Chinese New Year and a tease of Spring!

Last weekend we had our local FCC Chinese New Year party. This was Jaden's first time to go because last year we missed it because she was sick. We met up with our good friend Mattie and enjoyed the party. There were a few crafts set up for Jaden to do but some of them ran out before we got there so she missed out. We also had her picture taken but we are waiting on it to come in the mail so no shot of that yet. We had a great Chinese meal and alot of entertainment. This was Jaden's first Lion dance and I thought she would be afraid but she loved it!





This past week were given a little glimpse into spring. This winter has pretty much sucked! It has been so cold. The snow hasn't been that bad but the wind just cuts through you. But last week it was actually getting above freezing! We had a playdate scheduled with some friends for friday to go to the zoo but the weather channel said rain and we just couldn't chance missing the zoo while we could. So Wednesday we decided to spend the day visiting our old animal friends at the zoo and of course seeing our good buddy Mattie! Of course the weather man said no rain Wednesday but guess what he was wrong. We toughed it out and the rain stopped after lunch!







Well of course the weather man was wrong and Friday was a perfect sunny day! We had no problem going back to the zoo! Once again we had a great time but this time with more of our friends. I think that it is so funny when we go out in big groups and all the girls are Chinese. We get so many stares. This time we had someone ask if they were all sisters! None of these girls look anything alike! People are so funny or should I say stupid!






Jaden also did some arts and crafts on the days we stayed indoors. She loved making her necklace but did not want to tie it off and wear it. I finally talked her into it and to taking a picture!




Finally we ended the weekend going to the Christening of our God-daughter and favorite niece Miss Eliza! Jaden got dressed up in her silks again! We had a great time visiting family and also had some pictures taken!

Pottery time fun with our playgroup!

Jaden is in a playgroup of other children her age adopted from China. We usually meet once a month and let the kids play. Today we got together at a pottery place where the kids could paint their own pottery. Jaden chose a plate and then I also let her do the cup that matches the plate. She had a great time! She had to have her paint re-filled 3 times because she was putting it on so thick! I decided to put her hand print in the center of the plate. Of course she thought this was "nasty"(this is Jaden's favorite word, if anything is messed up it is nasty!)but once she saw she was not getting in trouble she thought it was great! Jaden also got to see her oldest buddy Sophie Su! We have to get these girls together more so they can play together!
We go back in one week to pick up our pottery! Can't wait to see the finished product!

1st annual Chinese New Year Party!

So last night was the day I had planned for for well over a month! Lot of cleaning and organizing were done in preparation for the big day. Alot of people asked me if I was nuts! And leading up to it I was starting to think maybe I was alittle nuts!
But last night at 5:30 the fun started and our first Chinese New Year party was under way! We ended up with about 12 families here after two families had to miss it due to sickness. There were about 17 children running wild throughout the house. I was very surprised that Jaden did so well sharing her toys. It was alot to ask but she seemed fine. She did bring a few stuffed animals to me throughout the night for safe keeping! We had crafts for the kids but for some reason once the kids made the rotation to the basement for their craft they never came back up. Maybe it had something to do with the train set? There was tons of food and enough left over that we will have Chinese all week! We also had a great cake which a few of the kids kept calling a birthday cake! It was fun watching the kids play together and getting to chat with other parents!
And after seeing just how much fun Jaden had I think it will become a tradition! Maybe I am a little nuts!!! Enjoy the pics. There are more on the shutterfly site!







Yep thats my daughter in the middle sliding off the couch. If you could see her face you would see that she is crying. Red couch flashback, funny thing is she was smiling in the red couch photos!