The Counting

Today was the great annual migration of the clan to Nanna's and Grandad's house, known also, to some of us as "the Counting". Like wilderbeast, they roam across the east coast of Australia, converging in a merry mob at the oasis of the Granna's.

 Now the Counting is an annual phenomenon, planned for many weeks, that begins with much table moving and ham scoring in the morning. Nanna gets progressively more agitated about the details as she anticipates her flock returning to the fold en masse.

There are several essential elements to the Counting.

1. The emersion of many small humans in a body of water until it is verging on dangerous and unhygienic but always enormous fun!

2. The early arrival of Santa with gifts for distribution by the elected Santa rep of the day. Today was Nanna's turn. She decided to un-nurf us all with her highly inappropriate choice of weapon for the EIGHT eleven to thirteen year old boys! Nanna gets cred points and sucker marks on her flat screen.

Here Lala is timing Nanna's present distribution efficiency. Nanna is a just and speedy Santa.

3. The much adored nuncles and naunts from far away give cuddles and catchups with the offspring.

4. There is kooky dancing usually to the likes of Dean Martin et al.

5. All functioning parents accompany the throng of younguns to the light show around the corner which is thankfully always there and bigger than the year before.

6. The variety is in the reactions of the wee-uns as they thrill to the multiple Santas and his accoutrement. Shorty is convinced she was at Santa's house tonight.

 Don't pash the plastic, Shorty!

7. As various younger casualties self bed around the house, the surviving youth chortle away to yet another repeat of Mr Bean with a turkey on his head while the oldies eat left overs and natter on. Wasn't this a character on Dr Who last week?

                 It never gets old... Mr Bean, Christmas or the Counting. Warts and all, we love it!

MERRY CHRISTMAS, YOU BUNCH OF RATBAGS!

Lights of my Life

Some times after a long, hard day...you feel you should chat with them about ...
what they did and who they spent their precious time with,
ask them how things are for them,
if they are happy or tired,
feeling secure with the changes that have occurred out of the blue...
in a short and unexpected time...
or just giggle and play with a light in the dark till we all fall asleep together on the big bed.

Go West, Young Man

My homey and I went on a forty minute road trip today. We went West on one of our favourite country drives to a shopping centre in a smaller town. The city ones here are too busy and we hadn't had a chat alone for a while.There are lots of things not to hit on this particular drive. Apart from the usual suburban obstacles,

and the gratuitous iconic ones for overseas readers
there are some incongruous ones for lost Canadians. (Surprise 1)

On closer inspection we agreed it was, indeed, a jolly reindeer that we should avoid running down at this time of year in particular. This photo may soon find its way into envelopes masquerading as a Christmas card if I ever get around to writing any.
There were cows and horses and ducks- oh My!

There's a bit of the river that was under in the floods last Christmas which has still not recovered. (Surprise 2)

Of course there was the obligatory country, corner store.

I know these are everywhere but if the husband hadn't zealously thrown out all the discarded palings I'd rather love to make one of these for the front gate! (Surprise 3)

Then we were back in one of these places but it was considerably quieter and, strangely, cheaper, than the city. Flossy RAN to Santa's lap to tell him she is M, she is two and she would like lol-lols for Christmas. She loves Santa! (Surprise 4)

After driving back and swapping the toddler for three more boys we headed to Ramp Attack which after another forty minute drive turned out to be closed tonight to scooter riders. After returning again, I remembered the Street of Many Christmas Lights where we have been going for ten years. So instead of barrelling at Ramp Attack we ended up carolling at Lamp Attack. (Surprise 5)

There was a lot of tumbling, wrestling and laughter from this hefty bundle of testosterone. They are still not too old or too cool to enjoy the happy contagion of some pretty lights.
These people all decorate their homes as a neighbourhood tradition now and every year there are more lights and more neighbours involved.
I do believe the lads were singing in front of this one although it may only have been on the inside!
And, surprise 6, I finished shopping for all the Christmas carnage with one swoop of my be-tinselled broomstick today! Bah, humbug, hooray!