Gung Hey Fat Choy

Yesterday was Chinese New Year. What a day! Somehow it didn't seem as stressful as it usually is. That's a good thing, isn't it??? But it has been a stressful week. I'm utterly exhausted! All that running around we had to do preparing. The housecleaning, buying of candy and cookies, the Chinese New Year shopping, clothes shopping, the endless laundry. Yikes! I guess that's what this week's theme was, huh? Chinese New Year! lol I still do have a couple of crafts that I had wanted to do. The paper dragon and the lantern. We could work on them this weekend. The beauty of Chinese New Year is that it lasts two weeks! And I still have to read the book I got from the library. I believe it's Sam and the lucky money.

We begin with our Chinese New Year traditions as home. We wake up and greet each other with a "Gung Hey Fat Choy!" I gave red envelopes to the boys and Daddy along with good blessings. For the boys, wishes for good health and wishes for growing up healthy and strong. For Daddy, wishes for good health, wishes for good fortunes in business and wishes for promotions at work. The boys put on their new clothes. Red, of course. Luckily, in the beginning of the week, I found, with the boys' approval, these red Lightning McQueen shirts. Daddy and I put on our new clothes. Then we all got a piece of Chinese New Year candy to kick off our new year with a sweet start. Then a quick little breakfast for us to tide us over until we got to the grandparents. It did take us an hour and a half to get out of the house. I spent an hour packing snacks! I had to be prepared because there might not be suitable things for LJ to eat at the homes we visit. It's a good thing I did.

We went to visit Grandma and Grandpa H first thing. The boys were hesitant at first, as usual. But then again they did wish everyone "Gung Hey Fat Choy" as we taught them to. Well, LJ said "Fat Choy Choy..." Which was still very cute and everyone who heard was amused by it! We had the morning Chinese New Year vegetarian meal. Well, it was supposed to be vegetarian but there was a dish of chicken and a dish of shrimp. Not exactly vegetarian fare. Hmmmm... Then we went to Great Grandma L to visit. The boys had a great time snacking. TJ fell in love with the shelled peanuts. Then it was off to Great Grand Aunt's house. We managed to still be able to see Grand Auntie M and Grandauntie D and Granduncle M. TJ had a blast playing with Max, his cousin, sort of. Second cousin, maybe. I get all confused with this family tree thing. lol But it was sweet, though. When we were leaving, TJ asked Max to come to our house to play. Oh, and how could I forget. Max had greeted us at the door when we first got there. He says "Hi, Justin!" excitedly. He confused TJ with another little boy he knows. Then after his mother corrected him, Max says to TJ "I love you!" So sweet. This was all when we were still standing outside the doorway waiting to go in. lol Then last but not least we went to Grandma S and Grandpa K's house. Grandma S was playing mah jong with some friends. But there we got to relax. Finally. And the snacking continued for the boys. They never napped! And they wouldn't let me nap! Ugh! At least Daddy got to nap. lol We didn't go to anyone else in my mom's side of the family. Good, less to do. And somehow we managed to get away with coming home with less stuff than usual. Yay! Daddy doesn't get why we do this exchanging and re-exchanging and is "frustrated" by this. But it is what it is. Tradition calls for it and I enjoy teaching the boys about our traditions. But I have to admit that we, the younger generation, have been doing away with the exchange of the candies and cookies. Good, less for me to worry about. lol

Anyway, this week wasn't a total loss academically speaking. I did read some books with the boys and TJ did some "reading," too - sounding out 3 letter words and recognizing repetition in books. I really have to start up the word clouds. I think TJ would like that. I did do a quick review with his big Science word from last week and TJ still remembers what the word is that means that animals sleep through winter - hibernate. Yay!