El Dia de los Tres Reyes

Yesterday, we were invited to a celebration of the Day of the Three Kings at the kindergarten at La Manga, the fishing village outside of town.

La Manga Jardin de Ninos - Kindergarten

They just built this outdoor pavilion this past year.  It will need paint soon, as it
is rusty already, being right by the sea.

The children beginning the parade.  I have a video but
can't figure out how to get it on the blog.

The baby Jesus arrives with shepherds and angels.

These are the mamas.  They were so proud
of their kids.  All were taking many pictures, too.

One of the kings - Janet, a volunteer at the school

Talk about a sweet angel!

This is Monica, the kindergarten teacher, another of
the three kings.

Primping a little, like girls everywhere

So cute

What a Madonna!

A leery little shepherd

Another adorable angel

The three kings arrive with gifts

Some of the mothers who are bringing in the
posole to share with all of us.  It was fabulous!

This is the Rosti, traditional bread of this celebration

So patient and well behaved

The ever present dogs of La Manga

All the kids seated for their comida

Gifts are shared.  The two kids on the left are Monica's.

Lisa, from the Soggy Peso, and Dorothy distribute the gifts
in beautiful bags.  

Monica with her mother, husband and two children

Bill, Cheryl, Lisa and us with Monica
 We were well feted!

While out listening to some local music the other night, we heard from Janet, one of the volunteers at the kindergarten, that Monica's baby has a serious illness - I am not sure what but it sounds like some kind of auto-immune disease.  She and her family have been living with her mom in La Manga, where Monica can easily get to and from the school.  Otherwise, she would have to commute from Guaymas.  Monica was told by the doctors that the baby can not live out here with dirt floors, leaking roofs and no insulation.  We asked what we could do to help.  Since the labor was donated, Bill, Cheryl, Jim and I offered to pay for materials.  This is why we were invited to the celebration.  It was not by any means a big donation, but you would have thought we had given them millions, the way they treated us at the festival.

This is Monica's mom's house.

Another gringo is donating the labor for this
room for Monica, her husband and kids.  It's
going to have a real roof and floor and will
be insulated.

This is the kitchen

There are holes in the tin roof.

This is the main living area of the house,
covered with a palapa.

One of the workers completing some of the work

Meet baby, Andrea, being held by her big sister