The big day has come and gone. And the kids are still (almost) as hyper as they were before Christmas - I thought (silly me) that they were supposed to calm down a bit! Actually, they are better today than yesterday, so I have hopes that they will be back to more or less normal by the end of the weekend. At least it's the weekend again, so there are two grownups around to help troubleshoot. Too bad school's not back until the 7th, though!

Well, the week of events is over. We had Sarah's nativity play, which went very well (and a photo of the main cast actually appeared on the front of the local free paper - I'll scan it in a put a link to it when I get around to it), and Olivia's ballet class performance, which was incredibly cute, as expected. I got a few photos of each of those things, as well as getting them on video, so when I eventually get the film developed, I'll put the photos up on our website so everyone can see them.

Been to the farmers' market this morning to collect the beef (standing rib roast, 3 ribs - very large, very yummy looking, even though it's not been cooked yet) and it's taking up half my fridge. Also picked up some mulled cider (this is the English kind of cider - i.e. alcoholic, rather than the American kind) - all I have to do it heat it up. My kind of drink, especially in this kind of weather, which is misty and chilly (though not really really cold, which is nice).

Another playgroup event today - the official Christmas party. I had volunteered to stay and help, so I got to see these kids in action, and it's amazing how good they are for people other than their parents. At least, I assume my children are not the only ones who are much more of little terrors at home than in public (of course, when you think about it, that's preferable to the opposite situation). When they arrived, they all sat down on some blankets - and this was twice the number as usual, as most kids only go 2 days a week, so these were the Monday/Wednesday kids as well as the Tues/Friday kids - and sang songs while we finished getting the food ready. Then they all went to the little tables and sat down and ate their food. And the amazing thing is that they STAYED sitting down in their seats most of the time. If they could bottle that and sell it, they'd make a fortune. :)

Then there was an entertainer - I'd say a clown, but she didn't do the makeup and stuff, which is probably just as well for kids that age, who might be slightly frightened by that sort of thing. They loved her, and she was quite funny even from an adult point of view, which was nice for those of us watching. And then a visit from Father Christmas. All in all, a lovely little party - just what I'd expect from this playgroup actually, which is very good quality. I'm sure she'll be sorry to leave it & also sure we'll try to get no 3 into it when he's old enough. The group has been going for about 35 years now, and I think that shows - they are clearly really well thought-out and organised about some of these things, so you can tell they've had some practice.

Tomorrow we've got a nativity play, and luckily, no sign of chicken pox in our house yet (it struck Joseph down last week, and as Sarah is playing Mary, we were understandably concerned). They'll probably wake up with it Christmas morning or something. But frankly, as I've been expecting Sarah to bring it home ever since she started school, I shan't be surprised when she does. And as I'm not working anymore, at least I don't have to worry about how we'll manage the time off...

Olivia's playgroup had a "concert" today - if you can imagine anything much cuter than 20 or so 2.5 - 4 year olds singing Christmas songs while neatly arrayed on stage, I'd love to know what it is (actually, I imagine her ballet class's "recital" will be up there in cuteness, too). Very sweet & astonishing that most of them not only didn't cry, but actually stayed in their places AND knew most of the words to the songs (and actions). They must have been practicing since October!

I think that's all the shows for this week - next week there is Sarah's school play and Olivia's ballet class's "show" (which term I use loosely - basically, the parents just get to watch the class in action - I don't think there's any structure to it. Still, I'll try to get 10 minutes or so of it on camera - not the entire 45 minutes, though).