Too Much Fun?

I'd say Chaucer enjoyed Maylin's Tea Party a little too much. : )

Just kidding of course. However this is how the majority of our house has felt this week. It started last Thursday with Pierson. I picked him up from school with a low grade fever. It continued to stay low grade but with a YUCKY cough stuffy nose. On Sunday the 'bug' hit me. No fever but chills cold sweats, cough, sinus stuff, achy joints... Wednesday Adam took us to the Dr.'s. We both got some meds which seem to be helping... some.
Then today it was Maylin's turn to join in on the family fun! So off she went to the Dr.
Yep! It has been no fun around here! Pray for Adam and Mom that they continue to stay well!

Up, Up, Up and Away!

Chinese New Year Celebration

Last weekend Adam and I decided to try and take the kids to a CNY Celebration. Adam searched online for several options before we decided we would go to a 'free' one at Davidson University. You can't beat free!!! Off we went! After a 50 minute drive we parked on campus and walked around until we found the building we were looking for. The kids were very excited because we promised them we would get to see a dancing dragon. We walked into the building expecting to find a lot going on... "Maybe we are early?" I said... "Maybe it is upstairs?" Adam questioned. While I kept the kids occupied Adam walked around in search of the festivities. When he came back I knew something was wrong. The sheepish grin on his face said it all. "Woops! It's tomorrow night!" 

At least we got a cute picture of the kids on the big swing in the middle of campus. : )

After a few minutes of contemplation we decided to head down to another college campus and see what was going on. We really didn't want to because it was going to cost $60 for the four of us but the kids were really worked up about seeing a dragon. So off we went. As it turned out we missed much of the evening (dinner and children's activities) but the evening show was about to start. Adam walked in to see if we could get tickets and the woman said "I sorry, the show full. No more tickets."
Disappointed Adam came back to the kids and I and suggested we at least walk in because the performers were all out in the hall practicing in costume. That would be better than nothing. As we stood in the lobby watching all the commotion the lady must have had a change of heart when she saw our Asian kids. She came over and said "You go in! Only $25 It Chinese New Year no one need to miss it!" Adam had to run back to the car to get money because we didn't think we needed it. While we were waiting for him to get back we could hear the Chinese Drums starting up. The woman came over and said. "Go Go Go! I tell your husband where you are. Is room upstairs! Don't miss anything! Go Go Go!"  Franticly she rushed us up the stairs to see the show. I just have to note there were plenty of seats available in the balcony.  Eventually Adam found us. (The lady wasn't there when he got back and he didn't know where we were! lol)
Overall it was an interesting evening. Some of the performances were really good, other's... well they were entertaining. Most were traditional... others... not so much. The rest of the night looked something like this...

Nontraditional street dancing. (This was Pierson's favorite act!)

The kids enjoying the show. I think Pierson was mesmerized by this guy!

Dancing.

Strange but beautiful Chinese instrument.

Cute little girls dancing with fans.

Singing.

More Dancing.

Violins.

And more dancing! These "Pink girls" were Maylin's favorite. Funny because they were also not traditional dance. Oh well. We try.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Chinese New Year Continues.

 I forgot that Chinese New Years lasts for several weeks. So technically we didn't miss the opportunity to dress up and see celebrations. Here are my silly kids in their formal Silks!

Happy Lunar New Years (for at least another week)!  : )

Happy Chinese New Year

Happy Lunar New Year!

 I'd like to say that we cooked this lovely traditional meal for Chinese New Year... but we didn't. We ate this  Monday night.

 I'd also like to say that I hand made these dumplings and steam buns... but we bought them at a local Asian Market.

 I will say that i did cook this cabbage, onion and carrot stir fry vegetable dish to go along with our dumpling soup and buns.

  Pierson was very pleased with my efforts!

 Maylin was too.

For me... well let's just say I love the Asian custom of drinking your soup! 

At first I was feeling guilty for not having a big celebration for my kids to celebrate their Asian Heritage. For my children's first Chinese New Year away from their homeland we were going to follow all of the ancient traditions.  I was going to Dress them up in their Chinese Silks and take a picture (I still may do that tomorrow.) I was also going to cook 'long noodles' (representing a long life) for dinner followed by eating mandarin oranges (for a sweet year).  We were going to sweep the floors (to sweep out the old year and welcome the new) and light some sparklers (to scare away bad feelings). We were going to draw the Chinese Lion and Dragon who bring good luck, wisdom, and happiness. 

Those were my plans... 

and then I became a Mom! 

I have let the guilt slip away. I have come to realize that even though I kind of botched Lunar New Years I am a good mom of my Asian kids.  They wear their silks around the house for fun. We ate long noodles two nights ago. They both average 2-3 oranges a day. They aren't big on sweeping but they do help clean. We play with sparklers (from time to time) and they absolutely love the movie "How to Train Your Dragon" (that counts right?) For now we do these things and often read "Lucky New Year" by Mary Man-Kong which explains all of these traditions and more. 

While they may not have the big celebration once a year, I believe they are still learning and holding on to the truth of who they are and where they have come from.

My kids are Asian. 

I am a Mom. 

Those are my plans.

I had a Picnic with Super Girl.

What did you do today?

Some Ask "Why"? I ask "Why Not?"

I can't say I have always thought this way. I remember times watching other mothers let their children do things that I thought were ridiculous.

 Why would you let your kids play in the dog water bowl? Why would you let your kid climb that high on the monkey bars, why would you... (fill in the blank with anything that doesn't fit the conventional norm). 

Fast forward to now... and well... those ridiculous things somehow seem very, very sane. A dog's water bowl cleans off a lot of dirt! Monkey bars build strength in their arms... Stamps all over your body... well that is just plain fun! (and it washes off beautifully, except the red :O I'll keep that in mind next time!)

 One night last week I knew things were too quiet upstairs. I heard Pierson going into my art area but never heard him come out. I went to investigate! There he was. I found him with my stamps... And the rest looks something like this!

yes, that is Nutela on her nose!

 muscle man! Watch out girls!

Really? Why not?