School Christmas Party

It seems that Christmas Dress Up has become something quite popular in Taiwan schools.  Several of my friends have also posted fun pictures of their children dressed up for the Christmas Parade.  Of course, Kyle's school had this party again this year.  Kyle wanted to be Spiderman again, and I was really happy with that because we have a costume already.  His teachers would not let him be Spiderman, as he has dressed up like that several times in the past year.  So, Kyle and I got together to make:

Christmas Cookie Monster!

Here he is with Grandpa. 

The teacher congratulated Kyle on this great new idea and introduced him as "Cookie Monster for World Peace".  Just like last year, 60 children got on the stage one by one to introduce themselves.  This took over an hour and a half.  As Kyle was no. 11, it was a bit of an exercise in patience for Hannah and I to stay there and watch all the other kids.  But we did make it to the end, and were rewarded with...

The biggest sugar fest I have ever seen.  Honestly, I wish I had videod the explosion.  60 children descend upon tables loaded up with giant candy bags, cookies, sugar-covered crackers, cakes... I was the only parent who had brought in non-sweets.  And I only bought a little plate, not giant containers.

This was my offering.  Mini-sandwiches, cut from large ones at the bakery.  Total cost 90TWD.  I got exclaims of wonder at my imagination and skill.  Hmmm.

The feast went on for 20 minutes, with children stuffing and hoarding as much sugar as they could.  My sandwiches were eaten fairly quickly, too, though.  At 11:30 the teacher announces:  Everyone stop eating in five minutes... It's time for LUNCH!  I nearly fainted at the thought of those kids trying to eat rice, meat and vegetables on top of what they had just devoured.  I was so glad I had gone there to watch, as I also observed Kyle and made sure he didn't get too carried away.  Actually, he didn't and I was really impressed with how little junk he ate.

I think was surprises me is the fact people still think buying the giant buckets of jellies and candy is cheaper or easier than buying sandwiches or other things from the bakery.  In Taiwan, the bakery has a wonderful selection of things you can pick up really cheaply, and they even supply plates and things if you ask.  Some parents of kids in Kyle's class have told me, they don't take any notice of how much candy etc the kids eat, and were surprised on the zoo trip that I stopped Hannah eating all the candy that was handed out, because I wanted her to eat lunch.  Hannah complained, and they told me they just didn't like to hear their kids complain.  Bet their kids are glad they are not my kids!