Fastelavn

It's strange being here for over a year now, and now that we know more of what is going on, we are now having some of the same experiences again.  Like Fastelavn.
This was the first "holiday" we experienced in Denmark last year and it was quite strange.  We knew what to expect this year and the kids loved it and are already talking about what they will dress up as next year. 
Fastelavn is the name for Denmark's Carnival.  It is a little similar to Halloween.  Where the kids dress up and eat treats.  That's really about it.  It use to have something to do with Lent, but now it is just a fun day for kids.  The kids all did several activities at their schools.  They made masks, had a little party where they got to wear their costumes, they had to try to eat a pastry off a rope and Lexi and Noah got to make something called Fastelavnris.  It's basically a bunch of twigs and sticks tied together with some decorations on it, like feathers, beads, etc. 

 The custom is that the kids get to go in and "flog" their parents with them until they wake up on Fastelavns Sunday and give them a Fastelavnsboller. (pastry)  I guess this tradition originates as an old fertility ritual.  Ok.....  Anyway....
We also got to go to our Ward's Fastelavn party.  The kids got to take turns hitting the barrels with the cats on them (instead of in them - which is how they use to do it.)  These are no weak pinata's.  The kids probably spent 20 minutes or more whacking them with a wooden stick until they broke apart.  Noah knocked the first slat off of his, so he was crowned the Kattedronning. (Queen of Cats)  Lexi also won the award for the cutest costume.  Myra was a little sad she didn't get any sort of award, so she's been talking a lot about what to wear next year and how she can hit the barrel harder.  Funny girl.  Then we all finished off the activity with a Fastelavnsboller.  Fun day.

Chad even took a turn.

Myra eating a pastry off a string.

I wish I had a video of this, so funny!  He just walked around and around in a circle trying to take a bite of it, then finally gave up and just slumped over and stood there, so sad.