Today was Bluet's official kindergarten birthday. They take it seriously here. First, we had to make some kind of treat for all 20 kids in the class - we made cookies with smarties. Then I had to go with Bluet to school and hang around through the festivities. They do the same thing for all the kids as Bluet knew what she was doing. First, she got to sit at the head of the class at a special desk, where there were toys she was allowed to play with while all the other kids toys had been put away. There were some songs, birthday related and not. The teacher gave Bluet a knitted bird as a present which she loves. At one point, she had to pick a friend to dance around in the circle of kids sitting in their chairs, which she loved (she chose Tara, one of the other kids who speaks English). There was a bit where anyone who wanted could put up their hand, come over, and give Bluet birthday wishes. There were 5 tea lights, and songs about the number 5, and a dice where they had to do something each time the teacher showed the number 5. Then some kids made an arch with their hands, and Bluet went underneath, followed by everyone else. There was a conga line. But I think the thing Bluet enjoyed most was when she got to stand on a chair with a drum, which she banged while the other children danced. When she stopped, she would do something with the drum stick, like spin it round, and they would have to copy what she did. Each time the one who was slowest, or did the wrong thing was eliminated. Then everyone got to eat their cookie.
After that (which took about an hour), it was back to normal. Everyone had to draw around their hand and colour it in, for some reason. Strangely when Emily went to kindergarten Bluet also had to draw round her hand to make an Easter rabbit. So I assume this is what they learn most days. Then after snack time (even I got a coffee) it was time to play outside, and Bluet told me I could go home. Overall, it was surprisingly entertaining, and nice to see what Bluet does, and who she spends her time with every day.
