Christmas Party at Nueva Vida (2013)

A few weeks ago Janean, Trisha, and I spoke with a neighbor near Nueva Vida who makes and sells piñatas.  We struck a deal and placed an order for 20 medium sized piñatas.

Here you see Trisha as she and I carried the piñatas from the neighbor to Nueva Vida.  

We did this early before the girls arrived from school.  Thank goodness the office right next door was available for us to store and fill the piñatas.

Fortunately, for me, Deya and Brian happened to be visiting and I was able to get them to help me fill the 20 piñatas.

 lots of little gifts for the entire family, and a handful of coins in each one

 and candy, lots n lots of candy - I purchased about 15 kilos of candies

 Brian and I stuffed them, while Deya cut the holes in the tops for us!

here they are - full to the brim 

and waiting for distribution to the girls and their families!

So Friday afternoon was the girls' party. 

As we gathered,

the Marines have landed

 the girls played a game of loteria.  

After loteria  the girls had prepared a couple of songs, and a dance for us!

and then came Santa

 even the staff received a little gift!

Then came dinner (cena), 

and later - when the families came to pick up their kids they were presented with their piñatas  

Thank you so much to all of you who donate 

time, energy, expertise, goods, services, and money.

It really does all make a difference.

May each of you have a fabulous Hoiday Season,

and a full and abundant New Year!

Thank you Santa

I've lifted this bit of history on the pinata tradition from http://gomexico.about.com/od/glossary/p/pinata.htm 

and pasted it below for your enjoyment!

History and Meaning of the Piñata:

The piñata is said to have originated at the same time as the Christmas posadas, in Acolman de Nezahualcoyotl, in the present state of Mexico, near the archaeological site of Teotihuacan. In 1586 the Augustinian friars in Acolman received authorization from Pope Sixtus V to hold what were called "misas de aguinaldo", which later became the posadas. It was at these masses that were held in the days leading up to Christmas that the friars introduced the piñata. They used the piñata as an allegory to help them in their efforts to evangelize the native people of the region.

The original piñata was shaped like a star with seven points. The points represented the seven deadly sins, and the bright colors of the piñata symbolize temptation. The blindfold represents faith and the stick is virtue or the will to overcome sin. The candies and other goodies inside the piñata are the riches of the kingdom of heaven. Thus teaching that with faith and virtue one could overcome sin and receive all the rewards of heaven.

The Piñata Today:

In Mexico piñatas are an important part of birthday parties and other parties for children. They also figure prominently in the celebration of posadas at Christmastime. Piñatas now come in a wide variety of designs, such as cartoon characters and animals.

The Piñata Song:

As the piñata is being hit, a song is sung:

Dale, dale dale
No pierdas el tino
Por que si lo pierdes,
Pierdes el camino

Ya le diste uno
Ya le diste dos
Ya le diste tres
Y tu tiempo se acabo

Translation:

Hit it, hit it, hit it
Don't lose your aim
Because if you lose it
You will lose your way

You hit it once
You hit it twice
You hit it three times
And your time is up