What an awesome Ayyam-i-Ha the children had!
The way our family celebrated is as follows.
Each morning the children would open their individual gifts. These gifts ranged from simple toys and games like yo-yo's; clothes; books; and crafts. Most are shown in the pictures.
In the evenings we opened family gifts. Some family gifts included a Wii, a High School Musical Wii (Karaokee), a DS Lite (to share), a Harry Potter Clue board game, a Harry Potter Game key for the Gameboy Advance. The children were wonderfully surprised and exuberant to have received their wishes. (Now I just have to set some ground rules for using them :)).
Service, Charity, and Hospitality this year:
On Tuesday, Feb. 26, Shoaleh gave a pint of blood (which she had planned on doing on her birthday). Also, we went through our wardrobe and toy chest to give away what we haven't been using.
On Friday, Feb. 29, Anisa and Bella took cakes to their classes and bookmarkers they had made as gifts for their friends, and banana bread for their teachers. In the evening we had a party inviting our friends and neighbors.
Sat. March 1, 2008
On Saturday, Mar. 1, we had a packed day. In the morning we had our Cluster Reflection gathering at the McKie's, where the kids made cookie Houses of Worship, a garden, and Bubble bread, played Simon Says, and painted cars. 
In the afternoon we enjoyed a family party at Annette's home having fun playing with cousins (see pictures). In the evening a community party was held at the Lewis' home with a Pinata and treats.
Fun! Fun! Fun!
Thank you to all the uncles, aunts, cousins, grandparents, and friends for making the holiday so special!
Finally, as busy and fun as the holiday time was, Ayyam-i-Ha is also time for spiritual preparation for the Baha'i Fast, which occurs during the last Baha'i month of Ala (Loftiness) from Mar. 2 until Mar. 20. Today was the first day of the Fast and those of appropriate age and health are obliged to follow this law. The Guardian of the Baha'i Faith beautifully summarized why we Fast:
On Saturday, Mar. 1, we had a packed day. In the morning we had our Cluster Reflection gathering at the McKie's, where the kids made cookie Houses of Worship, a garden, and Bubble bread, played Simon Says, and painted cars. 
In the afternoon we enjoyed a family party at Annette's home having fun playing with cousins (see pictures). In the evening a community party was held at the Lewis' home with a Pinata and treats.Fun! Fun! Fun!
Thank you to all the uncles, aunts, cousins, grandparents, and friends for making the holiday so special!
Finally, as busy and fun as the holiday time was, Ayyam-i-Ha is also time for spiritual preparation for the Baha'i Fast, which occurs during the last Baha'i month of Ala (Loftiness) from Mar. 2 until Mar. 20. Today was the first day of the Fast and those of appropriate age and health are obliged to follow this law. The Guardian of the Baha'i Faith beautifully summarized why we Fast:
"The fasting period...involves complete abstention from food and drink from sunrise till sunset. It is essentially a period of meditation and prayer, of spiritual recuperation, during which the believer must strive to make the necessary readjustments in his inner life, and to refresh and reinvigorate the spiritual forces latent in his soul. Its significance and purpose are, therefore, fundamentally spiritual in character. Fasting is symbolic, and a reminder of abstinence from selfish and carnal desires."
On March 21, we'll celebrate the Baha'i New Year! 18 days to go.....
