Happy Three Kings Day!

wow, how time flies. This time last year - Peter and I were in Guatemala visiting Anna with the other mom's who were in the middle of adopting their little angels. We celebrated Three Kings Day with Edwin (our lawyer) and his wife Jacqueline and family. Peter had soo much fun playing with the other kids and feeding all of the family pets. So, to keep with the Guatemalan Tradition - we too celebrated Three Kings Day here in New York. We made the bread - and it came out great! (see pics and story below).

What is Three Kings Day.....

This is a Christian holiday that celebrates the Biblical story of the Three Kings who followed a bright star of Bethlehem to bring gifts to the Christ Child.

In the story of the Bible the Three Kings, named Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar, brought gifts to the new baby. They brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Three kings Day is also known as The Epiphany. In Spanish and in South America it is referred to as El Dia de los Reyes.

When is Three Kings Day Celebrated?

Three kings day is celebrated on January 6th. This is twelve days after Christmas, which represents the twelve days of Christmas.

Why on January 6th?

The Western Christian Church adopted December 25th as the day of the Feast of Christ's Birth. This change was how the twelve days of Christmas arose. The Eastern Christian Church recognizes January 6th as the celebration of the nativity. The physical birth of Jesus was kept on January 6th in Bethlehem.

What happens during the celebration of Three Kings Day?

On the twelve days before the Three Kings Day, the children dress up in kings outfits and the custom of star singers takes place. Children go from door to door holding a star and dressed like kings, singing carols and telling the biblical story of the Three Kings. The children receive sweets, treats, and money for this. They keep the treats, yet the money traditionally went to the unemployed craftsmen, yet today the money goes to the charities of the churches.

In some places there is a parade in which they celebrate three kings day, this occurs on January 6th and the proceeds still go to charities of the church. The parade takes the tradition of the star singers, yet some counties still celebrate both.

The night Before

On the might before three kings day, traditionally, there are prayers, blessed dried herbs would be burnt, and the aroma would fill the house with wonderful smells. Doorways are sprinkled with holy water and in some homes the head of the house would write with chalk above the doors C + M + B (the three kings names) and the year.

Children would put their shoes out and wake up early the next morning in hopes of finding gifts in their shoes. The aspect of shoes is similar to the American tradition of leaving cookies for Santa.

On Three Kings Day

On Three Kings Day the children open their presents and in some families, those who have tress, the Christmas tree is taken down. *

A popular tradition on Three Kings Day is serving the Rosca de Reyes - crown shaped sweet bread decorated with candied fruits to resemble jewels. Before baking, one or more tiny figures of babies - to symbolize the Baby Jesus - are hidden in the dough. Serving the Rosca de Reyes is a festive occasion celebrated with large groups of people, family and friends, gather to partake in the sweet bread. Each person cuts his or her own slice including the children.

As tradition goes, whoever gets a piece of the Rosca de Reyes containing a baby is obliged to host another party on or before February 2nd. This date is called El Dia de la Candelaria (or Candlemas), and this traditional Christian celebration, also known as the Presentation of the Christ Child, marks the official end of the Christmas Season.

Many families go to church on this day and prepare a large dinner before.

Who celebrates The Three Kings Day?

This is a tradition in many families and homes across Latin America. The traditions and celebrations vary throughout the cultures and communities, yet the story and the purpose stays the same throughout every culture.

* January 6th is also known as "Little Christmas" where all the Christmas Decorations would be taken down on this day. When I (mommy) grew up we celebrated Little Christmas and we never took down any Christmas decorations until January 6th.


What a fun day we had..............

Today Chef Peter made the Three Kings Day Bread and he did a wonderful job. We made it by stratch and Peter managed to make a mess of himself and the kitchen. This is a tradition that we will continue to have in our home - because we had so much fun and Anna had fun eating the bread. Next year Anna will be old enough to help with the baking.

Feliz Navidad & Happy New Year!!!!

Wow, how quickly Christmas came and went. This Christmas was soo very special. Peter knows who Santa is and this was Anna's First Christmas Home.

This year, we added a new "tradition" to our Family Christmas - "Elf on the Shelf". Peter just loved the little Elf, and next year Anna will be old enough to enjoy it also. The Elf on the Shelf is about this little elf that hangs around the house and goes back to the North Pole to report to Santa each day to let him know how the children are - if they've been bad or good. When the Elf returns to the house, he sits at a different spot - so when the children wake up they have to look for the elf. Peter enjoyed looking for the Elf and it was funny - Peter was especially good in the room where the Elf was watching him, so Mommy had to remind Peter that the elf knows what he is doing wherever he is.

