Christmas carols everywhere I went; Decorations all over; everyone complimenting each other with seasonal greeting… I so miss my childhood experiences of Christmas times in Kenya especially now, having lived in Muslim countries the past 7 years. Many times I feel like I am ‘short changing’ my kids on what and how Christmas celebrations should be… Last night I spent almost 2 hours on a three way phone call with my younger brother in Boston and my mom and older brother (and his family) in Kenya and still after we ran out of credit I was nostalgic for more time with my family. I remember those Christmases we spend at my grandparents farm… our ‘clan get together’ with hundreds of relatives running around singing and dancing for the whole month of December. All the tropical fruits you can think of in every corner you turn; Birds all over; the smell of food especially ‘nyama choma’ in the air; kids of all age groups playing different games all day and almost all night; It is like the ‘season was actually something in the air’ and as long as you could breath you had it in your system. It was not about gifts (then of course with 6 siblings) all dependent on my parents we were lucky if toys and stuff were even in on my parents mind. These memories make me feel sorry for my kids. They get all these ‘stuff’ then go outside to 4 walls surrounding the house. I try to have family over during the month of December and if they cannot make it I have friends over but somehow this does not seem to make up for what I think they are really missing. Maybe we should start spending all our Christmas holidays with my parents… InshaAlla… I think I owe them that much “au minimum!” Especially after my son just asked me if there is Christmas in Kenya and if thatched hats are real or fiction… So not funny!I love the moments when she looks at me with a 'silly' grin on her face and tells me how much she loves me... What more could a mother want?
The kids table: Yacob, Wadi, Sean, Zaria, Selma and Louka
With our friends ready for dinner
Dinner is served! Both Kenyan and American food!
Giving credit where it is due... Little miss Zaria did a fantastic job setting the table
Wadi playing 'silent night' on the piano. I could listen to him all day... I couldn't be more proud.
Kids after picking out their favorite gifts... Zaria went with the American Doll and Wadi with the D.S.
Wao! Look at all that... Santa is really real!
Oh wait... Who is that setting up the presents? Did Santa forget his suit? Oh no Santa is a girl! Wait is that Papa's t-shirt? OK I give up... Just give me the gifts and I will not question Santa's existance 'Merry Christmas'
On Christmas eve the kids got to open up presents form their Uncle Mzee! It is like he too knew what they had on their list to santa. I wonder if Santa will still get them the same stuff!!! Guess we just have to wait and see!
