Awapuni Preschool Christmas Party

This past week we feel as if the busyness of the Christmas season has caught up with us, even over here in Gisborne. On Wednesday evening, Jonathan's preschool had a Christmas party for the families of all the children. We brought blankets and a picnic supper for our family, and then found a spot near the playground and playing field. We ate our supper and the kids played on the bouncy castle and playground. Neither of the boys were too excited about the bouncy castle. Jonathan was happy to run around with his friends and Harrison either tried tagging along, or was content to play on the playground by himself.



Then the kids got a visit from Santa!!! All of the parents were asked to buy a $2 gift for their own children (siblings, as well) and have them delivered to school by Wednesday morning. Then Santa would bring his bag full of toys for the kids to the party in the evening. As you can see by the picture below, Santa arrived on a bicycle (since the lack of snow here makes landing a sleigh a bit difficult).



As Santa made his way across the field on his bike with a bag full of toys in a hot polyester suit in 80 degree weather, all of the kids ran to greet him and see what he brought them. After the initial mass confusion and excitement of all the kids, they managed to have all of the kids sit down (well, most of them) around Santa and he started handing out the gifts.



Check out all of the rattails in the picture below...quite popular over here!



Harrison waiting patiently for Santa to call his name...



...receiving his gift from Santa...



...and, finally, opening his gift!




And, Jonathan receiving his gift from Santa.





Harrison showing off his new toy, a little blue jeep. How exciting!



Afterwards, the boys played around on the playground and had a great time.





One party down, two to go!