Yesterday fifteen members of the family, including eight grandchildren, joined together to make Christmas puddings. To be honest, it was mostly the work of the grandchildren, and what a delight to watch them working together, the older ones taking on the responsibility of overseeing the process and supporting the younger ones, and our newest-to-making-pudding-member taking on the role of chief quality taster.
Missing were Son#1 and DIL#1, DIL#3, Son#5 and DIL#5 and The Most Adorable Granddaughter#8. But there was still laughter and fun and the old adage that many hands make light work was again put to the test.
As the puddings were boiling away on the stove, Son#4 suggested table tennis and this was set up in the backyard. Afterwards, several members enjoyed a swim at the beach, including The Most Charming Grandson who HAS NO FEAR. Regardless of how many times he was dumped and rolled by a wave, he would come up laughing and run towards the next wave. (Not at all like one of his uncles at the same age who ran down towards the waves eagerly until a wave came in and he turned and ran back up the beach screaming.)
Several times throughout the day DH commented to me that it felt a lot like Christmas. Even with the missing family members and lack of presents (well, there were some birthday presents and even a birthday cake but no Christmas presents) it had that Christmas feel to the day.
It was an unexpected extra blessing to what was a perfect day. Hopefully the puddings (which are dairy-free this year to accommodate the allergy of one wee family member) will be equally perfect.
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