My Chinese New Year Presentation To Bri's Class

Well, my very first presentation to Briana's kindergarten class was a very big success. At the beginning of the school year, I asked Briana's teacher, Mrs. R, if I could be a mystery reader during CNY and read the kids a CNY book. A few weeks ago, she told me I could actually have an entire hour on the morning of the 27th, so I told her I would read a couple of books, have a couple of crafts prepared for the kids and also bring in some goody bags for them to bring home.

I need to preface something though before I continue. I am not an expert when it comes to all things China. I am not expert when it comes to Chinese New Year. I don't ever want to present myself as being some kind of expert. Briana entered my life only 4 years ago. I started studying up on Chinese culture about a year before she came along. But I did not grow up in the Chinese culture, so I don't know all the traditions by heart. I was actually very nervous about going to talk to the kids because I am not as familiar with everything regarding Chinese New Year as someone growing up with the holiday would be. I do know a lot. But I don't know it all. I went and did this because this holiday is important to Briana (and to me) and she felt very special that day. I can tell how proud she is of who she is and where she came from. So all my preparation for that day was totally worth it. And it was a double bonus when Doug was available to come and help me out that day.

I had all the bags ready to go (inside I had panda cookies, red envelopes with chocolate coins inside, pencils, pads and slide drums)...

Briana opted to wear cowgirl boots with her Chinese silk and I decided not to fight her on it that day. She looked super cute...

I talked a little about the history of CNY and then I read two books to them. I also discussed the Chinese Zodiac. They loved finding out that some of them were Roosters and some were Dogs...

The absolutely loved the crafts! I had them put together Chinese lanterns and color dragon faces...

Mrs. R did a review after my presentation and asked the kids what they learned. They repeated a lot of the things I had talked about such as red being a lucky color, this being the year of the dragon and long noodles and dumplings being eaten on Chinese New Year's Eve. Mrs. R asked if they enjoyed it and all the kids really did. One little boy even said, "I am ALWAYS going to remember this." I walked away that day from the school with a smile. I did pretty good if I do say so myself. ;D

Miss B And Her New Glasses

Miss B and I picked up her new glasses on Thursday afternoon and she couldn't have been more excited. The doctor said she is to wear them all the time, so that is what she is doing. I think Briana was almost more excited about the cool blue case that came with her Jessica McClintock frames. She has worn her glasses every day so far without one complaint. I am thinking they are working for her. So far, so good!

A Super Fun Get Together

Last Saturday, Doug, Bri and I had a few friends over for some food and Rock Band. I guess having a Rock Band party in January is getting to be a bit of a tradition. Two of the families that we invited to our get together had ever met each other. We (Doug, Bri and I) and the "T" family were mutual friends with both the "B" and "P" families, but those two families had not met each other yet and was most certainly overdue. All the kids had a blast together - and the parents did too. Coming a little later in the evening were our friends that moved here from California and it was time they met everyone!

Bri and I decorated for CNY that morning, so it was perfect for our little get together...

Everyone brought food to eat and I had cooked some myself, so we were definitely not short in the food or drink department. Hopefully we can all get together again soon!

PS - I love how much G (in the last picture) was getting into the music!

100 Days Of School

Monday was not only the first day of CNY, but it was also the 100 days of school celebration! The kindergartners were asked to dress like 100 year old people. Some powder in her hair, pearls and silly glasses did the trick I think!

Hey there missy...

And Briana had to present a project of 100 things on a poster. I suggested to her horses and she loved the idea. She and I worked on her project on Sunday. We did a potpourri of pictures, drawings, stamps and stickers...

I can't believe 100 days of elementary school has passed. I was worried  I  she would never make it past day one. Look at her now. :D

Dragon Crafting

Last Friday right after school, I brought Briana to a local art center where we met Angela and her gang to make colorful dragons for CNY. I have to thank the art center because all of these pictures were taken by them. I didn't bring my camera (shocking I know) and only had my camera phone. My pictures were not even close in comparison. I took these from their FB page and they are great! Rebecca and her girls were also there to enjoy all the fun! Laney wanted to do everything that Briana did and it was so cute. Their dragons came out quite similar not so coincidentally. :D

Here are all the photos that I did not take, heh...

Of all the photos I did take with my camera phone, this one came out the best...

Briana and I are most definitely going back to this art center to craft. And they have summer camps too. A big find because you know my girl absolutely loves art. This is right up her alley!

Chinese New Year Eve 2012

Sunday evening, we joined a few China adoptive families/friends for a delicious CNY's Eve Dinner at one of our favorite local Chinese restaurants. All the kids dressed in their cutest outfits and we all feasted on delicious Chinese food. The kids received red envelopes and I also passed out adorable mini slide drums I bought and I'm sure all the parents were thrilled with me about that (I did pass them out right before we all headed home - not during dinner!). Snort. It was such a nice evening! Enjoy all the pictures and please do not pay attention to the knife Briana decided to wield in one of the photos. It was promptly taken away from her after that - heh.

Xīn Nián Kuài Lè

Happy New Year 2012!! Welcome Year Of The Dragon!!

I am so grateful to my amazing daughter that has brought this wonderful holiday and her beautiful culture into my life. She has added to and enriched my life more than she will ever know.

A Little Certain Someone Needs Glasses

Miss B is getting glasses! These are the frames she picked out. Isn't she adorable? We get the finished product in a few days.

Briana's teacher noticed that she was leaning in a bit when she was reading or looking at things. I noticed it too. So, a thorough exam was needed. I checked her out of school an hour early on Tuesday and we headed to the eye doctor. Briana did unbelievably well during the exam. When the nurse put the stinging eye drops in to dilate her eyes, she hardly flinched. The nurse was shocked at how well she did! Here she is waiting for the doctor to come in...

I was expecting to come out with him saying she needed reading glasses, but her exam proved differently. She has 20/30 in both eyes with an astigmatism, so she needs to wear her glasses all the time. So, she isn't too bad really. He will evaluate her again in about a month. Bri wanted glasses so badly that she probably would have melted down if she didn't get them. I am very glad she wants them (sigh of relief).

She looked so sassy going to school the morning of the exam...

And she was mega excited when she realized her raincoat matched her outfit that day...

I will of course post more pictures when she gets her glasses. Let's hope she doesn't break them within the first week!