Skool's Christmas around the World

Back to the Christmas celebration, inside, the Skool was already fully decorated with flags and festive decoration. Already, many students had arrived, all decked in the various costumes of their respective 'countries'.

Some of the big boys, representing Spain, Pakistan, Russia and Vietnam...

while the younger kids were busily (and excitedly) matching their flags with the ones on the stage.

Similar to last year, the students walked the length of the stage (well... actually last year there was no stage, so they walked the length of the room), and then they took turn to introduced themselves as well as the country they represented. Kecil was all smiles during her turn. She just kept looking for her Mama in the wrong direction (Mama's bad for moving to another spot in the room in order to get better picture angle, haha..)

And as it turned out, she's really Mama's girl, lifting her skirt up like that in order to walk better. Ha!

There was some simple dance and singing, but as usual, all the rush to record the kids in action did not create a pretty picture. Soon enough, it was time to eat while the judges deliberate for the awards (for best costumes, etc). Kids, being kids, mostly ate a few bites before they ran off playing with their peers.

Kecil did not win any award, unfortunately, haha....
Well... soon it was time to exchange presents (and play with the toys found inside them!).

And everybody got themselves a Christmas sock, with one very special stocking stuffer...

A lit up googles! How cool is that? It was definitely a huge hit with the kids.

Everyone was so keen on showing off their goggles (and pose for Mama, of course!)

So of course the teachers decided that the students can bring along their goggles for the following event: group picture.

Uh... so I guess lost kids and over-eager parents do not mix to create a nice group picture.

Well... but that was our Christmas celebration in Skool this year. It was fun, and it was really great to see all the effort that went into it: the decoration, the costumes, participation... good stuff. We definitely look forward to many more successful Skool events at the new building. Until then, cheers!

Ooo Christmas tree...

Ah yes, we were missing yesterday. But yesterday was a real busy day. Crawling through the under-the-stairs storage, cleaning up, assembling... all in the name of... Christmas tree.
Yes indeed. It's already December (so this Mama 'realised' on Sunday night, right after a looong weekend of vaguely wondering of things to do. Doh!).
So... yah... it's time for the Christmas tree.

Our Christmas tree is still our old, faithful, fake tree that we bought so many years back when we were still baby-less. Despite its lack of fragrance, this Mama still loves her tree.
And out of curiosity, how long does fake Christmas tree last, anyway? 5 years? 10 years? I think this one is already hitting 7th year this year.
It's made of bits of plastics and wire, which is cool because the branches are 'bend-able'. Do note the unfinished tree above, and compare it to the final result:

You see what I meant? The gaps between the branches simply disappear.
Ah ya, but of course, please do not mention the ever-the-same Christmas bobbles on the tree.
It ain't broke, so I ain't fixin' it.

In any case, like last year, Kecil is pretty much involved in the making of the making of the tree. Well... she was the one who kept asking about when I was going to put it up.
She was cheer leading while Mama braved the storage to fetch the tree.
She hung a few ornaments as well.
Then apparently she got tired and switched to playing with the tree box. Ha!

But at least she was willing to help Mama plug in the lights.

Have yet to get a good picture of the Little One with the tree, but now that it's up.... I'm sure we'll get a chance or two... eventually (even if I have to bribe her to pose on the very last day of the tree this year!).
Here's for a good holiday cheer to you as well!

Backlog: Christmas Party

Since Christmas rehearsal was done on the day before the party itself, there was no more long wait for the D-day. We arrived early to find the room already dressed up to the nines, stockings hung and even some early students already running around.

There was the beautiful winter scene, a curious little boy, even curious little girls meandering around.

There was time to greet friends, time to play with friends, but soon it was time to start the show, as the Teacher announced the first item in the list of events.

And so the kids put up their cute Santa hats and took up their musical instruments, and they sang and danced, and basically did all their best to bring in the spirit of Christmas (while entertaining all the parents and make them proud!)

There was the usual stampede as the Kids danced, but it was still a good party, with food. Of course there was food!

... and some dining outside, and some playing...

All in all, it was a good party, a great way to end Skool of the year 2011, as we were to have a break for all the Skooling to celebrate Christmas and the New Year holidays. Kudos to all the teachers for making 2011 a great year. We have only the best hopes for 2012!

Backlog: Christmas rehearsal

Once the Christmas crafts are done, it's time to rehearse for the big party of the year, the Christmas Party @ Skool!

There aren't that many good images from the rehearsal itself, as the students are basically running around everywhere (while the teachers worked REALLY hard to get them to practice their parts). Even Kecil got bored after a while. Thank goodness for great company, in the form of other cute little girls in Santa hats.
Stay tuned for the Christmas party post itself, coming up shortly!