Grandma's Story Time 12/2014

For Grandma's story time this month we had a Christmas around the world theme. Aren't Jessica and Joseph (perfect name) the cutest Mary and Joseph you've ever seen?

These two were some type of conjoined wise-women. With goldfish for snacks. 

I brought my Matryoshka and Jesse's mom set out hers. We had a book called Babushka as well, but Babushka means grandmother. People often mistakenly call nesting dolls by that name, but Matryoshka is the correct name for them. We also learned about the Menorah. Jesse's mother has a beautiful one!

Samatha taught the children about the tradition in Paraguay (her mission) for the children and families called Los Posadas.  See giant description from Wikipedia:
Two people dress up as Mary and Joseph. Certain houses are designated to be an "inn". The head of the procession will have a candle inside a paper lampshade. At each house, the resident responds by singing a song and Mary and Joseph are finally recognized and allowed to enter. Once the "innkeepers" let them in, the group of guests come into the home and kneel around the Nativity scene to pray (typically, the Rosary). 

Individuals may actually play the various parts of Mary (María) and Joseph with the expectant mother riding a real donkey, with attendants such as angels and shepherds acquired along the way, or the pilgrims may carry images of the holy personages instead. Children may carry poinsettias. The procession will be followed by musicians, with the entire procession singing posadas such as pedir posada. At the end of each night's journey, there will be Christmas carols, children will break open star-shaped piñatas to obtain candy and fruit hidden inside, and there will be a feast. Piñatas are traditionally made out of clay.

The children were so sweet and reverent as they "knocked" on doors.

Sarah, Jesse's cousin brought real Russian chocolates to eat afterward. Learning can be fun!