Mommy had her family over Christmas eve for dinner & Dessert. In Guatemala on Christmas eve, they have big fire works go off, and then they open gifts. Since fire works are illegal in New York - mommy did the next best thing (it too is really illegal, but not a big thing) we lit sparklers outside in the front yard and song Christmas songs, then we went inside to open gifts and have dessert. The evening was fun.

The kids went to bed, so Santa can come. The next morning, Peter woke up early and climbed into mommy and daddy's bed - not noticing that Santa already came. Peter fell right back to sleep. When Peter woke up in the morning - he asked if he can relax and watch T.V. in our room, Mommy reminded Peter that he might want to check to see if Santa came. With that, Peter jumped out of bed and ran into the living room and his face just lit up! Mommy went to go get Anna - who was still sound asleep. Everyone gathered around the tree to open their gifts. Each gift Peter opened - had a "NO WAY" Mommy and daddy has no idea where those words came from, but it was sooo cute to see Peter open each gift with "NO WAY". Anna was happy with her baby doll and dragged that all over the living room. After the gifts were open, we had breakfast and then daddy got to work in putting some of the toys together so the kids can play with them. We got ready to start the Christmas day.

Mommy's family has a tradition - that starts off with everyone going to Grandma's house (mommy's mother's house) where gifts are received. Then we start going house to house to house to see everyone and their Christmas tree. It's a long day, but a fun day. At the last house is where we have our Christmas Dinner with most of mommy's family. On the way home, Peter and Anna fell asleep, and mommy was able to carry them right into their room's and put them to bed. Don't worry we didn't forget Daddy's side of the family - we got together with Daddy's side of the family on the Saturday before Christmas for brunch at our house.

Christmas is such a wonderful time of the year for Children. I can't wait until next year when both Peter and Anna are old enough to enjoy Santa and Christmas.

We want to wish everyone a Very Happy 2009.

Peter at 3 years 3 months old, he is getting so big!

Anna 17 months old - with Frosty.

One of her many Holiday dresses.

Oh Christmas Tree with all the gifts.

Daddy always wanted a train track around the Christmas Tree.

Anna enjoying her new toy at Grandma's house.

She loved this dress, it felt soo soft.

Anna was in awww with the Christmas lights and

she was so good in not touching the ornaments or lights.

Peter trying to peek in the bags for his gifts.

Grandma & Anna - on Christmas this was the best we

can get with Anna posing for the camera - she was on the go.

Peter & Anna at a Christmas Party

At the tree farm cutting down our tree,

Peter picked out the perfect tree.

ohhhh Prettttttyyyyyy!

At 17 months old ~Anna did just fine opening her gifts.

Feliz Navidad to All

The Family at a Christmas Party with Grandma

Holiday Events in Town.

Pictures, Pictures, and more Pictures..........Disney World - Florida

"A Dream is a Wish your Heart Makes".....

"This is Love & Happiness"........PRICELESS!

Cooling off at the Sprinkler Park

"If I sit on the sprinkler, it won't be able to get me in the face again"

" Hey, this is a cool fort"

"I Love Mickey!"

"Hey Mickey!"

"Power Ranger - Mystic Force"

Do the Pose.

"Oh Drats - it got me"

"Cheese"

" "We are having F...U...N..... FUN!"

"Mickey Mouse"

REMINISCING...........

WOW, I just had to share these adorable pictures. I was just on the "old clunker" computer, because my sister needed pics for a Christmas gift she is working on for our mother - so I came across these pics.............it brings back such wonderful memories......... Hope you enjoy them as much as I.............

The following pics are of Peter when he turned one, just 2+ years ago.

The following pics are of Anna when she turned one, just 4 months ago.............

As you can tell by the pics, my kids are "all muscles" LOL. Peter was walking a week after his first birthday and Anna was walking when she turned 15 months old. I think it took Anna a little bit longer, due to her "muscles", being soo big. :) It's amazing how they both can be very loud too. It is so amazing to watch Peter and Anna grow up together. They are different in every way. Peter is your typical boy, and Anna is your "temper" little girl. I love them both with all my heart!

Update on our blog..........

okay, so a few of you have been emailing me letting me know that you are no longer getting those emails telling you when I update the blog. I think that is because the "blogger.com" is under new management. I tried re-entering my email address on the link to be notified when the blog is updated, and it is no longer functioning. I will try and find another link that will inform you. Otherwise - just check back when you can.

I'll be posting pics soon (waiting for the CD from Disney) of our Disney Trip.

Wow, what milestones to accomplish...

