I know a few folks have been waiting for some Happy Chinese New Year Picts-- I'm sorry that it has taken me some time. We've been so busy. Wim had surgery to fix his ACL and Miniscus-- not to mention all the cold, snowy weather we've had this winter.
We've been doing and doing for Chinese New Year! On separate days I brought cupcakes decorated with bunnies and oranges to each of the girl's classrooms and we hosted a Happy Chinese Party! The girls had lots of fun and Josie especially enjoyed showing off some of our party decorations that we purchased in China. Most popular was our set of Lion Dancer marionetts (Sp-- yes my spelling is terrible and I'm not always up for using spell check for blogging). Of course, with 3 and 4 year olds checking out the marionttes this also meant a couple nights to untangle the strings. ;-D
A nearby University hosts a China play group that pairs children adopted from China with an Asian Student-- this group hosted a Lion Dance performance on Saturday. Above-- the girls dressed to the Nines in their Chinese dresses that they picked out ready and eager to go to the party.
Clara Rose Chatting it up with her Univeristy play mate and working on a red envelope craft.
After the crafts, we all walked to a different building on campus for the Lion Dance and Kung Fu Show.
A Red Lion Costume-- There were two a red one and a green one.
The Liona Dance can be a little scary for little people (as Josie says). This year it seemed that Josie was mostly scared of the man wearing the mask than the Lions. She sat on my lap with her coat over her head-- peeking out from time to time.
Clara Rose started out sitting on the floor with her playmate. When they brought out the Lion costumes, she quickly moved to my lap. When the drummers started drumming and the Lions began dancing, she quickly moved under the table-- pretty much a repeat from last year. She still wanted to see the show--but she wanted to be well protected from the Lions.
After the Lion Dance, which is to bring in good luck, there was a Kung Fu performance and both girls enjoyed watching the show.
After the show, the performers brought out a few smaller Lion costumes for the kids to see up close.
Needless to say, both 'gurls' really liked this pretty purple Dragon (they call them dragons).
After the event at the University we went to McD's with two other families (I know not Chinese-- but they have a play area for the kids and that is where the kids wanted to go). The girls were excited to spend some of their lucky money from the red envelopes Wim and I gave them and play with their friends.
Sunday we had our big FCC Chinese New Year Party! The girls were very excited for this party-- and another reason why I've been so busy. I did some help with the party planning for this event and we had close to 90 adults and about 70 children attend!
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| Clara Rose tasting tea with a couple friends-- she luuuuuvs her tea! |
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| The All Girls Allowed Table I set up with information about the new charity. |
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| Clara Rose at one of the craft tables-- arts and crafts are a fave thing for her. |
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| Josie trying out a chinese yo yo. |
Josie and Clara Rose had a lot of fun playing wtih the Chinese Yo Yos!
They spent close to 1/2 hour playing with them.
Mei Mei, a local Chinese song and dance school did a very cute performance.
One of the girls' friends was in the show.
Me and the girls at a safe distance from the stage-- you guessed it.
Another Lion Dance is coming up and the girls wanted a nice SAFE spot to watch.
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| Josie, Liliana, and Clara Rose at intermission-- safety in numbers for the big Lion Dance show! |
Clara Rose was quite the brave little girl-- she watched the entire Lion Dance Show without flinching-- laughing and clapping from the safest seat in the house-- sitting on her Daddy's shoulders.
