A different type of Party...

 

Like many other things this year, Uncle Paul's Christmas party was cancelled due to COVID.  We have always enjoyed getting together Uncle Paul's and I think it would be safe to say that our family was disappointed not to be going for the first time since Jake was 3.  Bi was really upset that Rylee was going to be missing out, so she set to work to plan a home-made Uncle Paul's.  We were each given a job and a role to play and Rylee was invited as the guest of honour.  Pictured above is Rylee arriving at Uncle Paul's - in a little wheelbarrow, instead of on a tractor.

 

 Paul was Uncle Paul.  My dad was the Music Man...

    

Once all the guests had arrived, Rylee was wheeled around to the back garden for our annual straw fight...

 Who knew that there could possibly be so much straw in a single bale of hay...

 

The big kids get involved in the fight too...  such fun when you go to put your PJs on at the end of the night and straw falls out from everywhere...

Burying Bi in the straw...

My mom's a good sport...

Gotta be a whole lot quicker at getting out of the way...

Even I get sucked in by all the fun...

The littlest member of our family... the kindest, gentlest kid out...

 

 Our Uncle Paul's was as close to the real deal as we could possibly get it.  Box juices...

 

A picnic...

 

 After supper, the Noddy & Raggety Anne and a princess arrived with the clowns, Silly & Billy...

 

  My young man and I...

 

 Connor was Noddy and certainly looked the part...

 

Our Princess Bi was Raggety Anne...

 

 

Bi is our very own little actress...  She's full of beans and we've all loved having a little girl amongst all our boys...

 

  

 

We had wafer ice-creams, just like the have at Uncle Paul's...

 

  

 

Connor hoping that he's nearly as tall as my giant child...

 

 She really should have been a clown and let me be Raggety Ann...

 

 Noddy and the clowns having some fun with the kid (Nini was a big kid)...

 

 

 In the Uncle Paul's version of Ring-a-ring-a-rosies, you fall up, not down...

 

 

 

Pa was head of music, so he lead the band as we marched around the property...

 

 

Through the back garden...

 

  

 

 Bi played her violin so beautifully with Pa...

 

  

 

 After our march, it was time to play on some of the instruments.  Rylee loves the guitar and has it on his Christmas wish list...

 

  

 

Rosie gave the violin a go...

 

  

Bi also had a go on Pa's guitar...

 

 While Bi wasn't looking, Corky had a go on her violin...

 

At 16, Jake is way too cool to take part more than he has to, but he doesn't want to miss out.  The younger kids really love having a big cousin...

 

 

 

They're a cute bunch when they feel like it...

 

 

 

And they're all such gorgeous kids...

 

 

Connor and his mom...

 

 

And Rylee and his...

 

 

The evening was coming to an end too soon.  Before we knew it, it was time for carols.  Paul was such a good Uncle Paul... 

Our singing left much to be desired, but it was fun...

 

 

 Bi & Jo...

 

 

 

Jake and Gareth...

 

 Connor, Bi & Rylee helping Pa with the music...

 

 
Singing Old McDonald had a Farm...

 

 

 

Our beautiful mom and Nini...

 

 
Things started to get exciting, when we started getting ready to sing Father Christmas' favourite song (Silent Night)...

 

  

An excited little guy...

And then with a loud bang - Father Christmas arrived (complete with a very square-looking pillow belly)...

 

 

Uncle Paul was super happy to see Father Christmas (or secretly glad that it was nearly home time)...

 Father Christmas' fairies...

 

The fairies lighting up the tree...

And then it was time for presents...  Connor & Father Christmas...

 

  Connor getting sweeties and Christmas biscuits from the fairy..

 

Rylee getting a little gift & a cuddle...

 

Father Christmas couldn't resist a little kiss on the cheek...

Rylee and the Fairy...

 

The fairy also couldn't resist a little kiss on the cheek...

 

And finally, Father Christmas and his fairy...

 

The special 3...

 

Nini and the fairy.  Nini was the big kid at the party, so she also qualified for a little present...

 

 An end to a very happy evening...

It was such a special evening, everyone played the part so well.  Definitely one for the memory bank.

I will be sharing more pics tomorrow - Jake and I have been to Kruger, so a few from that and one or two other things.  It's been an awful year and we haven't had much to celebrate/take photos of.  I'm working on myself and trying to get my rear end back into gear.

Hope everyone's keeping healthy and safe.

Sending love,

Sue XXX