Bicentenario!

As I've mentioned in past blogs, September 16, 2010 is a big day for Mexico. September 16, 1810 is the day that Mexico declared independence against the Spanish, so this year is the 200th anniversary. The central part of Mexico (where we live) had a huge part in Mexico's independence, so, since we've lived here, we've been hearing about the Bicentenario!

The kids had a 5 day weekend and James had a 4 day weekend for this special celebration. On Nolan's last day of school for the week, he had an Independence Day Parade. They were asked to dress in traditional Mexican costumes, so I bought this little outfit for Nolan:

He looked so cute in it, but for some reason he wasn't happy and didn't want me to take his picture. This one's the best I could do! All of the kids came home from school that day with "Viva Mexico" in their little heads. What a great experience for us all to be living here at such an important time in Mexican history.

The night of the 15th is when the partying begins here in Mexico. We were invited to a party thrown by a Kellogg's family, from the US, that have lived in Mexico for 18 years. They are great people to know and threw a wonderful party to celebrate the Bicentenario!

James and Nolan (sitting on Daddy's lap, away from the dogs)

Miss Lydia going down the slide

Nolan got off of Daddy's lap to play on the bouncy

A lot of the kids jumping on the trampoline

together...they all had a great time!

Lydia hanging out with the big kids. They are always nice enough to include

her (and she thinks she belongs in the middle of a "preteen" conversation!)

The Host, Jeff, with his tequilia and (homemade, yummy) sangrita!

Jeff and Kim's friend, Mauricio, did the tradition of the Grito (cry of Independence) around 11. (I am trying to upload a video of it at the end of the post). This ritual recreates the moment in which Father Hidalgo gathered his followers in Dolores, Guanajuato to fight for independence. The names of the heroes of Mexico's Independence are shouted out ("Viva Hidalgo! Viva!, Viva Morelos! Viva!" etc,) and ends with "Viva Mexico!" and fireworks. The bell (which Nolan happens to be ringing in the middle of the grito...oops) represents the bell of Father Hidalgo's church that was used, on the 16th, to call everyone to fight for liberty. That was the start of the Independence War which lasted 10 years.

The Grito and the ringing of the bell was followed by the Mexican National Anthem. It was cool to see all of the kids (mostly from the US and Canada) saluting the flag and singing the National Anthem. They have a flag ceremony at school every Monday where they sing the Mexico and American anthems and salute the flags. The Mexican National Anthem was on the radio earlier that0 day and even Nolan recognized it from school!

And, finally, the fireworks! Jeff on the roof getting ready to set them off!

The little ones were about done after the Grito!

We ended up leaving around 12:30 (yes, AM!). Nolan had fallen asleep on the couch, but Ethan and Lydia were still awake. I couldn't believe they made it that long, but we all had such a great time! What great memories!