LA BEFANA 2009

School will start tomorrow for the kids after their 2 weeks Christmas vacation. And today, La Festa Della Befana marks the end of our 'festa' (festive) mood. I had a post here: LA BEFANA 2008 and last night we had our La Befana 2009. Read the link for the origin of this Italian tradition.

It wasn't the same as last year that every 'comune' had their own Befana to burn. It used to be sort of a parade who has the best, tallest and biggest witch. Just shows that even the 'strega'(witch) is affected with the ongoing "global economic crisis".

Our community didn't have one (Befana burning) so we went to my sister Noeda's neighborhood, Ca' Ballarin. You will see here: LA BEFANA 2008, that last year Ca'Ballarin had the best 'strega'. But last night, we were only seeing a big fire and people were asking for the witch. The effigy was so tiny you wouldn't notice it was even up there.

Regardless, Lukie had fun waiting for his "socky" to be handed by the Befana after the burning ceremony. The organizers hired some singers and put up stalls for free chocolate drink, hot wine and Panettone. Dylan stayed home with Boogs because he would be scared of the fireworks anyway. Good thing he did because he had a fever later that night.

This morning my kids had sweets from the strega and not coal. I'm thinking, since almost everybody is home today because La Befana is a non-working holiday. Everyone is probably nibbling chocolates, young and old hehehe. Well, its good for this cold weather and not everyday that the strega is this generous... so, cheers to chocolates and La Befana.

A relaxing MAY DAY TO ALL! International Workers' Day or Labour's Day, however you may call it. Still is a long week end for every one to enjoy.

Just knew it now that here in Europe, the celebration could be traced back even during the medieval times. Its marking the start of spring and the end of gloomy winter.

Cheers to all our hardworking laborers. Are moms included? If you want to hehehe... How come Mother's Day is not a non-working holiday?

CHICKEN "POPS"

No school today for Lukie. Aside from the Chickenpox he acquired from school, it is also a national holiday. It is the celebration of the Anniversario della Liberazione (Liberation Day). life in italy.com tells us more:

Celebrated on April 25th, it commemorates the liberation of Italy by Allied troops in the Second World War. The holiday is meant to honor all those who died during the war, from soldiers fighting overseas to civilian victims of Allied bombings and atrocities committed during Nazi Germany's bitter retreat from its former ally's territory. The lives of those who served as partisans in the Italian Resistance are especially honored.

lukie's "S"...

Lukie who says "chicken pops" came home yesterday from school and after putting his plates, shoes and jacket in place, he took something from his back pack and hid it behind his back.

LUKIE: Mama, I have an "S"(waiting for me to guess the word) for you!

MAMA: "Surprise"...

LUKIE: 'Brava!' (still holding his surprise but hidden behind him).

MAMA: What is it? Let me guess, another "designo"(drawing).

LUKIE: 'Si! Echo.' (yes, here it is).

MAMA: Ohhh very nice, 'sai bravo amore'(you're great my love)... What is it?

LUKIE: ELEZIONE POLITICHE 2008(Politics: Election 2008).

MAMA: Ha! Ha! Ha! You're really great!

LUKIE: I know!

MAMA: What did the teacher say?

LUKIE: She laughed!

Italians have elected their Prime Minister weeks ago and every six year old kid would care less. But, not my son with his sample ballot, rolled and taped by the teacher for mama and papa to see: