Chinese New Year Celebration 2012

We are in love with Chinese people (can't you tell?!), and we are committed to keeping our children's heritage alive. Thus, we are a part of a wonderful group called Families with Children from China (FCC), which provides avenues in which the children's culture and heritage are learned, respected, and appreciated. The group ensures that the children know where they are from and helps them to be "comfortable in their own skin".

One thing we love about the group is their dedication to celebrating the Chinese holidays. One of the biggest celebrations in China is the Chinese New Year. This year, the celebration is from January 23rd - February 6th. Thus, our local chapter of the FCC celebrated Chinese New Year on Saturday, February 4th.

Here are a few pictures from the evening's event:

Andrew, in the confinement of his stroller:

 Cherish spending much of her time making crafts:

 "The Wanderer" out of confinement (exploring the hallways):

Father and son bonding time:

Pappy and Nanny:

Andrew receiving a silver fortune cookie:

representing all the good that will come from his new life in the States.

Cherish dancing with her group: "The Sparkling Ribbon Dancers"

*** Thank you, Mrs. Rina, for all your work with the girls! ***

Cherish and her friend clapping for the other performing dancers:

The performing lion:

And one last picture taken at the end of the evening

(with two very tired children):

During the event there was a constant raffle "contest" going on. There were many, many gifts donated for the raffle, and all the money was given to our local children's hospital. I won the gift below, and I. was. so. shocked! The gift basket contains sunscreen, a sun hat, lotion, body scrub, soap, bath pillow, fragrance, and two gift certificates--one for a facial and one for a massage! I am so grateful to the company that so graciously donated such a wonderful gift!

And, the cute sun hat:

My feet are tingling as I write this. They are greatly looking forward to the reflexology massage they will be getting soon! =)

What a wonderful evening we had celebrating our children's heritage and being with our FCC friends!

Happy Chinese New Year!