Feb"burrrr"ary

Little Miss frequently tells me now that she wants to go out. She does this by looking at the front door or at our coats and waving bye-bye. Where she wants to go exactly I don't know, but she clearly wants to go. Since it's been so cold and snowy, we've had to find some indoor fun.

"Please let me out there!"

Just wait until spring baby girl, a whole new world will open up to you! Until then, it's trips to the mall play area and the library.

Sweet ride



Finally big enough to go into the play area

"I can get on this plane I know I can!"

"Bookshelves are great for helping you walk."

"Books and puzzles at the library are wonderful, but nothing compares to the velcro on my sneakers."

From Timkat to Chinese New Year

We have had so much fun recently in celebrating the multicultural holidays of our family. We are fortunate to live in an area where we have access to Ethiopian and Chinese people, culture, and many adoptive families.

Here's a little background info on the holidays:

TIMKAT

Timkat is an Ethiopian Orthodox celebration of Epiphany. It is celebrated on January 19 and commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River. During Timkat ceremonies in Ethiopia the Tabot, a model of the Ark of the Covenant, is taken from each church and is wrapped in rich cloth (to protect it from the gaze of the crowds) and carried on the head of the priests in a grand procession through the streets. The priests wear ceremonial robes of velvet and satin and are shaded by elaborately sequined velvet umbrellas. The procession arrives at a water source and culminates at 2:00am when the priests say mass. Crowds of people camp out, dressed in white praying, eating, and drinking by the fire light. Toward dawn, the water is blessed by the priests and is sprinkled on the participants to commemorate the Baptism of Jesus Christ. After the baptism, the Tabots are carried back to their respective churches while singing, dancing and feasting continue. Timkat is a very important festival in the Ethiopian calendar.

Here is a link to an interesting video about Timkat:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m83UAO2ThGM&feature=user

CHINESE NEW YEAR

Chinese New Year is the most important of the Chinese traditional holidays. The festival traditionally begins on the first day of the first month in the Chinese calendar and ends on the 15th which is known as the Lantern Festival. The festivities typically involve visits to relatives and friends. New clothes are usually worn to represent the new year, and the color red (which is believed to scare away evil spirits and bad fortune) is used liberally in all decorations. Red envelopes containing monetary gifts are frequently given to children by the elders. Lion dances are often performed as a symbolic ritual to usher in the Lunar New Year and to ward off bad spirits. Fireworks are also a popular part of the festivities as a way of sending out the old year and welcoming in the new year. 2009 is the year of the ox.

A few more pics from the events

From Ethiopian princess

To Chinese Chic

Walking with my cousin