HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR 2009

Here is Emma and her dragon mask she colored, with moi help. She carried this with for the parade and was mighty proud to do so!! Look at that face! This is the gentleman who did the sword dance. The kids were so facinated with him, they never moved!! He was quite good and talked about what he was doing so we could understand. I think I would like to take a Tai-Chei class this year. (spell check please) Anyone know of one?

Nadya and Aimee hoping for good fortune!! See their pearls!! Thanks Auntie Victoria!! We love them!!
Now, Nadya just had to try these on for size. It was quite a feat for her to fit them into her eyes!! Nice look!!

This is the older girls dance team. They did a traditional sword dance and it was done very well. I am excited that Emma will now be old enough to take lessons.

This is what my husband did during the celebration, read the paper. :) He was interupted when little Miss Emma decided that she needed the mic from the emancee. They requested that Emma's parents please claim her!! She just has to have a mic of her own!!

The sites on the table. We enjoyed all the festive decorations on the tables along with some great little crafts for the kids. Thank you FCC!!!

Emma showing off her lovely Chinese outfit. She often asks to wear one of her little dresses just for fun and of course we indulge her!!

The Red Envelope and gold coins that are traditional.

Happy Chinese New Year to all who celebrate this special holiday! We have cleaned the house and decorated with lights and red lanterns in recognition of the Chinese New Year. This is the year of the OX. On Sunday we enjoyed a large celebration with other families who have adopted from China as well as many from the Chinese community here in Mason, Ohio. The place was packed with families and children adorned in red which is a sign of luck. Emma wore her sweet two piece red and gold princess dress purchased in China by a friend when they traveled last summer. Cindi, thank you. She loved wearing her special clothes and has enjoyed this celebration two years in a row now. We are amazed at just how comfortable she appears in such a large group, must be that so many look like her!! She marched in the Dragon parade this year, a first. She wanted to help carry the dragon, but she is too small so perhaps another time. We enjoyed watching a master sword dance, our young girls who take dance classes and are learning to do the traditional dances, a puppet show, karate demo, lion dance and of course the wonder Chinese buffet. My sister, Victoria and her daughter, Sidney, joined us this year and we had a wonderful time celebrating together. She gifted the girls with a lovely set of fresh water pearls. It was fun having some family with us. Thank you for joining us!! Here are a few photos.