Christmas Party Martenelle style...

This is the last week of classes before Christmas vacation. Yah, they still call it Christmas break here. :)  Well Les Vacances de Noel.

My GS kids (Kindergarten) didn't have class yesterday because it was their annual Christmas Party.  I was invited to go, since my class was cancelled for the occasion.  It was really interesting to see how they celebrate here.  Sorry, no pictures.  I had already decided not to post pictures of the children on my blog, since I wouldn't be able to get their parents permission.

I arrived at the perfect time, just as things were starting (I missed the craziness of all the children getting into the same room for the movie to start).  GS is in Martenelle (Preschool) so the children were between the ages of 2 and 5, although I only work with the ones who are 5.  They watched some french Christmas cartoons (which were really cute, one was about a horse, and the other was Max, you know the rabbit, he's white...).

After the videos I went with my class back to their classroom.  They were so excited!  They told me that Pere Noel was coming, and that he was going to bring them chocolate.  And a bunch of other things I didn't catch, because they were THAT excited.  Just before we went into the classroom, the doorbell rang (schools have doorbells, because everything is locked up while they're in class, and if anyone wants to get in the school they have to ring).  The kids were positive that it was Pere Noel!  They rushed to the window (although it faced away from the front of the school) and they all swore they heard reindeer on the roof.  It was so cute.

They opened their classroom door to see presents under the tree.  Pere Noel had already been there!  There were 5 presents there (they were for the classroom).  Five lucky kids got to unwrap them, and then later they all get to play with them.  They got two puzzles, some bug jars, a box of plastic animals and an alphabet puzzle, so I guess really it was three puzzles.

Then we all went down to the gym to see Pere Noel.  He was there, and he answered their questions and gave them presents (a chocolate Santa each).  Then all the kids sat at tables in the gym for some chocolate and sweets.  They even had Christmas Crackers!  Well, their version.  One of the chocolates they had came with a cracker tab and a joke.  The kids weren't strong enough to pull the tabs apart, so I walked around and pulled them for them.  Screams and shrieks (none scared, just excited) surrounded me.  Then I walked over to talk with the grown-ups while the kids made a lot of noise.

Then I met Pere Noel!  I was introduced as the Canadian assistant, and he wanted his picture taken with me!  That's right, Santa had his picture taken with ME.  But it wasn't on my camera, so I can't post it, yet anyways.

And that was my awesome Christmas Party. :)

And I get to go to another party on Friday!!