What she says...

Here are few things that Enna-Marie says when she talks to us:

Mom: "Enna-Marie can you help me?"
EM: "Of course mom, I can help you".

Mom: "Thank you sweety."
EM: "You're welcome!"

One time EM sneezed and no one said anything. She said, "Mama can you say bless you to me, please?"

When EM learns mama is sad, she tells her...
EM: "Mama, I will make you happy". Then she pats her face or shoulder.

Before bath time EM asks papa: "Can I have some bubbles and can I wash my hair?".
Papa: "Can you ask mama if it's okay."
EM: "M-o-o-o-m...Can I wash my hair and can I have some bubbles?"
Mom didn't answer as she is busy doing something in the kitchen.
But EM goes back to papa anyway and said: "My mom said it's okay." :-)!

In the morning when she wakes up, she happily tells us...
EM: "I slept by myself. I don't need mama and papa." (meaning she slept by herself in her own bedroom and didn't go to mama and papa's bedroom)

Each night before she sleeps, she asks her mom: "Can you give me a massage? Mama nods her head as a sign that she's in agreement with her. Then while getting a massage and hearing some lullabies, she turns to mama and says: "I want to give you a hug and a kiss." And then she says the beautiful words: "I Love You!" (sometimes "I Love You So Much!") ... :-) :-) :-)!

EM knows that it is good to share a toy, food, book, anything we have. So when a friend (or classmate) of hers shared something with her, she reports to mama or papa: "My friend _____ shared with me today. That's nice." Then she goes..."because Abdul-Baha said we should share." And vice versa when she happens to share something with a friend, auntie or uncle, she reports the same to us.

Naw-Ruz celebrations...

Naw-Ruz costume party at Brilliant Stars class...




































With the Filipino friends after the Holy Day programme...















Naw-Ruz dinner with the lovely families (Thornes, Mora-Pradas, Kerstens & Laroyas)...

PURIM in Gan

Enjoy the photos where all children in Enna-Marie's school are wearing colorful costumes and cute outfits. They had a short programme to celebrate Purim that day and later brought home some Purim goodies.

Purim activities...

Tuesday, 10 March, commemorates the Jewish Holiday of Purim. Purim is one of the most joyous and fun holidays on the Jewish calendar. It celebrates a time when the Jewish people living in Persia were saved from extermination, as recorded in the Biblical book of Esther.

Jewish exiles from the Kingdom of Judah who had been living in the Babylonian captivity (6th Century BCE) found themselves under Persian rule after Babylonia was in turn conquered by the Persian Empire. According to the Book of Esther, Haman, royal vizier to King Ahasuerus planned to kill the Jews, but his plans were foiled by Esther, his queen. Mordecai, a palace official and cousin and foster parent of Esther, subsequently replaced Haman. The Jews were delivered from being the victims of an evil decree against them and were instead allowed by the King to destroy their enemies, and the day after the battle was designated as a day of feasting and rejoicing.

Purim is characterized by public recitation of the Book of Esther (keriat ha-megilla), giving mutual gifts of food and drink (mishloach manot), giving charity to the poor (mattanot la-evyonim), and a celebratory meal (se'udat Purim); other customs include wearing of masks and costumes and public celebration. (This information is derived from Wikipedia)

Schoot family wearing costumes at home:




























Face painting activity in Gan (mobile photos):

Aliyah

story telling

Rodrigo & EM

Enna-Marie

Zane & EM

photos taken at home

Visit of Noshene Ranjbar

My dear friend Noshene from the United States was recently here for pilgrimage. We invited her for dinner at home and got a chance to catch up with her and her life in the States. I first met her over 10 years ago when she came to the Holy Land as a three day visitor. We contacted each other 2-3 times after that visit and just recently we found each other again through Maarten’s Facebook. Noshene is such a gentle, sweet girl. Despite all the hardships she’s gone through, she has a wonderfully radiant spirit. Her love for the Faith surely must have kept her going. All the best to you my friend and I hope to see you again sometime in the future.

us with Noshene and Kersten family

my sweet Noshene

Ayyám-i-Há festivities & February gathering