Plan, organize and enjoy a nice christmas day with my family

^{This was painted by my aunt and was menat as a colourful gift for our playing-room. It will hang there from now on during many cold and dark winters. =)}

I was sooo nervous! Some time ago I read somehwere that it helps to just start counting, that it should calm you down… Well, I started counting a lot, but that didn’t really help.

Of course, they all arrived at once and stood in one place for half an hour without moving. But once the champagne was opened and the first glasses were empty, we all moved somewhat further, I got some help in the kitchen and it started to get really nice.

The children were overjoyed with a lot of attention, presents and cuddles and had the greatest of times. My sister’s children were there as well and even the baby didn’t wanted to miss a single second. ;-) He didn’t sleep all day without being cranky. He was really cute…

Our planned lunch was a success, even though we were without electricity a few times (looong story) and it was way too much food (of course). But we all enjoyed it anyway and had a great time.

I only regret not having the time to take some nice pictures. My aunts and a cousin took pictures, but I still haven’t seen any of them. We’ll probably swap them a bit later next year (hopefully later than sooner… It was a bit sad that my granny couldn’t be there and wasn’t doing too well. We all have the feeling that it won’t be long before we all see eachother again for a less than happy occasion…).

When they all left again, most was cleaned up and the kids were in bed I sat down and almost instantly fell asleep. =)

It was nice, but I’m glad to lend a helping hand to someone else – next year!

It’s time to run the last errands, my lists are prepared and a lot is done already but I am still getting stressed more and more by the hour. We still have to get a few things, do a bit of christmas shopping (presents… my niece and nephew’s gifts are still in Utrecht and we won’t make it with all the other stuff we have to take care of) and clean the house…

It is very strange: I was planning this day for quite a while and I have been looking forward to it a lot, but I’m also looking forward to getting back to normal again.

^{Breathe in, breathe out and get started on these last few cookies!!!}

Most things are taken care of. We only have to do the groceries for that day and cool the champagne. =)

We’ll be 21 persons for 2 festive meals and I’m not panicking (too much) yet. I get the sneaky feeling that I forgot something very crucial.

It took a while and now I can start making lists and prepare the decoration. I’m already looking forward to seeing them all again.

My husband invited my family to our house.
All 25 of them!

It´ll be nice, I know this. They all want to come, want to see our house and have a great time. We don´t usually get together that much, since my family is spread all over the country. But with christmas it´s different and we´re meeting for a nice lunch, some great treats and a good time.

We already have some ideas, some tiny preparations have been made and now it´s time to actually invite my family and ask them for ideas and their help. It´s only a simple eMail, but I´m procrastinating this one for weeks now…

I´ve got to write this one and get started!!