Wow - we had an amazing Chinese New Year 2016 (4714) in our household. CNY is one of Briana's favorite holidays, and I am glad that Doug and I are able to make it special for her.
We started the celebrating the holiday about a week early. We saw Kung Fu Panda 3 (at our favorite dinner and a movie theater) the weekend before CNY started...
Bri was really excited...
We are getting quite spoiled coming to this theater...
The movie had a significant adoption theme, but I thought it was handled very, very well. Bri was pretty excited to see Mei Mei the panda...
I thought how the movie explained that Po didn't have to choose one father over another to love (adoptive verses biological), he could love them both equally...
The Friday before CNY started, Bri and I went to our local art station to do a CNY craft. It has become a tradition for us. This year we celebrated the year of the monkey...
Bri and I decorated the house the weekend before CNY started (it started on a Monday)...
Gramma gave Bri this amazing balloon...
The Saturday night before CNY officially started, we got together with some of our favorite families at our favorite local Chinese restaurant to celebrate the holiday.
My pretty girl...
The awesome kids...
My pretty girl...
The amazing mamas...
I can't believe how grown up these girls are now...
I brought along some dragon masks for the kids to color...
The masks were actually a pretty big hit!!
Finally, CNY officially started on Feb 8. Obviously, schools do not close for the holiday in the states like they do in China. Briana wanted to put on a silk shirt the first day of the new year to observe the holiday. And I also got her this adorable stuffed monkey...
Finally, CNY officially started on Feb 8. Obviously, schools do not close for the holiday in the states like they do in China. Briana wanted to put on a silk shirt the first day of the new year to observe the holiday. And I also got her this adorable stuffed monkey...
That evening, I cooked teriyaki pork, fried rice and broccoli sauteed in soy sauce...
That week, I worked on my CNY presentation for Briana's classes. Yes - classes. Meaning 2. She sees two teachers in 4th grade, so both classes were invited. 50+ kids!!!!
I had all my info and goodies ready...
I had all my info and goodies ready...
Bri wore her beautiful red dress on presentation day...
Bri and I were so excited that Doug was able to come and watch this year. Bri and I both did the presentation. I provided information and Bri read a book...
Here I am laughing at something one of the kids said...
After the presentation and book reading, the kids colored dragon masks and opened their goody bags...
I brought along a mini Chinese lion dance puppet...
Bri's class showing off their masks...
I did the presentation on a Friday ~ the Friday before winter break. And the kids had just exchanged Valentine's Day candy before I arrived. They were pretty wired! Despite all that, everything went really well. :D
Honestly, the kids were very inquisitive and asked a lot of questions. I was happy that they seemed to really enjoy the presentation.
Doug, Bri and I went to Universal Studios in FL for winter break (a bunch of posts coming on that), and the day after we returned home, we attended another CNY (dinner) celebration. The restaurant is a bit of a distance for us, but it has delicious food and a lion dance (and we get to reconnect with friends)!
Bri dressed up once again for another celebration...
Honestly, the kids were very inquisitive and asked a lot of questions. I was happy that they seemed to really enjoy the presentation.
Doug, Bri and I went to Universal Studios in FL for winter break (a bunch of posts coming on that), and the day after we returned home, we attended another CNY (dinner) celebration. The restaurant is a bit of a distance for us, but it has delicious food and a lion dance (and we get to reconnect with friends)!
Bri dressed up once again for another celebration...
The restaurant we went to...
We had purchased a table with two more of our favorite families.
Maisie, April and Bri all sat together...
Friend Katie was at the table right next to ours...
They had a lovely dance number...
And a lovely musical number...
There were 8 courses of food. I'm not kidding. I had to roll myself out of the building when all was said and done...
Then it was time for the lion dance...
The kids got to feed the lion lettuce for good luck and wealth...
Posing for more pictures...
Bubble wrap came out ~ it was the Chinese "fireworks" for the evening...
We truly had an amazing CNY. It was exhausting though! We made a lot of very nice memories and when CNY rolls around again next year, we'll do it all over again.
The kids got to feed the lion lettuce for good luck and wealth...
Bubble wrap fireworks...
We ran into several other families at the celebration that we have known over the years. I just had to get a picture of all the girls together. They have all grown up so much.
All of the girls below are 9 and 10 years old ~
April, Maisie, Emily Grace, Amelia, Emma, Briana and Katie...
We ran into several other families at the celebration that we have known over the years. I just had to get a picture of all the girls together. They have all grown up so much.
All of the girls below are 9 and 10 years old ~
April, Maisie, Emily Grace, Amelia, Emma, Briana and Katie...
1 Kind Words:
I have no owrds for all of this. WE have the lamest of lame CNY year celebrations down here. What a fabulous time you had. So good to see a blog post from you, I was getting worried you had quit LOL
Post a Comment