Christmas

 

This was a quiet Christmas year for us.  With border uncertainties and escalating COVID cases in our local area, we decided on no trips away and no visitors... just us, which made for a pretty chilled Christmas Day.  

The day unfolded with the kids opened their stockings and then presents.  We had a light breakfast.  I made some fresh cinnamon scrolls.  We hung together and pottered about while the kids played or set up their new gear.  Family calls made and received wishing all a great Christmas. 

It was a warm day so Michael, Milly and I headed down to the ocean baths for a dip.  Then it was back home for a delicious early Christmas dinner of prawns, turhamken (turkey stuffed with ham and chicken), roasted vegetables and salad.

End of school

The end of the primary school era has arrived.  Buster is off to high school next year.  COVID really put a dampener on Year 6 celebration festivities.  Parents were unable to attend presentation day and only one vaccinated Year 6 parent was permitted to attend the final day "clap out".  Having been at the primary school for 11 years and actively involved in the P&C, I knew that I would be a sobbing mess if it was me who attended, so Michael was despatched to capture the moments.  He admitted it was an emotional "clap out", plenty of kids and parents crying, despite the restrictions on attendance.

Buster had his sports shirt signed by friends and teachers, slept it in that night and wore it at home the next day.  He explained he wasn't ready to take it off, so we let him wear it and sleep in it for a few more days until it really started to smell and he admitted it was time to say goodbye.  

His final school report included this comment from his teacher:

"Buster is a humorous and witty class member who has continued to work diligently throughout the year.  Buster demonstrated a high degree of self-direction during his 'Genius Hour' project where he extensively researched the history of video games, creating an engaging presentation and expertly sharing with his peers.  Buster actively engaged in all online learning activities during the period of time spent learning from home this semester.  He consistently demonstrates the school values of respect, responsibility and excellence inside and outside the classroom.  Buster is a delightful, kind and insightful student.  I wish him all the best and every success in high school."

He also proved himself to be quite the artist.  Below is a selection of my favourites.

It was also a great end of school for Henry and Milly, both receiving awards to acknowledge their achievements.

Milly was invited to the Academic Assembly and received an Academic Excellence award and medal for outstanding achievement across all subjects.  Due to COVID, parents were not permitted to attend and her presentation day was live streamed.  

It was fortunate the presentation day went ahead, as that night we received a message from the school that a student had tested positive for COVID and the school would be shut down until contact tracing and deep cleaning had taken place.  Given it was the last week of school, the school didn't reopen.

Henry also received a class award for Most Consistent in English.  Unfortunately for him, he was sick and not at school the day his year assembly was held.  

Vaccinated

 

The whole family is now double vaccinated.  Myself already triple vaccinated.  The new Omicron COVID variant has been running wild in our local health district.  It really feels like it's only a matter of time before one of us catches it.  

As I write this, my brother in Sydney tested positive and I've since discovered a couple of work colleagues are also positive to COVID.  

The rules for when to get tested and when to get the booster shot are forever changing.  It's hard to keep up with it.  We rarely venture out to heavily populated places and continue to wear our masks and sanitise our hands at every opportunity.  

Formals

OMG, why do they have to grow up?  What happened to my chunky toddler little Mister who has now sprouted into a 16 year old bean pole?

Mister (or Big Mister as he's also now often called) had his Year 10 formal this week and looked every inch the sharp man in his suit.  It was also wonderful seeing him with his friends, also all dressed smartly in their suits.  Suddenly, with only two years left of high school you can see the growth in these young men and their potential.  You wonder what paths they will take and what life choices they'll make.  

Mister's formal was a student only event (with a small number of parent supervisors).  A sit down, alternating set-course dinner, followed by some dancing.  There were rumours one of his besties was hosting an after party, but this came as a surprise to the bestie's mum when I asked her about it.  No after parties for Mister.  He came home with a hoarse voice and very tired.  Not happy to have been forced to attend school the next day. 

Buster also had his Year 6 graduation formal this week, with the end of primary school only days away.  Being the stylish little man that he is, he also wanted to suit up for his big night.  Nanoo's birthday present to him was to take him shopping for an outfit.  Buster has always been an individual when it comes to his styling.  He knows what he wants and won't compromise.  Naturally, he went for a modern and polished look, complete with bow tie.

Traditionally, the Year 6 formal at his school is for the students and teachers only.  Parents are allowed in for the first 20 minutes to watch their graduation and the cohort perform a dance, then the kids have dinner and celebrate together for the rest of the evening.  Unfortunately, this year COVID safe rules didn't permit this.  No parents allowed at all.  It was a drop off and pick up situation, only we weren't permitted to leave the premises either.  Sitting around for three and half hours was not my idea of fun, so I took Nanoo and Milly with me for company.

Buster says he enjoyed the evening.  For him it might be the last time he sees many of his friends.  The majority of his classmates will going to a selective high school next year.  I'm anticipating his final clap out will be an emotional one.

 

 

Christmas Preppers

 

We'll be having Christmas at home this year.  Having not been home for the past two years we didn't bother putting up a tree.  This year we needed a new tree, with the old having fallen apart.  It was a family affair putting it together and decorating, along with listening to Christmas tunes, and indulging in some Christmas snacks. 

Milly has been keen to do some Christmas baking.  For the last two weekends she's made and decorated sugar cookies and gingerbread men.  All very yummy.  The boys even decorated some gingerbread men too.