Uncle Willie's

On Monday night we went to "Uncle Willie's" Christmas Party.

We used to go to "Uncle Paul's" when we were kids but it was known in our family as "The Hayride"!! I have no idea why! Anyway, we never really got it together to go with our kids until this year when "Aunty Lisa" invited us along.

It brought back memories because basically, if you've been to either Uncle Willie's or Uncle Paul's anytime in the last 30 years it's exactly the same!

"now" and "then"
As you can see, not much has changed apart from the fashions (Cool socks Bev!!)

Back to Monday night, we started out with a tractor ride which was very bumpy and very exciting all at the same time!!!

Then we arrived at the castle and the hay fight started!!

Not everyone thought it was fun!

The kids were entertained by Uncle Willie, The Band and Noddy. The children were allowed to try out the instruments and some of the parents "volunteered" to play Jingle Bells!! Then the band took us for a march around the field.

After some carol singing, ice creams, snacks and cool drinks it was time for Father Christmas to arrive! The children have to "blow out" all the lights and wait for the sleigh bells and then he appears on the roof of the castle. There is also a fairy who comes and hands out sweets.

Abigail was very tired by the time the presents were being handed out and was getting a bit impatient! Finally her name was called and she went up to receive her gift.

The rules of the party are that only children aged between 3 and 8 may receive gifts, that meant that Niave wouldn't be allowed to receive her own gift from Father Christmas. So I wrapped up 2 separate gifts inside 1 gift (if that makes sense!). When Abigail took the first layer of paper off there were 2 presents inside, 1 for her and 1 for Niave. They both got crayons, koki's and pencil crayons because during the last week or so we discovered that almost every koki pen in the house is dry and there was a serious shortage of drawing equipment in general. (Father Christmas must have been flying over when we had that conversation because they are now very well stocked and have been drawing at every spare moment of the day!!)

We got home at 10:30pm!! Niave had slept in the afternoon so she was remarkably fine but Abigail, who does not deal well with being tired and refuses to admit to being tired(!) was very ready for bed. Both were out like a light as soon as their heads hit their pillows.

When they woke up the next morning there was much retelling of all that had happened and of course the drawing frenzy began!!