12 Days of Christmas

 

We are going to celebrate the 12 days of christmas by learning about a different countries traditions each day.  Yesterday was the first day and we decided to start with Mexico.  I wasn’t able to be here because I had mutual, but Troy did a fantastic job making sure that the kids had a great time.  He took the kids outside to act out La Posada.  Then they came inside and had a fiesta complete with dancing and Tamales!  

Here is what we learned about Christmas in Mexico.

Christmas is called Navidad.

Mexico’s main Christmas celebration is called La Posada, which translates to “the Inns” in Spanish. It is a reenactment of Joseph and Mary’s search for shelter. Neighborhood adults and children will go from house to house looking for shelter. They will be denied shelter by the first two houses and then the third house will let them in. This will be the host house for that night. The hosts dress up like the Innkeepers and they have a Nativity Scene on display. After letting everyone in they will pray and sing around the Nativity Scene. Then they will have a fiesta including a piñata for the children. Traditionally this is done 9 times (once per day) leading up to Navidad.

The Nativity or the Nacimiento is the center of the holiday décor in Mexico. The baby Jesus isn’t added to the scene until Christmas Eve. They also attend a mass service at midnight where they sing lullabies to Jesus.

Some parts of Mexico do not give/receive presents on Christmas.

Other parts of Mexico receive a small present on Christmas from either Santo Clos or El nino Dios (Baby Jesus). Santa Clause is referred to as “Santo Clos.” He may or may not be a part of Navidad depending on their individual beliefs.

Then on January 6^th they have the Merienda de Reyes where they will receive presents from “Los Reyes Magos”(the 3 wisemen). During this celebration they enjoy Tamales, hot chocolate, and Rosca. Hidden inside the Rosca is a plastic figure of Baby Jesus. Whoever gets the figurine in their piece of Rosca will be the host for the final celebration on February 2^nd called the candle mass day. This concludes the Christmas season and they put away the Nativity.

Orange Crush

 

Kaylee has completed her first year of Basketball! 

She was lucky enough to have her dad as the coach and her little brother be an awesome team manager.  I don’t know if any of you have ever watched a third grade girls basketball game, but I have to give Troy some serious recognition for how positive and patient he was with all of these girls. 

They had so much fun and I was so proud of Kaylee for how much she learned.  The girls started out the season not even knowing what half court meant, let alone traveling but after a few games they started to learn the concept of the game and some great fundamentals.  TJ got to practice with them every week and learned a lot as well. 

I think my kids have found a new love.

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12 Days of Christmas

 

On the first day of Christmas my husband gave to me a little girl cute as can be.

On the second day of Christmas my husband gave to me 2 blue eyed boys, and a little girl cute as can be.

On the third day of Christmas my husband gave to me 3 Children, 2 blue eyed boys, and a little girl cute as can be.

On the fourth day of Christmas my husband gave to me 4 compliments, 3 Children, 2 blue eyed boys, and a little girl cute as can be.

On the fifth day of Christmas my husband gave to me 5 I love yous, 4 compliments, 3 Children, 2 blue eyed boys, and a little girl cute as can be.

On the sixth day of Christmas my husband gave to me 6 awful stretch marks, 5 I love yous, 4 compliments, 3 Children, 2 blue eyed boys, and a little girl cute as can be.

On the seventh day of Christmas my husband gave to me7 sleepless nights, 6 awful stretch marks, 5 I love yous, 4 compliments, 3 Children, 2 blue eyed boys, and a little girl cute as can be.

On the Eighth day of Christmas my husband gave to me 8 shoes a missing, 7 sleepless nights, 6 awful stretch marks, 5 I love yous, 4 compliments, 3 Children, 2 blue eyed boys, and a little girl cute as can be.

On the ninth day of Christmas my husband gave to me a 9 dollar budget, 8 shoes a missing, 7 sleepless nights, 6 awful stretch marks, 5 I love yous, 4 compliments, 3 Children, 2 blue eyed boys, and a little girl cute as can be.

On the tenth day of Christmas my husband gave to me 10 pans for cleaning, 9 dollar budget, 8 shoes a missing, 7 sleepless nights, 6 awful stretch marks, 5 I love yous, 4 compliments, 3 Children, 2 blue eyed boys, and a little girl cute as can be.

On the Eleventh day of Christmas my husband gave to me 11 leaking diapers, 10 pans for cleaning, 9 dollar budget, 8 shoes a missing, 7 sleepless nights, 6 awful stretch marks, 5 I love yous, 4 compliments, 3 Children, 2 blue eyed boys, and a little girl cute as can be.

On the Twelfth day of Christmas my husband gave to me 12 Loads of Laundry, 11 leaking diapers, 10 pans for cleaning, 9 dollar budget, 8 shoes a missing, 7 sleepless nights, 6 awful stretch marks, 5 I love yous, 4 compliments, 3 Children, 2 blue eyed boys, and a little girl cute as can be.

My Reading Group

 

I volunteer in TJ’s classroom once a week and I have the opportunity to take a group of the top readers for about 40 minutes each time.  We have been working on a readers theatre for the story of Chicken Little and today they got to perform it for all of first grade and for their reading buddies in 4th grade.  I love being able to go into the classroom and get a feel for what it is like.  TJ has a fantastic teacher and some really great friends!

Advent

 

 Every morning for the last 7 days, I have woken up to find a subtle change in the house.  One small item in the house has been moved.  Quietly but distinctively that little tree on the advent stocking mysteriously moves over one spot indicating that it is one day closer to Christmas.  Not a word has been spoken about it.  In fact I don’t know which one of my kids is doing it or if it is a group effort.   But I think the action speaks very loud and clear.  Someone is very excited for Christmas.  I remember what it felt like watching the calendar and counting down until Christmas.  I felt like it would never come.  It seemed to take a thousand years to get through one week in December.  Oh how that changes as you get older.

Charter Schools?

 

There is currently a charter school being built in our area.  (and when I say our area I mean within 25 miles.)  It is a STEM school which means the focus will be on Science Technology Engineering and Math.  I really do want more for my kids than what their current school is offering, so I have been considering this as an option.  However, I have little to no experience or knowledge of charter schools.  It would be a bit more of a drive for them and I don’t know if I love the idea of making them wear uniforms. 

Supposedly the students would frequently work in groups and do a lot of hands on Science and Engineering projects.  They would also gain a lot of experience in presentations.  I asked Kaylee how she felt about group work and she said that she has never done that before.  Nor has she ever had the chance to do a presentation in front of the class.  She has never done a report of any kind.  Granted she is only in 3rd grade but is this typical?  Does that sort of thing not begin until they get older?

What do you know about Charter Schools and would you moms ever send your kids to one?

Mouths of Babes

 

 

 

 

  “It wasn’t me.  It was Master Yoda.”