Chinese New Year {Sunday Snapshot}

I know most everyone who celebrates Chinese New Year is finishing things up, but we just got to our dinner last night. We had a lot of fun! 

 Prior to going to the dinner, though, we had to try on the kiddos' silks to make sure everything still fit! They decided their outfits were more suited for superhero work & flew around the house jumping & running & screaming.

 Once they calmed down a bit, I was able to catch them being sweet!

 Last night was our official celebration dinner. Milo was in rare form. He had fun, but wore his mama & daddy's nerves thin. If we didn't let him do just exactly whatever he wanted to do, he did the classic kid drop-down & began screaming. In the pic above, he was protesting something, though he was still in a good mood... that changed at some point during the night.

I think one of my favorite things about the evening was getting to watch the kids from the Chinese dance class. They were beautiful!!

We had a great time (wish the food had been a little better, but I suppose that's what you get when you have a French chef trying to fix Chinese food...). Xandra has expressed an interest in learning the Chinese dance. I'll have to check into that.

Off to get back to my homework!! Happy Chinese New Year everyone!!!

Check out some more beautiful pictures by clicking the link below!

Gong Xi Fa Cai! (Happy Chinese New Year!)

Please excuse me for using other folks' pictures & drawings on this post.
I have every intention of getting my babies' pics in their silks... soon.
My poor Xandra-bear has had a fever for 3 days. Last night up to 102.

(Amanda Richards/Flickr)

Lantern Festival, Shanghai, 1/23/12
(Peter Parks/AFP/Getty Images)

We will be attending our local FCC New Year's celebration this Saturday & 

I.

Can't.

Wait!!

Promise- pictures will be posted!

FCC Chinese New Year

The Dragon that led the kids' parade

Xandra got a *little* overwhelmed with all the noise-makers at the end!

Danielle (left) & Kieren (right) - some of our friends from our FCC group

We had a great time at the Chinese New Year Celebration last night!! Unfortunately, my camera decided to get an attitude with me (as well as Xandra), so I didn't get as many pictures as I wanted.

We had debated up until the last minute whether we would be able to go to the event, because the weather was awful! It was combo-snowing/sleeting as we drove the 40 minutes to get to the party. Matt was initially not thrilled about going. I think he was just really worried about the streets getting bad. And I'd had to wake Xandra a little early from her nap so we could leave early enough to compensate for the bad roads. So, I was the only one really excited to be going...

It took a while to get into the mood of the evening (cranky kid, and somewhat cranky husband). But as soon as the food was (*finally!*) served, we had a great time! Matt & I haven't had Chinese food for quite some time & Xandra's never had it before. (Quick back story: Matt & I had Chinese food on New Year's a number of years back, and we both came down with either a stomach bug or food poisoning the next day. Chinese food does not taste good coming out the wrong way... ) It was really good food, although Xandra pretty much only ate noodles & a couple bites of chicken & broccoli (pretty good for her!).

The best part of the evening was the tail end- the children's parade with the Dragon! We'd had to almost hold Xandra in her seat most of the evening - she was dying to go running around the "ballroom" like she was seeing other kids doing. Too bad for her, her parents are strict. We didn't want her to get into or cause any trouble. But when it was time for the children's parade, that's exactly what she was finally able to do. She was really happy, but got a slight bit overwhelmed with the loud noise-makers. She kept running back to me yelling to me that it was too loud in there! :)

Matt couldn't stop commenting for most of the night (& even today) about how absolutely beautiful all the kids were. He kept looking around & turning to me saying "There's not one child here I wouldn't snatch up in a heartbeat. They're all so beautiful!" I couldn't agree more! It was like a "Cute-ness Overload!"

Matt & I have ever-so-briefly touched on wanting to adopt again in the future. I admitted to him last night that I really want to get a sister for Xandra. Obviously, we need to complete Milo's adoption first. And we both need to complete our education & get on track with our new careers, but then I really want to do this again! We would most definitely choose a different agency to go through, but I'm actually looking forward to everything falling in place, and going again!

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!!

It's officially the year of the Rabbit! We will be celebrating this Saturday with our friends from our local FCC (Families with Children from China). I'll post pictures this weekend from the celebration. This is obviously our first year celebrating, so I'm not real sure what to expect.

Here is the zodiac for people born in the year of the Rabbit:

People born in the Year of the Rabbit are articulate, talented, and ambitious. They are virtuous, reserved, and have excellent taste. Rabbit people are admired, trusted, and are often financially lucky. They are fond of gossip but are tactful and generally kind. Rabbit people seldom lose their temper. They are clever at business and being conscientious, never back out of a contract. They would make good gamblers for they have the uncanny gift of choosing the right thing. However, they seldom gamble, as they are conservative and wise. They are most compatible with those born in the years of the Sheep, Pig, and Dog.

I happen to be born in the year of the Snake:

People born in the Year of the Snake are deep. They say little and possess great wisdom. They never have to worry about money; they are financially fortunate. Snake people are often quite vain, selfish, and a bit stingy. Yet they have tremendous sympathy for others and try to help those less fortunate. Snake people tend to overdo, since they have doubts about other people's judgment and prefer to rely on themselves. They are determined in whatever they do and hate to fail. Although calm on the surface, they are intense and passionate. Snake people are usually good-looking and sometimes have marital problems because they are fickle. They are most compatible with the Ox and Rooster.

Matt was born in the year of the Tiger:

Tiger people are sensitive, given to deep thinking, capable of great sympathy. They can be extremely short-tempered, however. Other people have great respect for them, but sometimes tiger people come into conflict with older people or those in authority. Sometimes Tiger people cannot make up their minds, which can result in a poor, hasty decision or a sound decision arrived at too late. They are suspicious of others, but they are courageous and powerful. Tigers are most compatible with Horses, Dragons, and Dogs

Xandra was born in the year of the Dog:

People born in the Year of the Dog possess the best traits of human nature. They have a deep sense of loyalty, are honest, and inspire other people¡¦s confidence because they know how to keep secrets. But Dog People are somewhat selfish, terribly stubborn, and eccentric. They care little for wealth, yet somehow always seem to have money. They can be cold emotionally and sometimes distant at parties. They can find fault with many things and are noted for their sharp tongues. Dog people make good leaders. They are compatible with those born in the Years of the Horse, Tiger, and Rabbit.

And finally, Milo was born in the year of the Ox:

People born in the Year of the Ox are patient, speak little, and inspire confidence in others. They tend, however, to be eccentric, and bigoted, and they anger easily. They have fierce tempers and although they speak little, when they do they are quite eloquent. Ox people are mentally and physically alert. Generally easy-going, they can be remarkably stubborn, and they hate to fail or be opposed. They are most compatible with Snake, Rooster, and Rat people.