Fete season

We have entered the time of year when children start to become fidgety in their seats as they yearn expectantly for summer vacation. It is also the time of year of swooping magpies and school fetes. 

In Australia it appears all schools are required to send the children to overnight camps to learn about their bush heritage and put on a big school fete (not sure why they use the French word?) The carnivals are a great idea and the children all look forward to planning and attending their schools special day. They are always open to the entire community so it is also a good way for non school families to get to know the local school. While the fetes can be done anytime of year it seems spring time is the most popular time and the streets are decorated with enticing posters announcing the fun things on offer. An eager family could fill their term four weekends up meandering from fete to fete - a beer in belconnen, a ride in Ainslie, milkshakes in Hughes, face painting in Woden, capoeira in red hill, nighttime processions in Aranda. I have personally only been to one school fete but it was impressive.

Our schools fete kicked off with some Brazilian dancers on stage. Following that came performances by every grade involving a maypole. Yes a maypole! Sophia was thrilled to sing and dance with all the other cute kindie kids. There were numerous school bands and local bands and musicians so at least five straight hours of music and performance. There were booths galore. Booths selling milkshakes, French foods, international foods, plants, books, coffee, beer, scarves, Knicks knacks, cakes and on and on. There was a cake on display made by a famous cake decorator. There was a tombola where kids could win jars full of lollies. There was a marketplace of used clothes, used uniforms, used whatever else, and used books. There were rides. Lots of rides that went up and down or round and round or bang crash. There were Big slides, bouncy castles and climbing. There were so many things I can't even remember them all. The kids were overjoyed to be there and didn't seem to notice that it was also a little overwhelming. Although not surprisingly their favourite part was the playground and we spent much of our time there. 

Tova basks amongst the eucalyptus

One of the many red-back spiders that decorate our backyard