Monday, November 7, 2016

A celebratory week!

Wow, what a week of celebrations we just passed, it seems to have gone by on fast track!

Sunday was Diwali, a festival of lights. The biggest festival of India. While it doesn't feel the same here in the US, we do dress up in Indian clothes, light diyas and do a pooja. This time it was special as my mom was with us. She made kheer and chole. Dinner was delicious!









Monday, was halloween. Both Kabir and Vir were super excited about it and had picked their costumes with much thought. While Kabir was a knight, Vir was Chase (from Paw Patrol). My mom and I attended Vir's halloween parade and party at his school and then the three of us headed to Kabir's school to attend his. It was a fun day and it wasn't still over! Back from school and a snack later, we were ready to hit the Great Falls Village for trick or treating! By this time, Kabir had decided he wanted to wear a simpler costume, a cape and a mask did the trick!
Lots of candy was collected and safely hidden the same night. Hidden and not thrown, just so I could eat it!





















Tuesday, we celebrated my mom's 65th birthday! In the morning with the boys over cake and then a dinner out at Rasika for the adults! An evening that was thoroughly enjoyed!

















Thursday, We celebrated Diwali in Kindergarten at Kabir's school. There are 2 Kindergarten classrooms in school with 7 Indian kids. We all wore Indian clothes and decorated the classrooms were decorated with lights and other display.

Both classes were combined together for a Diwali presentation by the parents; taking about the Indian families in Kindergarten, where in India we all come from, talking about the diversity in India, how culture, language etc. changes from state to state, talking about the festival, about the meaning of light both in terms of Diwali and Quakerism, reading a book about Diwali and ending with a Diwali video. After the presentation, the classes were divided for craft and snack in their own classrooms. Each child painted a diya which they took home and enjoyed samosa, jalebi, naan and mango juice for snack!

And the best part, everyone got  a Diwali present!

It was really special to witness how we celebrated diversity and how interested the children and the teachers were in learning about Diwali. With the smell of incense, aarti playing in the background and the beautiful display, it felt like mini India. Can't wait to do it again next year!



























It was a long day for some! :-)




We ended Thursday with a Diwali party at Kabir's classmate's house!

A busy but happy week kicking off the festivities for the rest of the year!