So, as planned, on the 1st evening of the Chinese New Year, I took out 2 small pieces of paper and told Kayli that we would each write or draw something that we would wish for in the year coming up, and put these papers in our special Chinese Wishing Pot. I explained that it was sort of like Wishing on a Star! Then, I launched into my best explanation about wishes and dreams, and how some people like to wish about something they wish would happen, and some people wish about things they'd like to accomplish. Then, I gave a few examples, while Kayli listened attentively, then replied "Got It!" as she grabbed her paper and began to draw. Well, I got busy with my pencil and paper, when I heard Kayli proclaim "Done!" She handed me her paper...
Hmmmm, well, we already HAVE a puppy. I don't understand. May I ask what "wish" this picture is for? Kayli responds: "I wish to turn into a puppy!"
Me: Laugh...Sigh...Shake head...Fold up Paper...Insert into Wishing Pot...Hope it doesn't come true! I like my daughter just the way she is!!!
Officially, the Chinese New Year begins today...January 23rd! If you want to wish someone a Happy New Year, you should say "Xin Nian Kuai Le" or (Shin Ne-yin Kwy La!) In China, this is the mandarin way to say "New Year Happiness/Joy/Rejoicing!" Lots of places here in America will post the words "Gung Hay Fat Choy", which is the Cantonese version of Happy New Year. It's literal translation is "May You Become Prosperous" which is something you would wish someone during the Chinese New Year. So, take your pick...I think the 1st version sounds "prettier!" (I don't like wishing people anything with the word FAT included!)
So, the big performance this weekend was sponsored by the K*ansas C*ity Chine*se A*ssociation, held at a C*ultural Arts Ce*nter in town. Overall, it was a wonderful show, with a variety of Chinese themed performances. Our kids had to be there by 4:30 for a rehearsal...
then, I fed Kayli a quick dinner and we were back by 6:30 to get a parking place for the show that started at 7:00. Our kids were the next-to-last performance in the line-up, with the show going past 8:30, with a 15 minute intermission. Kayli was thrilled as the show began with the drum roll/dragon dance, then followed by beautiful dancers,costumes, scenery, and she kept whisper-yelling "Mom, get a picture of this!"
When the lights came on at 8:00, for the 15 minute intermission, I turned to Kayli and...
I let her sleep until a few acts before she was due backstage... "Are you ready girls?!!!"
Ok, time to sing...
We were so proud of our singers!
Kayli was not in the dance below, but it was just so cute I had to share it...
The next day, Kayli and I got busy with our Chinese New Year preparations...sweeping the floors, shaking out rugs, dusting. Kayli had her "Chinese New Year reference book" that she was reading to me and saying "Sweep floors, check. Cut hair, check."
a thorough cleaning of the kitchen took place (mine and hers)...
we gave Sprinkles a bath, we bought a beautiful green plant with new buds, and already have our red geranium in place, our front door is already red (lucky us!)...
we posted our Chinese Wishes on the inside...
We set the table with our red silk placemats and chopsticks. We added a glass of fun/pretty chopsticks, that I had purchased at a local international market, to use throughout the week...
In this little "wishing pot" we will add our wishes and/or aspirations for the new year! We'll place the pot back on the shelf to hold and honor these thoughts for us throughout the coming year!
Finally, as dinner time arrived, with the beautiful chopsticks already on the table, and ramen noodles in a bowl, Kayli couldn't resist trying out the first pair...
We both discovered that our "chopstick skills" need a little refining, nothing that a little more practice won't bring! Happy New Year/ Xin Nian Kuai Le!
Although the official date of this year's Chinese New Year is January 23rd, we have already begun the celebration! This weekend, Kayli and I attended a wonderful party hosted by a group called Families Blessed with the World's Children. Kayli has been practicing in a tiny choir of young Chinese adopted children, ages 3-6, to perform 3 songs, sung in Mandarin, for this event. We were very proud of our little performers, as they sang their hearts out, while standing on a stage in front of this large audience of over 200 people! Here are some pics of the kids in between songs, followed by a little clip of them singing one of the songs...
the party was so much fun, with a fabulous chinese meal...
crafts for the kids to make...
Kayli made this craft with the symbol for "fortune"...
here, she is holding the bead-drum
since this is the year of the dragon, the decorations focused on this theme, including these wonderfully colorful and delicious cakes...
just let me lick that frosting, ha,ha...
there was a "chinese princess" to get your picture taken with... (Kayli was speechless)
there was a chinese-themed face painting station, which is tricky when you're so ticklish...
just look at that pretty bamboo print on Kayli's face...
there was a really fun dragon dance at the end of the party, followed by "simulated firecrackers" when everyone began popping their assigned bubble wrap, all at the same time...it was amazing how much it sounded like "firecrackers" when over 200 people were doing this all at the same time!!!
All the kids were given a traditional red envelope, filled with "money" (gold-chocolate coins) In China, it is traditional to give the children red envelopes containing money, on the Chinese New Year.
Did you know that...
*If you cry on the Chinese New Year, you will cry ALL year?!!! So, Chinese parents do not discipline their children on the New Year. The children are indulged, instead!
*No sweeping or cleaning ON the New Year, or 3 days after! You will sweep out all your good luck!
*The color red is not only "good luck", it also scares away any evil dragons/spirits, aka "bad karma"! So, tie a red bow on your front door, or better yet, paint the door red!
*To get a fresh start, you should always get a hair cut and buy a new outfit (now I can support that wholeheartedly!) Make sure to wear something red, add a pretty necklace and/or earrings!
*Get a bunch of oranges (symbolizing gold/money/wealth) and put these in a bowl on your table.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Xin Nian Kuai Le!
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So, Kayli was trying to get the foil pulled off the top of her yogurt smoothie, and of course it spilled. She said "Sorry mom, I'll clean it up...but wait...it's the Big Dipper!" I looked, and there it was...
