the weather hadn’t turned yet so Mr. C got to use the BBQ outside and some deep fried shrimps – or more like Gambaretti.

Dessert, was a simple fruit cake with icing from Coles – yes I got a bit lazy and decided not to make any dessert in the end. The fruit cake was pretty good actually, especially when washed down with some Jacob’s Creek Sauvignon Blanc.

Finally, we had a little chill out time, watching some television…oh no..wait..almost forgot! The kids’ performance. Yes, we were not spared from their yearly Christmas “concert”. The three of them had an item each to showcase, whilst Mr.C and I sat there dazed and a bit confused at what was going on. But, entertaining and full of laughs as usual.

The weather outside got pretty dreary, with hailstorms in some areas; thankfully not where we were. We then chilled out, watching some Christmas movies that were showing on television, before heading out to the in-laws for a short visit. Dinner at home was some simple grilled chicken wings; left overs from lunch, some vegetables and rice. Overall, it was a blissful, simple and quiet Christmas, just the way I like it. No fuss about how to present the house or the need to keep everything in order, and I can eat without caring how I looked trying to attack the chilli crabs!

That was our Christmas celebration this year. How was yours? Did you have a big do with extended family, a quiet one, or did you go away?