Orla's Christmas Play

Sorry for the delay in posting - I was sick and then had 600+ exams to grade.  I hope to finish the exams tomorrow (December 23rd).

So, a couple of weeks ago (before illness struck), ORBJ had her Christmas play.  Her "classroom" was divided into three groups - Christmas trees, reindeer, and Santas.  You can see which one she was:

ORBJ enjoying her Christmas play

Given the age range of kids (2.5 to 5), it was not bad at all.  The room was packed with proud parents and a couple of grandparents.  LBJ and I were there as well.  The kids had a great time, and that's what really mattered.

Singing the Christmas classics with gusto!

ORBJ's "school" sent lyrics for 3 of the songs with her.  FABJ was happy to practice the songs with her.  I can only imagine the looks we got in late November and early December as we were going home from ORBJ's school - ORBJ in the bike seat as I biked home, with FABJ on her scooter.  The girls belting out "Frosty the Snowman", "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer," and "Jingle Bells" at top volume.  All the while, I'm trying not to bust up laughing.

The best bit is that the kids learn a verse of Jingle Bells in Irish.  It's not a literal translation (I think), but the girls do a good job.  They know quite a bit more Irish than I do, which isn't saying much.  I know a couple of colors and the random kindergarten phrase like "hands up."  About the only color I remember is yellow, which is buy (with an accent on the i - don't know how to do that in Blogger - sorry!).

Here are a couple more photos for your enjoyment.  I hope to post a little more regularly now that I'm nearly done grading for the semester.

Yes, they even had actions like ... oh, I forget what this was

Happy with a job well done (or enjoying the cookies)

Oh, one last thing, they even got go play percussion instruments for 1-2 songs.  ORBJ had the triangle.  Surprisingly, no one was hurt, and no instruments were broken.  I'm always amazed at how little destruction occurs despite the constant chaos; I'm also impressed by the calm of the workers - I could never handle that job.

Orla turns 4

First, a cute picture of ORBJ.  As LBJ points out, ORBJ looks quite a bit like her mother.

Is she cutie or patootie?

ORBJ turned 4 on Sunday.  Alas, she was in such a hurry to open all her presents that we don't have many good photos of the occasion.  In fact, here is the best of the lot:

ORBJ in her PJs, looking for more clics to put together

As usual, she did well and enjoyed her presents.  Among them include some jigsaw puzzles, a backpack, a bike helmet cover, and some legos.

The girls enjoying ORBJ's birthday presents

She had a good birthday.  After playing with the presents for much of the day, her grandmother (LBJ's mum) took her and FABJ to a puppet show version of Cinderella.  The birthday girl chose the dinner menu - mac and cheese, ham and peas.  LBJ made some wonderful chocolate cupcakes as a version of the birthday cake.

The next day, FABJ became an official member of ladybirds, part of Irish Girl Guides.  She was excited all week about the day - I can't wait until December 2nd, she said over and over.  She was very happy, and - as you can see - she looked quite cute in her uniform.

FABJ enjoying the ceremony

LBJ is quite amused by the Girl Guides, as she says that they haven't changed since she was a Brownie / Girl Guide.  The person in charge - Sally - is a no-nonsense woman.  She keeps all of the girls in line - I could learn a thing or two.

All the girls looked very sweet and were very excited.  The parents looked very proud as well (LBJ and I were happy that FABJ was happy).