Well, Anna is just over 15 months old - and she is walking around getting into everything. She is soo funny though, when she loses her balance and falls to the floor. When Anna falls to the floor she gets pist at herself for falling, because it's a lot harder for her to get up again to walk again. But, Anna is slowly learning how to titter totter to catch her balance before falling onto the floor. She has figured out how to move her toys closer to the couch so she can climb up onto the couch. I am sure her brother taught her a few things also, behind mommy's back.

As for Peter, he had a big question - "Where did Anna come from". Mommy was surprised that Peter asked that question out of the clear blue sky. So mommy told Peter that his sister came from the same place he did, and then Peter had this look on his face like "what". Mommy told Peter that Anna was adopted from Guatemala just like he was. Then Peter's reply was "oh, okay - that's cool". Peter is at that age now of asking questions and he wonders about a lot of things. But mommy likes when he ask questions, because that is a sign that he is learning.

We have two wonderful children that are growing up in so many different ways. Anna is definitely your little girl - that can be sooo stubborn at times and sweet as a button other times. Peter wants to know everything and he listens to what everyone is saying around him. Peter is your typical boy climbing on anything and getting into anything that he can. Peter is your typical 3 year old with "that selective hearing" also - and that drives daddy nuts. LOL.

It'll be interesting to see how the holidays go with these two little angels.

okay, so I have been slacking lately - but that is no excuse - so I am going to get you all caught up now with the 2 little kiddos

So, let me catch everyone up here........Anna & Peter are doing great. Peter is patiently waiting for his baby sister to get bigger/older so he can really play with her. He keeps on thinking she is old enough to wrestle on the floor and play with. But mommy has her bets on Anna, when Anna gets bigger/older and starts walking - she is going to keep Peter in check.

The last weekend in August, mommy, Peter and Anna were playing. Mommy stood Anna up to walk to her big brother. Peter was soo excited, because Anna took 4 steps right into his arms. Since then, Anna gets really excited and the arms start flapping and she just loses her balance and falls on her behind.

Peter and Anna has been enjoying going to the library together to join in on classes with other kids their age. It is quite funny to watch how a 1 year old and a 3 year old act so different in a group setting.

Peter started pre school on Sept. 4th (it was with parents too), and then on Sept. 9th he went into the classroom like a trooper - my little boy is getting so big so quick. Peter goes to Pre School at the YMCA twice a week and is loving it. This week he is off from school, because he is sick - so he is home with his mom and sister. Peter was asking about going to school, but mommy had to explain to him how sick kids have to stay home so the other kids don't get sick too.

Peter celebrated his 3rd Birthday on September 15, 2008. We had a party at Chuck E Cheese (on Sat. the 13th) for all his cousins & friends - it turned out to be about 20 kids and 20 adults. The kids had fun and Peter enjoyed being able to get to play his games at Chuck E Cheese. The party was the Power Ranger Theme. Peter just loves those Power Rangers - I bet you can't guess what he is going to be for Halloween.

As for adventures...........We went to Disney World - yes, that is right - mommy, Anna, and Peter all went to Disney world and Aunt Karen joined us in the fun. Aunt Joann (mommy's oldest sister) planned her 60th Birthday party in Disney and at the last minute mommy decided to join in on the fun. Aunt Karen (daddy's sister) called mommy to see if she can come along - it tuned out to be a fun time. Daddy couldn't come, because he had to work. We went Sept. 25th until Sept. 30th with the entire family. Everyone in mommy's family was there, except for a hand full who couldn't make it. Anna and Peter had sooo soo much fun in Disney. It was hot in Florida, so after lunch we went back to the resort (Saratoga Springs) to swim in the pool and play in the sprinkler park and then we laid down for a nap. Once the kiddos woke up from a nap - we got ready to go out to dinner and then we hit a theme park that was open late that evening. We did quite a few character meals - and the kids really enjoyed them. Anna and Peter loved Chef Mickeys - where Mickey and his pals were. Anna was all over the characters giving them kisses and all. Peter had fun shopping with his Disney Dollars - and who would of guessed that he would buy a book at the Disney Store at Magic Kingdom - we read that book a few dozen times while in Disney.

Unfortunately, with all this fun in Disney World, and Anna and Peter being all over everything - they managed to bring home Cox Sackie with them - and that has not been enjoyable. Luckily - Anna is getting better and the blisters are healing on her body, Peter has it bad in his mouth and hopefully it won't spread to his body - positively thinking. I guess no matter how clean one might be with their child - there is always some germ just floating around.

So, I am going to attempt to update this blog weekly - yes, I know you read that before - but this time I am going to do my best on it. As for pics of Peter's Birthday party and Disney - hopefully this weekend I will be able to download them and add them to the blog.

A Dream is a Wish your Heart Makes.............