Picnic Prep and Hoping for Sun...or at Least No Rain!

This evening we had the end of year school picnic.  The picnic is one last chance for everyone, from grade Transition to grade 9, to get together before summer.  I spent much of the day prepping for this event, taking care of last minute details and hoping for no rain.

It was cloudy all day, but we decided to continue on with our plans, hoping for only clouds.  Quite a few people said they would not come if it was cloudy - their loss.  We expected low turnout and prepared for it.

At 5pm, as we were setting up tables for food, we wondered who was supposed to supply the hamburger and hot dog buns.  OH NO!  That would be me.  I made a quick dash to Esselunga and bought everything they had. Disaster averted.

6pm arrived and people started to show up.  The inflatable slide was a big hit with the kids.  The BBQ dads had some troubles getting the grills hot, so it took an extra hour until the meat was being grilled.  Everyone seemed content to drink, eat snacks and talk while the kids played.

Maryann tries out the slide before the kids arrive

Within the first hour the rain began.   Then went away.  Then came back, then went away.  At one point it rained pretty good, then went away and stayed dry for the rest of the evening.  I was soaked.  Thankfully we had huge plastic trash bags to cover the food and the sound equipment.

Many of the kids danced throughout the evening, even in the rain.

Umbrellas everywhere...

...more umbrellas.

9th grade girls show off some dance moves

Brandon, Rocco and Fillipo

Of course, every serious picture taken must be followed by a crazy one!

YMCA

Brandon and Alice (A-lee-chey)  I must say, I like the Italian pronunciation better.  

One thing I love about Italy, the drinking culture.  We have wine and beer at school picnics.  We have wine and champagne at other school shows and functions.  Its normal.  Italians, as a whole, don't drink in excess, and having alcohol around children is just a normal part of daily life.  I really think thats how it should be.  This is one thing I think we Americans could learn from the Italians.  Kids can sit in pubs and anyplace the serves alcohol and it really isn't a problem.

Mr Partridge (principal) and Brandon.  

5th grade girls helping me figure out what song to play next.

Anyway, the evening went well.  Many of the kids, especially the middle school kids, and many of the younger ones as well, had fun dancing.

In the end, it was a fun evening, if a bit wet.  Although there are still 3 1/2 days of school left, this event provided some closure to the school year.