Happy Chinese New Year!

Happy Chinese New Year!
Here's hoping that the coming year brings you all happiness and prosperity!

This past weekend, January 31st, we celebrated the New Year with our friends and adoption travel companions the R and F families. The R's daughter Sophie, who was adopted at the same time as Sonja, attends a Chinese school. The school puts on a New Year celebration for the families of those who attend the school and their guests. The F family's daughter Maiya doesn't attend the school but also had a part in the celebration too.

The above photo of daddy and the next few were actually taken by our budding photographer Sonja. I don't think they're too bad for a four year old!
Here Maxie mugs for our little photographer Sonja.
Max again strikes a pose for Sonja.
The show opened up with the children and lion dancers.



Then came the adult dancers. They were all beautiful, as was their dancing. Very graceful.

Another group of children dancing. They were so cute and did a great job.
A group of older children played a few songs on the violin. Sonja and Max both have toy violins and when they saw these children playing them they sat silently watching. After the first song, Sonja said "Mommy I want to play the violin like them" to which I told her she can if he wants. Looks like violin lessons in the future!
This little skit was so cute. They did a song about eating watermelon and wondering if they ate the seeds, if they would grow a watermelon in their tummy! In the center of the picture you can see Sophie.
A close up picture of Sophie in the skit.
Here the "non_Chinese families" did a skit. On the far left hand side you see Sophie, Barb and Shelby R and Maiya and Lisa F.
Here is a closer picture of them during the skit.
The kids gathered outside the auditorium for a group picture. from L to R is maiya F sitting on her cousin Sophie's lap, Sophie R sitting on Shelby R's lap, and Sonja and Max.
Sonja sitting on Matt R's lap. She just loves him!!
Shelby and Sophie R give each other a big hug
Shelby R and her Daddy Matt with Sonja sitting on his lap. She was stuck to him like glue!
Max taking a bite of the Chinese food offered. They had spring rolls, tofu, these yummy meatballs and some other things, along with a variety of sweets. They also had games to play for which you received tickets to collect and get prizes, along with a bounce house.
It was a great time. After the celebration we all went to the R's house and had pizza and the kids played. We had a great time and only wished we lived closer to our other travel families. We will see them again soon.

We hope you all have a happy New Year!

Until next time....