Grandma Merlin with Brock and Maddy.

Maple Leaf Playground

Vampire Grandma looking to position Brock's neck just right.

Voila! Time to sink those fangs!

Grandma not one to show favorites, decides to toss Maddy to the Orangutans!

Grandma, Mom, Maddy, Brock celebrating Noruz.

Tracey, Aliya, Amanda, our hosts for Noruz.

We celebrated Noruz, or New Day at the Ghassaei house. Noruz is the celebration of the Spring Equinox. It is the most cherished of all the Iranian festivals and is celebrated by all. This occasion has been renowned in one form or another by all the major cultures of ancient Mesopotamia. What we have today as Noruz with its' uniquely Iranian characteristics has been celebrated for at least 3,000 years and is deeply rooted in the rituals and traditions of the Zoroastrian belief system in the Sassanid period.