Showing posts with label santa parade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label santa parade. Show all posts

December 4, 2011

Feeling Christmassy

I put up our Christmas tree two weeks before advent in the hope that it would evoke some Christmas feeling in me. I think it probably did, but the feeling didn't last long. You can't blame me really. The kids don't get along with  the Christmas tree at all.

They were very much in awe of it when I first put it up, but after some time the novelty wore off. It has now become their favourite spot when playing tag and on many occasions, it has fallen over. The tree has gone through so many hardships, it is now crooked. Plus, the ornaments are all over the place; as in they have no common theme.

Despite its shortcomings, the tree somehow serves its pupose - as a reminder that Christmas is drawing near. Deep down, I do feel excited about the season but I'm trying hard to stifle this excitement. If I don't do that, all hell will break loose. What will happen? Well, knowing me, I'll probably shove my thesis aside for a month and start doing Christmassy activities like shopping, planning Christmas outings, thinking about my outfit, contemplating on what to do with my hair and just waste time entertaining myself.

All the above activities spell DANGER.
I can't afford to waste time cos I have to to finish my writing asap. That's why I need to focus on my work and NOT let the festive feeling take control of me. I have managed to do that until today. This afternoon, my family and I went to this wonderful Santa Parade along Riccarton road and since then, I've been feeling crazy-excited. How could I not? The performers at the parade looked so cheerful in their Christmas outifits, smiling and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. I couldn't help but feel the joy.

I had planned to take heaps of photos during the parade but after only 15 minutes, the battery went dead. I had no choice but to use my cell phone. The culprits behind the weak battery were none other than the Alden and Alva. They unplugged the battery charger from the socket before the battery was fully recharged and neither hubby nor I were aware of this. It was frustrating alright.

Having said that, the photos didn't turn out as bad as I thought. These are some of the okay ones I took.

















Yeah..The Christmas feeling is definitely in the air now. Although I'm not spiritually prepared for it, I am certainly enjoying the warm feelings and happy thoughts brought by this parade. Happy Advent everyone!

December 5, 2010

'Tis the Season to be Jolly

This year's Christmas would be our third away from home and if everything goes right, it may also be our last  in NZ. With less than 12 months to go, I'm starting to feel a wee bit sentimental about leaving Christchurch and to tell you the truth, I don't really understand why. Maybe it's the season...Maybe it's me being melancholic...Or maybe it's a symptom of PMS. Oh. Whatever...

With the realization that it could be my very last Christmas here, I've decided to make it my best ever. Now one of the things in my Must-Do list is to go to the Santa Claus Parade and take photos. The parade is held every year to celebrate the official opening of Christmas and it is anticipated by absolutely everyone, young and old. It's really a wonderful event cos  there's something for everybody like street entertainment,  good bargains, chocolate wheels, lucky draws, food stalls, kids' rides, helicopter rides and free lollies. I've been to one in 2008 but at that time I was pregnant, bloated and temperamental. In short, I didn't have a good time. This year was different cos I am none of those.

So yesterday, we went to the Santa Parade in Kaiapoi and as I've imagined, the kids loved it. We had ice cream and lollies and chips and oh! I got this cool make-up bag for $2.00.

It comes with blingy stickers

you get to decorate the bag with the blings :)
Bargains were everywhere and lots of stalls were having pre-Christmas sales. So yeah, it was a very successful outing for me. For once my kids were happy to leave me in peace and not drive me nuts. Too bad I couldn't leave them there.

Now I'll leave you with pictures so you'll get a better glimpse of the whole event. Enjoy :)


A building damaged by the big quake

Alden dropped his icre cream on the ground so he had to take daddy's..
See the cone lying on the road?



Prince William on the unicycle??




Silly Molly



Caged sheep and kids




The town's fire brigade



One of Alden's favourites

A vintage truck


A shop promoting its mobility scooters


A big version of Trevor from Thomas the Tank Engine

Vintage cars




And finally Santa Claus :)