Dia de los Muertos

by JA, Mami, & JT

We aren't big on Halloween around here. I mean, the kids like to dress up and receive candy (JT says that's the only thing about Halloween he likes), but we don't enjoy the scary parts at all, and even trick-or-treating has proven too scary for the kids in the past. This year, we went to Hy-Vee and the kids had a great time - nothing scary, and healthy treats in their bags.

Dia de los Muertos, however, is something completely different. It's not scary at all, despite the skull and skeleton decorations. It's all about remembering your ancestors and loved ones who have died. So, today we colored calaveras in bright colors like the sugar skull candies.  We will probably make pan de muertos (if we get our school lessons done first), and we'll talk throughout the day about our loved ones whom the kids never had the opportunity to meet or were so young they don't remember. People like Grandpa Fred, Nana Irene, Papa Art, and Grandpa Ray on Mami's side; and Mamita Lina, Grandpa Pablo, and Grandpa Julio on Papi's side. We'll talk about how their ancestors come from Guatemala and Italy, but also from Spain and Sweden; and how very blessed they are to have been born here in the US.  

by JA & Mami. We saw a calavera with blue teeth and thought it looked cool. :)

We did end up making the pan de muertos; we can always do more math tomorrow, right? Besides, we had to measure ingredients, follow the recipe, and watch the time while baking, and that all counts as school, too.