Christmas Eve

If we were still in Europe, we would probably be at my moms place right now, the living room floor would be covered in a mixture of wrapping paper, toys and new socks and our bellies would be full to bursting with the fondue we just ate (the one with the broth, not the cheesy kind). Oh, and we probably would have had a glass of wine or five.

But since were not in Europe, we decided to do things a bit differently today.

We got up early (well, the kids did) as was to be expected, and had enjoyed the 27 degrees outside.

After a quick visit to the gym, we spent the rest of the morning in the kitchen, preparing for the pick nick that was to come in the afternoon: baking bread-rolls and mini-pizzas, making tomato-mozzarella-on-a-stick and frying some chicken pieces in a honey-mustard-sauce.

All this went into a big cool-box we borrowed from friends (thanks, Stef!) and off we went to the beach!

We spent the better part of five hours on the beach, enjoying the water, the sun and especially the food be brought (even though the odd piece of sand found its way into the salad).

A bit of European nostalgia: we brought or own snowman. He took it all quite calmly.

“What about the presents!?” you ask. Well, since we are in an Anglo-Saxon country, presents are traditionally done on Christmas Day (December 25th) in the morning. So we are currently setting them up under our fake palm tree and will be doing the unwrapping tomorrow morning.

I think we have found our new way of celebrating Christmas in the summer.

We also found that we were not the only ones: an Australian extended family had their dinner on the beach as well. Unlike us, though, they were much better prepared with tables, chairs and proper cutlery. Maybe something for next year…