Ayyam'i'Ha 2011

Happy Ayyam'i'Ha ("Days of Joy")! This is a special celebration in the Baha'i Faith, a time for service to others as well as fun parties and exchange of gifts. Ayyam'i'Ha stars Feb 26th, and goes until March 1st.

To celebrate this year, we made new decorations (garlands of yarn and beads), and hung our "pockets" -- banners that hang on the wall and hold small gifts for each other. I made these a few years back, my own design. There is a fifth pocket (for leap years) that folds under and snaps for hide-away on non-leap-years.

We also enjoyed a trip to an Amerk's hockey game (Malcolm's first time going to a game!). This was a gift from my brother, Darin, and his girlfriend, Pat (who we absolutely adore!!) Malcolm loved the hockey game, and has asked several times to go back. These requests seem to have absolutely nothing to do with hockey and sound like this: "Mom, remember when we went to the place with hot dogs and chicken fingers and french fries and sugar juice and ice cream? Let's do that again some time!" Or, "Dad, can we go to the place with the balloon animal clown lady again? That was really fun!" And "I miss the Really Big Moose! Can we go play at his house

again?"

We wrapped up Ayyam'i'Ha with a party at Malcolm's preschool. Sadly, Matthew had to work, but Malcolm's B-Ma (birthmom) was able to join in, and fun was had by all. The party included story time and a chat about "what makes us feel joyful," followed by a craft, a pinata and a snack time.

On the 1st Day of Ayyam'i'Ha . . .

Ayyam'i'Ha is a time of reflection, celebration, and preparation for the Fast (more on that in a later post).  It's also a time for Matthew, Malcolm and me to share gifts with each other.  This year, we got Malcolm a Doctor's Kit.  His favorite parts are the stethoscope and the anesthesia mask, both of which he greatly enjoyed trying out on the rest of the family, including Mom & Dad, the dogs, and his stuffed Elly Bean.

Here he is, listening to his own heart . . . 

We also splurged on a toy kitchen for him.  (We got the kitchen used, but bought him new food and pans for it.)  It's been a huge hit!  And, I'm pleased to say, it has also provided ample opportunities to successfully practice our "clean up" skills -- every night, just before we start our bedtime routine, we pick up all the many, many toy foods and tiny plastic frying pans, and put them away in a bin.

Check back tomorrow (okay, maybe Wednesday) for more Malcolm!  Coming up . . .  a video of Malcolm and his Treasure Ball!

Happy Ayyam'i'Ha!

This week, our family celebrates Ayyam'i'Ha ("Days of Joy").  This is a special holiday in our religion, the Baha'i Faith.  Each Baha'i family celebrates a little differently, though most include elements of service & charity, parties, and gifts.  Our family celebrates by decorating our home with ribbons and stars, sharing gifts, and being of service to those around us.  This year we made small gifts for Malcolm's classmates, cookies for his teachers and our co-workers, and volunteering to help with the community's party.  Malcolm's teachers also decorated his classroom!

My favorite part of Ayyam'i'Ha this year, so far, has been seeing Malcolm's joy in the holiday.  Despite being able to say both "Happy" and "Ayyam'i'Ha" with ease, when he puts them together, they come out a little funny . . .