Well, the camels are probably starving after their trip here to Galena, because finding grass under 3 feet of snow is a little difficult. Hopefully the camels ate their fill in Puerto Rico. Either way, with grass in a box under our beds or not, the 3 Kings left us a bunch of toys. The boys woke a bit early on Sunday in anticipation for their presents. Traditionally, the evening before, the kids go outside and pick fresh grass for the Kings camels. They put it under their beds and the next morning the kids find that the kings left presents for them. Since we don't have any grass this time of year we didn't do this tradition. But don't worry, I fed the camels some cabbage which we have in the fridge. The boys found their presents and opened them with great excitement. Isaiah has this gift opening down! He was so excited to get his wire motorcycle from Zambia and his LEGO set from Abu & Abuela! Kaden was super excited to see his LEGO sets that he got. With the boys enjoying some breakfast and their new toys, Keith and I got to go back to bed for a little bit before church. This was a gift from the boys to us, and they played so nicely without fighting or anything. It was a good rest for tired parents.
Isaiah showing his Motorcycle made from wire and beads!
Opening
Our day was spent like this building LEGO sets. Thankfully, Kaden is getting to be very good at reading instructions and following them so he can do most of them by himself, but every once in a while he needs help. Here Mr. Tim is giving him a hand.
" We 3 Kings of Orient(or Galena) are, baring gifts(bread) we travel so far(across the street)"
"Following yonder star"
This is how our neighbors joined our 3 Kings day party. Ida was decked out in her princess attire, Karin was baring gifts of Parmesan bread sticks and Star bread, and Mr. Tim bore the star lite up with a bright head lamp. These truly were a fun group of kings. Glad we live near such fun neighbors that totally get into the spirit of a holiday!
Keith cooked an amazing Puerto Rican meal with Bacon Wrapped(this is not traditional to Puerto Rico but how can you go wrong with adding bacon)Stuffed Pork loin, Rice with green pigeon Peas, Tostones(bread fruit chips) and I made a tembleque. For being my first one it turned out OK. But I will have to practice some more to get it right.
Food Fellowship and FUN!
After dinner we did the Traditional(African) Crackers. With a pop and a crown, a Joke and a toy, the kids (and Adults) had fun with this one. As my post before this said we embrace International traditions, so why not mix Crackers with Puerto Rican traditions. Sounds good to me! Plus how much more traditional for 3 Kings day can crackers be, I mean they come with THEIR OWN CROWN!!!
Keith and Tim opening their crackers.
Karin reading her joke
Kaden and I being silly. Taking self pictures is hard!
In Puerto Rico, they have a tradition called a Parrandas. This is similar to Christmas Caroling. People start singing at a house, have a snack, and continue onto the next house, with the previous house joining you. The difference is that this starts LATE at night when people go to bed. You wake them up, sing, eat, leave and continue doing this till the morning. The last persons house which is usually the one who started the parranda, will have a big breakfast for all the people. I have not been able to participate in one of these but it sounds like a lot of fun. Since showing up at peoples houses here at 2 or 3 am would not be very welcome and since it is freezing outside we just had a parranda out our house. Karin brought a special kind of instrument along with shakers and even the traditional Guiro(Puerto Rican shaker) Mr. Tim got Keith's Cuatro, another traditional instrument. This one is special since it is Keith's grandfather who made it. Keith and I don't know how to play it but Tim did a really good job of it. All together we had some fun music, dancing and laughs. The kids had fun joining in with their instruments and dancing.
Tim strumming out a song on the Cuatro
Karin providing backup! Both play really really good!=)
The day was so much fun. I am so glad we can have traditions, add new traditions and just have a good time! All we needed to add to our 3 Kings day to make it authentic was the sound of Coqui (Puerto Rican frog) to join in our songs. And maybe a Pina Colada would be nice but even with out it, The day was Fantastic! Feliz Dia de los Reyes!
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