Smiling at Granny

Christmas Day today. S and our two daughters produced a veritable feast which started with gingerbread biscuits and mince pies accompanied (despite being only just midday) by champagne (ginger beer for Mr H and Young L). The former wore the head dress of the Christmas Reindeer, while his younger brother wore the Christmas Elf's hat. 

The first presents they handed out from under the tree were the ones they had chosen for me, and the next were the two biggest parcels for each of them. With encouragement they gave the women a present each from under the tree, and quietly and in turn each opened a present. I was required by the boys to open both as they "went together". A ceramic tui and a smaller ceramic piwakawaka (fantail). Will go well in my study/the library or storeroom at the beach house. (It is all three).

Having made sure that the grandparents knew what they each wanted, I suspect they had a pretty fair idea of what was in the large boxes. Unpacking those preoccupied them thereafter, and so C acted as distributor. All in all a lovely time was had, our daughters spoiled us, food was enjoyed, the champagne was finished off by the women, as I moved to a Matakana rose. Coffee and reading followed. As well as a short (for me) walk; J went further.

The afternoon was brilliantly sunny and warm, and just went on and on, so that quite suddenly everyone was tired; so S and I came back to the apartment.

A wonderful day. S talked with our son and his  family by FaceTime while we drove from the city to Swanson, and only their presence could have made this family occasion better than it was.