Saturday, January 1, 2011

Happy New Year ~ Καλή Xρονιά


Happy New Year, Καλή χρονιά...

This holiday season has been extremely busy for me and I have so many photos I've taken of the things that the kids have enjoyed, I think I'll just start with yesterday...New Year's Eve. Our children don't wait for Santa Claus to arrive on Christmas eve, instead they anticipate the arrival of Agios Vassilis on New Year's eve. What's really great about where we live is that each year, a small town nearby, the town of  Nea Michaniona, holds an extra special  event for the local children. Agios Vassilis arrives on a boat bearing gifts for all of the children eagerly waiting. We've only attended this event once so far, in 2009, since last year we didn't know what time it started and arrived an hour late. This year, a friend of mine that lives there provided me with the correct time that Agios Vassilis was expected and we were early- which meant that we had plenty of time to indulge in the cotton candy that was being sold. 

Alexandra waits for her cotton candy, with her money in hand. Funny thing is that she walked off with the cotton candy without paying in the end. I didn't notice as I was working with Foti and his cotton candy, I think it's amazing how fast kids manage to get sticky. The vendor kindly pointed out that she owed him money, so I made sure that she paid him. 

The kids are always amazed when they watch the cotton candy being made. 

Foti takes his cotton candy seriously. 

They were so thrilled. Did you  notice that Alexandra's cotton candy is almost bigger than she is? 
(...and that this post is almost turning into one about cotton candy?) 

Just as they finished their fun with the cotton candy and washed their hands, Agios Vassilis could be seen off in the distance, waving red flares.  Definitely exciting. 

Young scouts row the boat the brings Agios Vassilis to the shore. 

The children are so excited to see him. 

A glimpse of Agios Vassilis handing out gifts. 

After our visit, we went home to bake White Chip Chocolate Cookies so that we had something  leave out for Agios Vassilis. Iza helped me bake this batch and was very proud to pose for a photo, since she  measured  the ingredients and rolled most of the dough into balls before they went in the oven.

So Agios Vassilis has come and gone, my children are quietly enjoying their new gifts while I sip on my coffee and put together this post.  I don't make resolutions, so I don't have one. What I do have is hope that 2011 will be a great one, a year to remember.

I wish all of you a Happy New Year!
Καλή Xρονιά!




14 comments:

  1. ΕΥΧΟΜΑΙ ΑΓΑΠΗΜΕΝΗ ΦΙΛΗ ΝΑ ΕΧΕΤΕ ΜΙΑ ΔΗΜΙΟΥΡΓΙΚΗ ΧΡΟΝΙΑ ΓΕΜΑΤΗ ΑΠΟ ΧΑΜΟΓΕΛΑ!!!!

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  2. What a great job you did with this. I'm sorry we didn't make it there in time for the girls to see Agios Vassilis. Happy New Year!!

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  3. Happy New Year Cheryl. How exciting for the children!

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  4. Happy new year to you and family..

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  5. Wishing you by heart a Happy New Year filled with health and joy in beautiful Thessaloniki

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  6. Happy New Year! I saw your post at Phivos's blog, and, as I've said, really great picture with Santa coming to kids by boat:) Every mean is good as long as it is useful:)

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  7. @LENA...Ευχαριστώ πολύ!! You've been so kind and wonderful! I wish you many more smiles in 2011!! :0)

    @ Connie...Thank you for the compliment. I'm glad you that you like the post and hopefully next year we can meet up for the event.

    @ Ivy...Happy New Year Ivy! It was very exciting for the children, indeed. It's so magical to them and I love sharing the experience.

    @ hamomilaki ♂... Καλώς ήρθατε:) ~ Χρόνια Πολλά και Καλή Χρονιά ~ Ευχαριστώ πολύ!

    @ Krisno...Happy New Year! Wishing you & your family the good health and happiness! Thank you!!

    @ Phivos...Happy, Happy New Year and what a wonderful surprise! Thank you so much for sharing our experience with your readers. I've read very, very nice comments about my photos and I'm flattered. Thank you! I've probably said this many times but your friendship and support are invaluable.
    oh and one more thing...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! :):):)

    @ Ola...Happy New Year!! Thank you for your compliment. I agree, it doesn't matter how Santa or Agios Vassilis arrive, it's always exciting for children. Have a wonderful week!

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  8. Πρωτη φορα βλεπω Αγιο Βασιλη θαλασσινο,καπετανιο!
    Καλη χρονια για ολη την οικογενεια σου.

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  9. @ kostas... Είναι μαγικό για τα παιδιά ~
    Καλή εβδομάδα!:):)

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  10. what a fabulous tradition -- and wonderful that your kids get to participate in it, cotton candy and all!

    happy new year, cheryl, to you and your beautiful family ♡

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  11. @ Amanda...Happy New Year! Yes, the kids had a very nice time and the weather was even mild enough for them to play in the park nearby afterwards. And the cotton candy was fantastic, I got to eat all of the leftovers. ;0)
    I hope your week is off to a great start. :):)

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  12. Lovely to hear from you.x

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  13. Cheryl, καλημέρα
    Χάρηκα πολύ που γνώρισα το blog σου. Είναι γεμάτο από όμορφους ανθρώπους, χρώματα, εξαιρετικές φωτογραφίες !
    Ευχαριστώ πολύ για την επίσκεψη σου, χάρηκα που σου άρεσαν τα Μετέωρα, είμαι σίγουρη ότι θα πας..
    Χαιρετισμούς σ όλη την οικογένεια σου
    Μάγδα

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  14. @ Gingeyginge...LIKEWISE! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

    @ Ευχαριστώ Μάγδα ... για τα καλά λόγια. Ευτυχείς που σας αρέσει το blog μου!
    and sometimes my Greek sounds funny here because fo the translators...I speak Greek much better than I can write! :0)
    Thank you so much!

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