Yesterday, we learned about Christmas in Russia.  We had to do quite a bit of Russian history first since we had never really discussed the 1917 Revolution.  You see, religious ceremonies were banned by the Communist Party so the common people switched their celebrations to New Year's - complete with tree trimming and a Father Christmas-type figure dressed in blue called Father Frost!

We read Baboushka and the Three Kings (the Caldecott winner for 1960) and learned the legend of a little old lady delivering gifts to children (the same as La Befana in Italy).  Bunny (8) dressed in "peasant" clothes and carried a basket of toys from room to room.

We also read Another Celebrated Dancing Bear (a FIAR title) then made two recipes from the FIAR Cookbook - Russian Teacakes (which are like "Wedding Cookies") and Russian Buns - a favorite of dh.  We're skipping the Russian Cabbage Soup, and are NOT trying borscht again!  I never could get the dc to eat either.

Tomorrow (Wednesday 12/13) is the day Butterfly (10) has been waiting for all year.  She will be the Lucia Bride (Sweden) this year!  HOWEVER, since Daddy leaves for work so early she will have to wait until SATURDAY!  Have I mentioned that waiting patiently is not a trait she happens to possess??!?  We will study Christmas traditions of Sweden tomorrow anyway, since it is Santa Lucia Day, but just push the celebration to Saturday.

Peace!

Katie

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Posted by ReneeM

oh how fun... I really want to do this next year and would love to know your resource... who is the author?

Incidentally, the leader of our house church speaks Russian and makes borsch (spelling?) and brought over a HUGE pot of it yesterday... he is famous for his borsch... though not everyone will eat it!! LOL

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