Chinese New Year celebration 1

This year we were fortunate to have two Chinese New Year celebrations to attend. The first was on February 2. (Actual Chinese New Year began February 7.) A group of families with children from China met at a local Chinese restaurant and we had a Chinese meal together. The children were treated to a Chinese exchange student playing a traditional Chinese instrument and writing their names in Chinese. 2008 is the year of the rat and one of the moms gave all the kids a black plastic rat with a red ribbon tied around its neck. On the Chinese calendar, 2008 is Lunar Year 4705-4706. Another Mom made a Chinese New Year themed coloring book for all the girls. Yet another Mom gave them all chopsticks frames to make. Hannah Ruth loved the balloons! When we returned home, HR wanted to ride her trike - it was a nice day. Purple dress on her purple trike.

On actual Chinese New Year's Day Hannah Ruth and I were in Memphis. I was orienting judges for a speech tournament. We stayed with our friends the Bartons. Hannah Ruth and Adriana had fun together. They made Chinese lanterns. Sarah found them something close to a rat - one of Angelina Ballerina's mouse friends. I like mice better than rats! We ate dinner at a Chinese restaurant. I passed out White Rabbit candy during my orientation sessions. White Rabbit is a Chinese candy. Xin Nian Kuai Le! Happy New Year!