Christmas Brunch

The party last night was a success. It was nice to meet so many of the friends that Heather and Kyle talk about - all of them ex-pats with basically the same story as the kids. It seems the men work long, crazy hours and the women are responsible for everything else. Well, them and their maids!
A Malaysian caterer came to the house and grilled (brought their own little open fire grill) chicken and beef "satay" - small pieces of meat on a stick that you dip in a spicy peanut sauce - it was very good. They also brought a cucumber/onion salad meant to "cool the palate" and some rice balls. One of the couples brought "7 layer dip" with tortilla chips - a little taste of Texas!
We went to the Hilton hotel for brunch this morning. We can't all fit in the car so Roger, Samantha and I took a taxi. Samantha went with us so she could show us where to go to catch it. We walked by one taxi stop but she said "no, not that one - that is the blue and white one and it is too expensive" - "we get the red and
 white one at the bottom of the hill." When we saw a taxi coming she raised her hand and started waving it down saying "get it Grandpa, get it!" She is an urban girl!  Oh my goodness, what a selection of food! From all countries- Malaysia, USA, China, Europe. I tried all the fruit but stopped at  some of the other concoctions. Just the selection of bread and rolls was amazing. Samantha and Emily love the chocolate croissants!
Samantha and I started a tradition of going to the Nutcracker Ballett last year in San Antonio. Of course, there isn't a production here so I brought a DVD of the Royal Ballet version. It is interupted a few times to teach some ballet steps. We are getting dressed up and  "going to the matinee performance" after nap time today.
Thank goodness we started early on the Barbie Doll House - "some assembly required" will get you every time! It really is cute - 3 stories with an elevator; complete with a doorbell; a working chandelier; a pop up big screen TV; Chinese lanterns around the hot tub; a flushing toilet; and a shower that sings when Barbie steps in! Megan sent the girls swings - the guys are at the hardware store getting additional chain to hang them from the overhang on the front patio. They will love them!