Christmas in the Sandcastle

Charlottes nursery had its Christmas party today.
It must of been really odd for the kids, because not only were their parents there, but their tiny world was invaded by grown ups. Some of the staff really got into it by dressing up angels, Christmas trees and snow...er...women. I should of taken a photo.
Charlotte met santa, was suitably unimpressed,

but did get a gift.

And, of course, there were a few nibbles.


We have got all the stuff for Christmas now, so tomorrow we will laugh at all the people who left it to the last minute.










Wot?

Christmas Lights

We have had a busy week in work, what with competitions, Carol services and lunches (oh my!). The nicest things wern't the events, but the individual young people.

1. L came into the coffe shop with her mum yesterday. L was in the homework club last year, and is a great kid. She just wanted to wish us a happy christmas, and I had the chance to give her a Dr Who poster I had (Julie wont let me put it up our bedroom). Just recieving it lit up her face (one of the few Dr fans in Garvagh).
2. E was in thismorning, again just to wish us a happy Christmas. He told us about his mum in hospital, chatted about Christmas, and, him being a reader, lent him two Pratchette and a Peretti over Christmas. He lit up with enthusiasm.
3. M wasn't at church on sunday to recieve her prize or Bible class present, so I tried to get her in last night. She lives in an out of the way place, and after I found the house, I didn't find anyone in. So after the staff Christmas lunch today, I went back. She and her mother answered the door. Thanks shined across their faces and out their mouthes.

Sometimes you don't get much thanks for being a youth worker/leader, and sometimes you just arnt looking enough to find the thanks shining all around.

Castaway

Yesterday Charlotte was able to loose the cast on her arm.

Places I have visited.

Just to keep up with Ruth and John, here are the countries I have visited.
Look closely now, you may miss them.
This is why I don't need an Irish passport.

Dr Who fan club

Charlotte has jsut ignored her broken arm, doing everything with her right. After all, what does a two year old need two arms for anyway?
Work was busy this week, with two primary school assemblies. I did the same talk for both: produced a light bulb, candle, torch and christmas lights, and talked about Christ being the light to the world. I am really enjoying these assemblise now. I starte off fearing them, because you never know how the kids will react. On the second school, the teachers do not stay in (the reason both Ruth and I take that one) and I continually had to remind the children to be quiet and listen (hyper for Christmas), and one wee girl in the frount kept saying 'they are naughty boys'. Cute.
Before I left both schools, I quickly reminded the children the main pointof my talk, and then told them that Dr Who would be back on Christmas day (7pm, BBC1), which resulted in cheers from alot of the kids. I am glad traditional values are not all gone.
Wehave been tring to get some of the drop-in boys to volunteer to serve at a soup tea in the Cornerstone, to raise money for TearFund. The idea is to empower them to raise money for worthy causes, and to help them see that life is not all about what they get (one 11 yearold boy was allowed off school by parents to go on a £70 spending spree on himself), but can be about helping others. But, there does not seem to be any interest, and we had to extend the deadline to Monday, but the interest is minimal. It is disapointing, but we hope to try again, as at teh very least,we have raised awareness that we want to do this.

Birthday bumps

Yesterday started with the openi9ng of presents. She had great fun with the pan and brush,

and her new dolly, with knitted cloted (from Granny C).



We had morning coffee/tea/teast in the Clock tower and a dander around town. Then I went to work. In teh after noon was cake decoration.
By the time I got home, it had happened. Charoltte was beside herself and Julie was trying to console her. During one of her risky climbs up the kitchen chair to the table, all came tumbling down. She calmed down by bed time, and went to sleep fairly quickly.
Around 10pm she woke, and would not calm down. A quick call to the Dr on call, and we were off to A&E. Surprisingly it was quiet, we were the only ones in the waiting room. By that time Charlotte was having a ball. She played with the toys in the room, let the Dr examin her arm. Giggled while running up and down corridors. Was so perfect when it came to the X-ray, that she got a sticker. The plastering was a bit strange, but she bore through it. SHe had a fracturs on the lower part of her left arm. It looked like a kink in the x-ray. We went home and she went to sleep untill 8am.

All day she was grand. The party went well, presents opened, and as much food ate as she could manage. SHe wore herself out, and fell asleep before everyone left.

Time for tea.

It was a long party, and rest breaks helped.

Cake (home amde by Julie)

zzzzzzz

The two Ballys, AKA Granny Carol and granda Billy

Laura, Iris and Jen (who is hiding, and Charlotte still calls Lady, or 'No, Lady!' if she is bad)

Charlottes great grand father Victor (left), and Richard.

The only problem is teh plaster of paris, which cannot get wet. Hopefully she will be out of it on her apointment on teh 14th.