Christmas this year was a momentous event as, for the first time, my new in-laws came over for the annual Wong Christmas Bonanza. Uncle B and Bree were also in attendance, and G-Bomb has reclaimed his seat at the Wong dining table, making this year the biggest Christmas feast we've ever had at the Hills household.
Christmas wasn't always such a big affair but over the last few years, JW and I have endeavored to turn it into a momentous and memorable occasion. The big beautiful 2-ft tall tree dripping with decorations, Christmas lights flashing out the front yard, fairy lights twinkling down the spiralling staircase and of course the big feast - a dining table heavy leadened with a big smoked ham, cheesy potato bake, smoked salmon, fresh prawns, oysters (this year, drizzled with Tetsuya vinaigrette), and salads galore. My in-laws also added a turkey and delicious Malaysian Cendol to the banquet this year. Deee-lish!
Then there were the presents! Everyone who comes over for Christmas gets a present. Not a random Dollar store present, but a considered, well thought out present, purchased especially for that individual. Example, MP got a Nerf sniper rifle - the perfect gift for him as, if he didn't work at a bank, he would most definitely have become combat sniper. I got a Sylvanian Families rabbit family and an ice cream cart - perfect complements to my Watermill Bakery, and the perfect gift for me as MP would have killed me if I bought any more kids toys this year.
Speaking of which, MP's cousins who are visiting from Hong Kong, come over last night for dinner with their kids, 9 year old Kaiden and 7 year old Jen Hui, and their four year old niece Anya. The kids found our toy stash before we had even the chance to offer the adults a drink. But last night confirmed what we had already known... our home is a kid's dream house. Both Kaiden and his dad spend the night driving recklessly on MP's PS3. The girls spend the night ogling over my Squinkies and then playing shop with my little Sylvanian Family characters, as my new rabbit family quickly became patrons of the Watermill Bakery and the ice cream cart.
It was a great night and it reaffirmed something to me, a thought which left me smiling.
Although I have adult responsibilities, I've still built a home and a life, that is true to me. I still have a childlike wonder and I haven't forgotten my childhood dreams.
That realisation has given me the perfect finish to the year, and I am feeling very grateful.
