Boater Boy

Trying to climb out of the cabin
Really, I wasn't drinking!!

A couple of firsts for me this weekend. I went to my first bonfire and I went out boating. We spent the whole long weekend enjoying the great outdoors. Here are a few pictures.

My Name Day!

Name Days, not birthdays, are celebrated in Greece. Great significance is attached to the name given a child, and the process of choosing a name follows fairly rigid conventions. The idea of a baby being given a name just because the parents like the sound of it is unknown in Greece. Even naming a child after someone as a mark of respect or admiration is unusual.

Naming conventions in Greece are still followed quite strictly, with the result that certain names are used for many individuals in a generation. In each generation, the eldest grandson in each family will be named for the grandfather, and the eldest granddaughter will be named for the grandmother. If someone had three children, and they all produce a male grandchild, all three of those cousins will have the same name. To top it all off, all those with the same first name will celebrate the same saint's Name Day. Names are usually of religious origin.

Each saint has a special feast day. A person's name day is the feast day of the saint after which they were named. On someone's name day, open house is held and a feast is laid on for the friends and neighbors who call. They will give a small gift to the person whose names day it is, but there is less emphasis on the giving of presents than there is in birthday celebrations. (taken from: http://www.symivisitor.com/greek_name_days.htm)

St. Constantine (the Great)
(d. 337)
The son of St. Helen, who became emperor when his father Constantine Chlorus died in 306 after having defeated his rival Maxentius at the battle of the Milvian bridge.After having seen a vision of a cross in the sky, St. Constantine became Christian, according to legend, but was not baptized until his deathbed.
St. Constantine was very much involved in the church's affairs, and presided in councils, had churches built and made legislations based on Christian beliefs and morals. In the East he his often called the "13th apostle".
On his and his mother's nameday, the tradition of walking across burning is coal is still a custom in northern Greece.
Orthodox nameday: 21/5

Hello or Goodbye

This weekend I surprised everyone with my ability to wave my hand as a greeting for hello or goodbye. I was over at my grandparent's house and as we were leaving I made this hand gesture. I think everyone thought it was a fluke, but I responded back to dad at dinner that evening with a wave in response to his wave and then yet again that evening before I went to sleep.

Tomorrow is my name day. Check back tomorrow so I can tell you more.

Kicked Out

When are the kids at my daycare going to stop bringing contagious stuff with them? I was kicked out of daycare yesterday because of a high temperature. I was the fifth kid in my class to go home. As much as I enjoy the other kids and my teachers it is such a drag to be exposed nonstop to things my immune system has never seen before. Well, maybe this will mean I will have some resistance when I finally enter school. It's time for me to get another nap in before dinner. Take care and I hope to be well next time we meet.

BTW....Welcome Baby Laney. She was born 2 weeks ago. Once she gets past the "new baby stage" she is going to be one of my good buddies. I cannot wait to hang out with her!!

Happy Mother's Day!

Can't sleep--try this

Oh yeah..........this is the best way to catch some Zzzzzzzs.