Conversations with Myself

I know this is the second month of the year and I am still talking about December holidays, but who forgets good time spent with family?.  Not me at least.  Click here and here to catch up on previous posts about the perfect holidays.

On our way from Johannesburg I stocked up on all the goodies for kids. I could not wait to see Muli and my family. Driving home was pleasant.

I have seen North West Provence in all seasons and have driven many kms in rain, thunders and sunshine but seeing the rivers running, the dams being full and the vegetation been green was the best sight ever. In 2013 Mahikeng and North West Provence in general suffered the worst draught the province has seen in 80 years. I was in France that year, and seeing the rivers and the dams running full in France made me so jealous. I wished I could share some with my home country because the rains were not coming, more especially in North West Provence. Enough with rains ha.

The kids at home saw us from a distance and by the time we parked our car it was a serious chaos. Good chaos. Hugs and kisses. Zee crying because everyone was a stranger. The last time she was home was when she was 5 months. Muli was calling for our attention because she already wanted us to catch up. My nephews and nieces were asking for their presents because I have promised them.

We were home. All eight of my nephews and my nieces came to spend some time with us. There was no more silence lingering when we were sleeping. Me missing the quietness of the hotels, ha!. Instead there was giggles and laughter of kids in the next room. HashTag BringBagMyChildHoodDays.

My days were spent in the kitchen either cooking or sitting round laughing while one of my sisters is cooking. The kids were playing in the backyard most of the days. It was difficult to take pictures of them. Half of the time I had my phone misplaced. Who worries about a phone when there is family?. Not me.  I did not take much pictures.

We have three traditions that we have kept for years.

1. Baking cookies and brewing ginger beer specifically for Christmas day and New year,
2. We slaughter a sheep or a goat,
3. We cook huge meals for Christmas day and New year’s day and
4. We buy new clothes and dress up for Christmas day and New year’s day.

There is something that is very special about holidays with family. There are no expectations. We are very giving to each other and our giving is not channelled to Christmas day. We do not give each other Christmas presents. We do buy for each other’s kids because kids and their favourite Aunties and Uncles BUT we do not exchange Christmas gifts with my siblings.

No one is expecting anything from anyone. That always  make holidays with my family to be drama free, stress free and joyful.  I am already looking forward to the next family holidays.

Take care,
Nez

christmas holidays family holidys nephews and nieces siblings