Today was winter solstice, and we had a fine day celebrating.
The day started with watching a video about the science behind solstice.
Then while we filled the bird feeder and had lunch while we talked about the social history of solstice celebrations around the world and how they evolved over the years. The girls seemed thrilled with the idea that one day could mean so much in so many different regions.
They liked learning all the solstice traditions and seeing how similar they were to modern day Christmas traditions- now they are anxious to research where the santa story originated.
They danced for hours to Laurie Berkner's "Just Like The Sun". Seriously. They found the repeat button.
We made sun ornaments, we made sun cookies...
We lit a candle for each member of the family and then lit the center family candle together.
It was cute because we have this little sign up in the school room and they seemed to actually get what it meant tonight when we lit the family candle together.
If you notice above the girls designed and created the candle holders themselves out of modeling clay. They were very proud of their creations!
Sasha's:
Malia's:
Eliana's:
Then we each got to open a gift from under the tree!!
Eliana chose her gift from Sasha, which was a Pikachu hat and a collect of pokemon cards. Since she quite fancies the pokemon right now, she was tinkled pink.
Sasha chose a gift from me and Dathan- a baby book we made for her. She has wanted one for awhile <3
Malia chose her sleek, black velvet, riding helmet. Unfortunately, it was too small! Man, that was disappointing. We measured her head and she was near the "next size" range, but I figured better to fit now than be too big. *sigh* exchange in progress. She opened another one since the first one didn't work. Poor thing was so bummed that something she has wanted so much was in her hands but didn't fit.
So she opened her gift from Eliana, a gift of Pixos.
She actually does sleep in that eye mask every night, which I find absolutely adorable.
They also got to open a "family gift"- a very adorable, etsy made, mouse pad for their new computer desk <3
Dathan opened his brand new shiny Zojirushi rice cooker. I think he is pretty excited- it makes brown rice too! Surely with all those buttons and functions it can clone people or something else spectacular.
And finally I opened my absolutely stunning, amazing, and surely fun to play Matryoshka chess set from the girls. Isn't it adorable!?
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3 comments:
Whee, the matryoshka chess set! :)
I hope you'll come and tell us all about Sasha's response to her baby book.
There is a lot of information on the history of Christmas at the History Channel, FWIW.
Sasha was THRILLED with her baby book... she has me read it to her every night before bed. When we gave it to her she repeated "I've been always wanting one!" It was really really sweet. I'm glad I set a deadline and got to it!
Aww, that's adorable!
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