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The girls used Legos to construct Bethlehem with the manger nearby. Bethlehem has no room in the inn; it's clearly full - with Disney princesses! I don't remember that part of the story.
They also came up with these pajama outfits on their own. Creative.
Lia's school put on a Christmas show - with singing, dancing, and skits. They told the story of Christmas. And Lia had no problems with the lines she recited. They actually did the show three times - at a hotel with family in the audience, at a local orphanage, and at an English center for kids. She totally enjoyed it.
She also played a couple songs with bells. Very impressive.
Today, Muslims celebrated this festival by killing an animal and then sharing the meat with family members as well as the poor. The festival honors Abraham for his loyalty and willingness to sacrifice his son, Isaac.
We weren't aware of this holiday until last night when I saw this cow being walked into our apartment complex. I had the sense that the cow's future may be short.
And sure enough, from our apartment window, we could see in front of another building some of the slaughtering happen. "Slaughtering" sounds too inhumane, but just so you know, they kill the animals very quickly. It certainly wasn't about torturing the animals. Honestly, it was pretty interesting. Lia even watched for a little while, and she was fine with it. I have lots more pictures, but I don't want this post to be too nauseating. Often, they will donate the skin to the local mosque.
Then this sheep arrived, and he shared the same fate as the cow.
We thought this exercise equipment would really communicate the Christmas spirit.
Then in the morning, the present explosion began.
We're so thankful for multiple packages that the girls' grandparents had sent. Everything was a big hit. Here are a few of them ...
Val with her Bitty Baby and matching local traditional clothes that a friend had made here.
Lia with her American Girl Samantha DVD.
Lia and I also got matching waveboards. It's like a skateboard but with only two wheels and the middle is a big twisting hinge. Confused? Perhaps. I don't remember seeing these in the States. We'll have to post a picture of it. Lia had been wanting one for awhile, and I wanted one since I generally enjoy any type of board that I can put under my feet.
