Christmas Parties for the kids and grownups--All in one night!

We had a crazy 2 weeks in December, as Jones was studying for exams and then taking them.  Final exams here are a big deal.  You dress up in sub-fusc (black suit, white tie, black gown) and go take your exam in a formal room with all your other coursemates.  It's like taking the SATs in white tie attire every day for a week.  So, stress levels were high around our house.  The kids and I missed seeing Jones, and he was just trying to pass his exams.  We finally made it to the day of his last exam.  That night, there was a kids Christmas party at the Business School, followed immediately by the grown up's Gala.

Unlike some of the smarter moms in the class, who did not attend the kids party to stay home and primp, I went to the kids party.  It was a really great time, which was what I expected after attending their family day in September.  There was a magician, face painting (of course) and Father Christmas himself.  

After the kid party, we took a cab home, ran upstairs to change clothes, greeted the babysitter, and then ran to the Gala, which was held at one of the colleges here in Oxford with a big traditional dining hall.  We had a great time, and enjoyed being amongst some fun people in Jones's class, who were all too ready to celebrate the end of exams, and a nice break from classes!