Festive Fun

I went Christmas shopping down in Manly this afternoon.  It's the first time I've hit the shops as I've been a heavy user of on-line shopping for my presents this year.  It was lovely to be surrounded by so much Christmas spirit with carol singers and musicians but I suspect it's not a patch on what we'll get in the UK!!

We're getting to the pointy end of the year with all sorts of "lasts".  On Friday we had the last band rehearsal for the year and Bec and I organised a small party with muffins and Christmas gifts for all the children.  I have loved being band co-ordinator with Bec and am very lucky to be able to count her as a very good friend after our year together.  The kids in band were all totally awesome and it's been a privilege to watch them grow musically.  Bec and I were both given beautiful flowers, a very generous gift voucher and a bottle of champagne for our efforts which we drank together that evening.....

We've done a lot of laughing (and drinking champagne!) this year

Also on Friday we held a Festive Fun Afternoon up at the school with lots of activities, giant slides, tombola jars, lucky dip, snow cones etc.  It was the first event of its kind that I have helped organise and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed myself.  There was an amazing team of women working with me who all got on and did what they needed to do with minimum help and a huge amount of good humour.  We think we raised close to $5,000 which is pretty good going for a 2 hour, low-key event.  One of the favourite activities was a Tie-Up activity run by Emma in which you tie 2 people together with some string and they have to get free.  We will be looking for victims whilst we're in the UK!  

On Saturday evening the Wakes-Millers came for a swim and some dinner.  It was a beautiful balmy evening and we had a lot of fun.  Iona brought me some home-grown sunflowers which make me smile every time I look at them.  

Tom had another surf lesson with Samson early Sunday morning.  It was pretty perfect conditions and they both had a lot of fun.