A Christmas to remember

Christmas Day started like this ...

"Oh noooooo .... babe, Sera's eyes are swollen!"

I was in the kitchen making pancakes. Honestly, like I have the time ... I forgot to buy bread the day before and I know how Johan must have his bread and Nutella. But I also know he couldn't say 'no' to pancakes.

I dashed to the room, and lo and behold, Sera's eyes were SWOLLEN. Bee-stung, goldfish, punched up eyes ... my poor little girl. She looked so, so pitiful. Her left eye were mere slits and her right eye was struggling to open too. Johan was horrified, and all I could do was hug her. What a start to our Christmas together! It's surprising how methodical I was actually (Johan would say I was Miss Bossy!!!). I quickly called for the doctor, got Sera to open her presents, made the pancakes, bathe Yasmin, got everyone dressed up for Johan's company luncheon at the Atlantis Hotel but first, a stop at the doctor's.

An insect bit her, so the doctor claimed. There were 3 red dots around her eyes ... why those nasty insects!!!! He prescribed an antihistamine to bring down the swelling and then we were off for lunch. Lunch at the Atlantis was a 4-hour long affair. Sera (who was knocked out by the medication for the first half) and Yasmin were well behaved, considering the amount of hours spent indoors, in the restaurant. Even I was getting very restless!

The day is coming to an end and I'm totally exhausted. Johan and the girls are fast asleep. It may seem like it was just another crazy day but it was special in its own odd way. Like how we took a really nice family photo at Cooper's Clinic. I was so proud of Sera who still felt so pretty in her purple dress, despite her horribly swollen eyes. And most importantly, this Christmas, Sera listened intently and wide eyed when I told her the story of baby Jesus.

Happy Christmas everyone ... much love, Yasmin, Sera, Johan and Des

It's hard to tell, but Sera was excited to open up the presents

Sera presented Yasmin with her present

Our beautiful daughter who didn't let vanity spoil her day

Johan has strange ideas sometimes, like taking a family photo at Cooper's Clinic. But I'm going to love this photo for a long time because somehow, we always find something to smile about

Lunch. We were slightly disturbed by this Santa who had a habit of sneaking up on the diners with a weird sniggering sound and a strange walk. And this Santa also needed some fattening up! Yasmin was not at all impressed with him.

A crown for a king!

That's the over hyped Atlantis hotel behind us ...

Her eyes improved as the day progressed

And we can't forget how sweet Yasmin was despite fighting a cold all day