The Christmas Party: Food and Father Christmas!

Once all the performances and the graduation ceremony were over, it was time to get ready for the big event... the food! It was clear the children were looking forward to it - earlier on I'd been carrying in a box of books and several of them had eyed it up and begun to chant "Chips! Chips!", and also when Lucy had asked them what they were going to do today one of them answered "Food!"

The children went to watch a short video while we got out tables and chairs on the veranda and started dishing up the food. It all happened amazingly quickly, everyone pitched in and got the job done! Soon the children were sitting down, gobbling up sausages and chips and guzzling soda. In fact they were finished so quickly that I didn't even get any photos - but here they are eating their ice cream which followed. For some this was their first taste of ice cream and there were a few funny reactions - they were very surprised by how cold it was!

Love the one blowing on it!

It got the thumbs-up from James!

After a short playtime whilst we did the reverse furniture removals, the children were gathered on the veranda, and Father Christmas appeared! The children thought it was very funny that Benson was dressed up, including a white beard, and they were extremely excited to get a present. They all waited until they were told to open it too - so well-behaved!

One, two, three... OPEN!!!

Here is a little video I made of the children playing with their cars and skipping ropes. It's not the most professional of videos but it's the first time I've edited together a few clips! In case you wonder, the whistling sound is the lollipop sticks!

Next the parents arrived to collect their children and their food parcels...

... and to listen to Benson explain the new fee-paying places and other things in the newsletter.

After this the children and parents went home, pausing only to get a balloon on the way out! All in all I think a very good day was had by everyone!