International Day

I'm exhausted. Today was International Day at school. It's a day when we celebrate all of the diverse cultures at St Margaret's through the sharing of food. Lots of food. There were three tables of Carribean specialities from fried plantain to jerk chicken and some rice and dessert dishes that I've never seen before. One of the Chinese families owns a restaurant and they always provide a good spread. We also had German, French, Norwegian, Canadian, Australian and various African countries represented. And of course America, though this year the US offerings were a little sparse because I've been so busy with other things. I made two key lime pies and another family who lived in the States for five years provided pancakes with maple syrup. I was fine with my two pies until I looked at the photo album that they compiled for the previous International Day. Last year I got a whole page of the album with my key lime and buttermilk pies, BBQ hot wings, pastrami on rye sandwiches and Hershey's Kisses. I'll have to make up for my laziness next year.

I did also contribute by doing the face painting. We paint little flags on the children's cheeks or the backs of their hands. Unfortunately, a poster entitled Flags of the World was provided and the children would choose the most elaborate flags! You trying painting the flag of Kenya with an inch wide brush. I did my best and the children were happy and full of delicious food so it was a huge success.

I do love St Margaret's. It's not a perfect school but there are so many lovely families there and I think it'll prepare Toby and Rosie well for secondary school. I've made lots of friends through the school too. In fact, a group of us got together last night for a drink at the Hare & Billet... which could be another reason why I'll be getting an early night tonight.

Next it's the school disco. We've always missed this because we went to the US the last two years. This year we'll be attending and the children are so excited. I'm putting together a musical quiz for the parents and helping out on the night. Hopefully I'll get a chance to boogie too. Such a perfect opportunity to embarrass the children.