With one week to go before their Christmas holidays begin, Ficino Preschool students were very excited to welcome their families into their world for an afternoon of performances and food!
They had obviously been practicing as they regaled the visitors with a variety of Christmas tunes. The favorite by children and guests alike was the kiwiana version of ‘The 12 days of Christmas’. The song starts off with the true love being given “…a pukeko in a ponga tree…”, to being gifted presents of kumara, flax kits, huhu bugs and eels swimming. The present that generated the most hilarity and enjoyment with the children was the gift of “5 BIG…FAT…PIGS…”. Sung in loud deep voices, and capped off with an “Eeww” it had everyone laughing. Full lyrics can be found below.
We were lucky enough to have Tristan’s grandmother visiting from Malaga in Spain. She sang the Spanish version of “I want to wish you a Merry Christmas” that is native in her homeland. It was special to hear “Feliz Navidad” sung in an authentic accent!
The children’s Christmas tree, adorned with their own decorations added a festive smell of pine to the proceedings. The children had put a lot of thought into their decorations with clay hearts and stars, silver and gold painted pinecones and paper chains. The Jesse Trees they all made are symbolic of the Advent season of waiting, helping to build joy and anticipation as we wait for Christmas.
As always, it’s interesting to learn the children’s opinions on Christmas. “You can eat lots of sweets and gingerbread stars and men”; “Love and sharing”; “When it’s Christmas we need to sing Jingle Bells”; “When it is Christmas it snows. When you are in China it will snow”. Makayla sums it up best… “It’s a special day”.
In addition to enjoying a yummy spread of home-baked cookies, chocolate-dipped strawberries and sushi, guests got to take home presents made by the children. The Christmas candles and glass terrariums were a great success!
Ficino Preschool would like to wish all its families a safe, relaxing and enjoyable holiday season! See you in 2018.
The 12 days of Christmas – kiwi style
On the first day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
A Pukeko* in a Ponga* Tree (*a pukeko is a bird)
On the second day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
Two kumara
And a Pukeko in a Ponga Tree
On the third day of Christmas
Three flax kits
On the fourth day of Christmas
Four huhu* bugs (*a huhu bug is a large flying beetle)
On the fifth day of Christmas
Five – big – fat – pigs!
On the sixth day of Christmas
Six pois* a twirling (*pois are the soft balls on plaited cords used by Maori women when dancing)
On the seventh day of Christmas
Seven eels a swimming
On the eighth day of Christmas
Eight plants of puha* (*puha is dandelion leaves)
On the nineth day of Christmas
Nine sacks of pipis* (*pipis are small shellfish)
On the tenth day of Christmas
Ten juicy fish heads
On the eleventh day of Christmans
Eleven haka* lessons (*haka is a Maori ‘war’ dance)
On the twelfth day of Christmas
Twelve piupius* swinging (*piupius is a Maori flax skirt)