That time of year again

Almost half past three in the morning. I am still up reading blogs written by women who share stories about kids.

Hilarious. Kids are naive and smart and talk back alot. Instant entertainment.

ANYWAY. I just wanted to say- I LOVE CHRISTMAS.  Even though I've never had a real christmas present. The last time there was something under the tree was when I was in kindergarten. There was ONE flat box sitting under the plastic branches. I was so excited I opened it (carefully ofc not tearing the wrapping)- and even more excited to find out it was a game. Connect 4. HAHA. I think we still have that game in one of those huge moving boxes- even after living in this place for 2 years (omg already?!), we still haven't managed to unpack.

Last year, I spent Boxing Day with my cousins Joan, Gina and Jessie, their husbands and their 6 (combined) kids Jacinta, Joshua, Vincent, Monique, Laura and Ryan. I've shared this story before- but I feel the need to share it again. :D Christmas is awesome for kids nowadays.

Back when I was younger, K and I were lucky to have a tree up in the living room. M would put it up to make us happy- D never cared. Somehow, the concept of an old man bringing presents was never intorduced to me properly. I knew he was fake from the start. I've sort of been quite practical from the start. Santa was a myth. I don't think my parents knew about Santa until I was halfway through primary school- chatty phase- where I told my mum everything there was to talk about in the universe. But yeah. We never got Christmas presents- but I was fascinated and I LOVED this game even though now, when I think back, it was a totally stupid game- that wasn't even REAL- 'twas from the local dollar shop.

Last year when I walked into my cousin's house, the kids screamed and swarmed around our kneecaps, seeing what presents we had brought for them. Haha. Spoilt little bubs. I turned towards the living room and whispered "holy crap" when I saw presents OVERFLOWING from under the tree. Unbe-freaking-lievable. It was like Santa's workshop- Finished Goods Room/Ready for delivery. OMG immediately felt a pang of jealousy, but was interrupted by Vincent who struck me on the shoulder with another Star Wars toy. Parents should not show Star Wars to kids under 6 years of age. xD He just kept hitting people with that stupid glowing/noise making stick. I wanted to stick it up him- but I'm a nice "yeeyee" or "jiejie"(whatever they feel like calling me).

Present opening time came along and it was such an enjoyable occassion. The kids weren't used to being photographed- and those holidays, I think I documented my life with that camera. They were jittery from the excitement of present receiving and opening time, and also that I was taking funny pictures of them and showing them the funny expressions they had on their face.

But damn. Each present was huge- the size of a full sized guitar- like stuff you see on television! They were really nicely wrapped with ribbons and labels with the child's name.  Ricky dressed up as santa (beer gut- grosssss) in a stupid felt costume :D and the kids pretended it was Santa. They plonked on his knee and said "Thank you Santa" before dragging away their beloved gift.

So yeah. These kids- 6 kids, had 2 aunts and uncles each.  You'd think there would be a maximum of 36 presents under the tree. If you did, then you thought wrong. There was more. THESE KIDS ARE SPOILT ROTTEN. TO THE CORE!  But they're polite and a whole bag of fun. Jacinta and Monique asked me to join them in fingerpainting flowerpots and colouring in their Disney Princess colour books with their 124 pieces art set- while Vincent and Ryan kept poking me in the back with light sabres (DAMN THOSE THINGS) and Ben10 figurines. (Since we got Go!, I've been watching Ben10 almost daily. I think I know how to stop those kids from bothering me now. :D If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. WOOHOO BEN10 FANCLUB)

Joshua and Laura were still babies and cried alot- I don't like babies. They're ugly and either really love you or really hate you. You can't manipulate them like you can manipulate kids. When you pretend you know about Ben10, the boys will love you and give you a figurine to play with.  And with girls, just give alot of compliments- they'll worship you. Oh- they also happen to adore older girls who take an interest in what they do.

J: Beeelllleee
B: Yes?
J: What colour dyu think Cindy's dress should be (Cinderella)?
B: What about green with orange carrots?
J: Green?
B: Orange carrots?
J: I like carrots/
B: Really? I don't. What else do you like? Pink?
J: Yes, I love pink.
B: I know you're wearing  a lovely pink dress today. And I just LOVE your room ^^ so pink (gag), and gosh- you painted your nails too (DOUBLE GAG) in pink lacquer.
J: You noticed?

Kids love it when people pay attention to them.

I think I've perfected my Christmas/Boxing day babysitting skills- however I won't be in Aus during Xmas and I'll miss another party with the extended family.

Digressing slightly,  Christmas decorations are an important part of this festive season. Some people say its capitalism and it's just a scam to suck money out of people- but it really does bring in the festive mood. My neighbours has started putting up Xmas decorations- and it's quite interesting to see what additional features they add to their front yard every year. Santa on the roof, lights in the trees, roof and windows, Santa popping out of an inflatable fabric box, Santa climbing up the side of the house, little reindeer on the front lawn, etc. Bliss. I love it. I love Christmas. I love how people get so into it. I love CANDY canes, decorating trees, wrapping presents and curling ribbon. However, I don't like eggnog, fruitcake or mince pies.

Ahh seeing sparkly cellophane ornaments dangling off the walls at shopping centres and decorated window displays and signs saying "CHRISTMAS CLEAR OUT" or "END OF YEAR SALE" really cheer me up too.

In China, they aren't too big on Xmas, but the decorations are still there. Present giving is a definite (wth my cousin, Jack in SH is a spoilt as brat who got his first MP3 player when he was 6. WHAT THE HECK), giant displays of trees, or a fat santa, a sleigh full of presents exist in the shopping centres, but outside that- nothing. No home displays of lights, moving santas and reindeer. No carols or Chrismas food. But I love it all the same.

I loveLOVElove Christmas- I know it's still November, but I'm so full of holiday cheer I can't help but talk about Christmas (which was probably triggered by the lack of any good Christmases when I was a child- nof to M & D lol. they sucked at holidays).

HURRY UP CHRISTMAS. COME NOW!  lalalalalaaaaaa

Babbled for far too long today. 4am. yikes!

laters alligators

PS. WINTER CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR- Booyah