It's beginning to sound a lot like Christmas

The end of year and end of primary school activities really ramped up last week.  We had the Year 6 play which Tess helped to write - a singing, dancing and acting spectacular which was surprisingly good given the Year 6's were solely responsible for the writing, directing and staging of the play.  There were the school Christmas carols in which Tom was once again a very happy Elf.  There was the end of year Band Performance which made Tess very emotional as I think this really brought home to her the fact that she's leaving school for good soon.  

On Friday night we had our first big party in the renovated house.  20 adults and 20 children fit very comfortably - we could have doubled the numbers without it being a squash.  Thank goodness we've had the pool replaced because the kids were in it until 10.30 at night.  

Night swimming - the very best kind!  

 The boys on the deck

 The girls on the deck

 Andrew, Jules and Sheldon

The kids watching Pitch Perfect 2

Poor Tess and Tom had respectively their Grade 4 clarinet and Grade 3 saxophone exams on Saturday afternoon.  It was Tom's first music exam so he didn't know what to expect.  When he first started really practicing for the exam we had a few issues with his commitment levels but after a little "chat" he settled down and did the most amazing amount of very diligent practice.  Tess is ridiculously over scheduled so struggled to find the time to do sufficient practice and as a result she was more nervous than I have ever seen her prior to the exam.  

Relief after the exam

On Sunday afternoon we had one of the highlights of Christmas - Tess' piano concert.  We all sit in a very English looking house singing along whilst the children play christmas carols with a real life Santa watching over them and handing out presents at the end of the concert.  Tess and I did a duet of The First Noel and luckily it went ok because we hadn't done much practice!  

Tess receiving her present from Santa