Chinese New Year 2009

The family that plays together.....

Luke strikes a pose

Logan and Lily cut up in the craft room

Lily and Jada ribbon dance


The past weekend was packed full of activities related to the Chinese New Year. On Saturday we attended the annual International Adoption Families party. Another mother and I created the table center pieces. She made beautiful lanterns out of paper complete with flickering tealights inside and I made firecrackers out of PVC pipe we had lying around. The kids had a great time. They started out in crafts then had some lunch (Springfield's version of Chinese food, not the authentic kind) and then the music began. John was in charge of lining up the entertainment and since many of his students studied the Fall semester under two Chinese music professors their skills were very good. The kids got to all join in with percussion instruments. Lily was thrilled to perform the ribbon dance with Hing Wah and Hing Wah was impressed that Lily could keep those long long ribbons up off the floor (since she is just shy of 40") The kids all joined in with kid sized ribbons and then crowded inside the belly of the dragon as he swerved and curved around the room. This was Luke's first year to attend and he loved every minute. I think our two kids were some of the very last to leave and then we had to drag them away.


On Sunday the Discovery Center hosted Chinese New Year entertainment and once again, John was in charge of the music. He had students posted around the facility playing and then he and the kids took up one post. Luke and Lily were much more interested in just playing on the exhibits at the center than to "park and bark" as musicians call it. John did get Lily to perform a solo singing one of the Chinese children's songs she knows. There was a great performance of the Lion dance.

There will be one more chance to wear our fancy Chinese clothes next weekend when the University Chinese community hosts a feast. They have invited us to attend as their guests and I'm sure Luke and Lily will perform if called upon. Lily is as comfortable with a microphone as she is with lip gloss.