Happy Chinese New Year!

Or...as they say in Mandarin: "Xin Nian Kuai Le!"
Once again, we had two celebrations to attend this year, and two opportunities for Kayli to perform with her choir from Families Blessed w/the World's Children. The first event was put on by the Kansas City Chinese Association, and included a traditional Chinese dinner followed by a fabulous show, that included the children in Kayli's Chinese choir! The "roaming photographer" even took a few pictures of Kayli and me and posted these on the KCCA website.
At the end of the show, all the children were invited to come up on stage to receive a traditional Chinese red envelope with money inside! (In China, as part of the new year celebration, all the children receive small red envelopes containing money, from their adult friends and family) Kayli was thrilled to receive a whole dollar! Woohoo! We both enjoyed this fun night out!

passing the time with Tai while waiting for the show to start...

showtime...

getting her red envelope...

I love the green silk dress that Kayli wore this year! It had beautiful shimmering gold and pink flowers in the material. This was a dress that I bought years ago while I was in China. I bought several sizes of these dresses, in different colors, knowing we would have just these occasions to wear them!

Now, it was time to start planning for the next big celebration, sponsored by Families Blessed w/the World's Children. This year, they would have catered Chinese dinner, entertainment, photo booth, kid raffles, and even a silent auction!
There was a huge turnout for this big event, in spite of the fact that the whole city was a sheet of ice!
Kayli and I claimed a spot at a table near the stage, then went to have some fun, perusing all the items at the raffle and auction tables. Later, we were both thrilled to find that I "won" the privilege to purchase two auction items, and Kayli won one of the raffle items! I was thrilled to get this beautiful handmade Valentine quilt...

aaaaaand, an Asian gift package that included this beautiful set of cloissonne chopsticks...

a royal blue silk purse, a small embroidered silk case for a throw pillow, and a small photo album with Asian silk cover...

aaaaand, two beautiful cloisonne bracelets...

Kayli's exciting raffle prize was this tiny snap-shut silk case with mirror that she can keep her tiny lip gloss and other essentials in...

the children's choir performed on stage, and the "awww factor" once again brought out an overwhelming applause from the audience!
It was so sweet watching the bigger kids helping the little ones while performing on stage...

there was a fun photo booth where you could try on a hat, and take some silly photos...

the Grand Finale of the evening was my favorite simulated firecrackers! Everyone was given a small sheet of bubble wrap. There was an official countdown, then everyone began stomping on their sheets of bubble wrap all at the same time. The audio effect was like that of exploding firecrackers!!! It was soooo much fun! What a great way to usher in the New Year!!!
Then, while the adults helped stack chairs, and move folding tables, etc. the kids had some WILD free time...

What a night! Happy New Year!!!