Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Chinese New Year starts on Monday and it is the year of the OX! With the new moon on the first day of the new year and ends on the full moon 15 days later with a Lantern Festival.

Here is how to celebrate the 15 days:

Day 1: Welcome the gods of the heavens and earth.

Day 2: Pray to your ancestors as well as to all the gods. Be extra kind to dogs and feed them well, it is believed that this day is the birthday of all dogs.

Day 3 & 4: Son-in-laws should pay respect to their in-laws.

Day 5: Called Po Woo. Stay home and welcome the God of Wealth. No visitors, or you will get bad luck.

Day 6 - Day 10: Visit your relatives and friends. Pray for good fortune and health.

Day 7: Farmers are to display their produce proudly. This day is also the birthday of the humans. Eat noodles and plenty of raw fish.

Day 8: Have a family reunion dinner and pray to the God of Heaven.

Day 9: Make an offering to the Jade Emperor.

Day 10 - Day 12: Invite your friends and family for dinner.

Day 13: Eat lightly as you just filled up over the past few days.

Day 14: Prepare for the Lantern Festival

Day 15: Lantern Festival


And of course if you can't do this, just celebrate your family and friends and wish everyone health and good fortune.

Ice Skating

Yesterday we had a warm day, 39 degrees, so we ventured out into the back yard to do some ice skating. We couldn't find the little skates so Lexi skated in her boots. Not pictured here, but Lexi was skating with the boys and playing hockey, while Olivia skated around with her friend Maura. Also pictured is Lexi trying to walk through all the snow back to the car. Yes, we drove next door to the ice rink, how lazy of us. That is our yellow house in the background.

Chopsticks??

Lexi seems to be a natural at eating with chopsticks, as you can see here she has picked up the cue sticks to their little pool table to eat her breakfast with this morning. Olivia and me can't for the life of us use chopsticks, but Lexi can!

Pig Tails & Pony Tails

The girls wore their hair curlers to bed the other night. I didn't get a picture of Olivia before she went off to school. But, here is a few pics of Lexi with her curly q piggy tails.

Mommy's Little Princesses

For Christmas our friends Kathy and Joe gave the girls some princess outfits. Here are the girls trying their new outfits on "over" their clothes and striking a pose.