Children's Christmas Party

We were invited to Charles' work, a friend who is an administrator at a language school, to attend a Christmas party with lots and lots and lots of kids. Ok, we didn’t know there would be so many of them when we agreed. It was a pleasant surprise, hee hee. Don was asked to be Santa while I gave them mini English tests. We had such a good time that we agreed to go back the next night and do it all again with another group of kids!

Don got right into his role and only made one little girl cry. Not bad since he probably talked to a few hundred of them. He was a big hit!

The little ones had to go to different rooms in the school to do different activities. In one room, they had to try to blow out candles (a room full of fire for little kids didn't sound like such a good idea at first) to practice their English sounds. In another room, they had to pick out balloons according to colour and in yet another one, they were shelling peanuts. Hum, what for you ask? We think they were practicing their numbers or someone was just hungry so built in some free labour.

For each accomplishment, they would get a stamp. My station was a little English challenge. I had flashcards of words they were studying so I asked them if they could tell me what they were. They were so adorable when they would shout out "apple" or "monkey" or "ball". I also asked simple questions like: What’s your name? How old are you? It was a great test of their listening and speaking. Almost all of the little ones would answer how old they were with their little fingers. Very cute!

My question of “How are you?” was a hard one for many. Even for the adults, this sometimes gives them pause because it’s not a typical question they ask each other. When Chinese people see each other, the first question is usually “Have you eaten?” They have been taught the stock answer of "Fine thank you, and you?" Very endearing when a 4 year old says that to you in a little voice.

I sat with my interpreter Charles in a room and waited for the kids to come. At one point, I was surrounded by little kids and their parents. I got a bit claustrophobic because I was sitting on a little stool and when I looked up there was just this wall of people. While I was asking one child questions, everyone else would crowd around to listen, to hear what I was asking so they could prepare their child for their turn. It was mayhem at times. The parents were pushing their kids ahead of the others. You would think that I’m used to this by now. I'm not.

Last night, there was a little dance performance in my room. The little girls warmed up (check out how flexible they are!) while I continued with my little interviews. In between groups, they came over and “chatted” with me. They wanted me to test them with the flashcards. They also started jabbering at me. When they asked about me, Charles told them my story about being born in Hong Kong and going to Canada when I was their age and that I couldn’t speak Mandarin with them. I heard them remark that I was Chinese, just like everybody else here. I followed more or less what he was saying but at one point, their eyes grew wide and they were acting very surprised. I asked Charles what he had told them and he said that he told them that Santa was my husband. Ha ha!!!

Don didn’t have to contend with the crowds but did have to do a little song and dance with his helper. I wish I could have seen it and have a video to show you all. Unfortunately, I missed it too. I do have some precious pictures of him with the kids though and memories of all the adorable little ones.