Chinese New Year

 

The first day of Chinese New Year was on a Sunday. Our ward combined with the local ward and only held Sacrament Meeting so that the Chinese families could enjoy their family reunion dinners.

The boys loved wearing their Chinese clothes to church. They fit in perfectly.

 

They also had some great activities at school and were supposed to wear their Chinese clothes instead of the regular uniforms. 

 

These red and yellow flowers are all over Singapore for the CNY celebrations. Along with lanterns, Chinese caligraphy, gorgeous paper cut decorations, willow branches. And lots and lots of snake decorations because this is the year of the snake. These flowers were at our condo.

Orange trees are also all over Singapore for CNY. Mostly on either side of an entrance or door.

 

One of our favorite things is seeing a Lion Dance. And really, you can't miss it even if you tried. Its lucky to start the new year with a Lion Dance (to usher in the good and scare away the bad) so lots of businesses and homes will have their own. These trucks drive all over Singapore for the 2 weeks of CNY and you can hear the super loud drumming from all over. When Noah and Gage hear the drumming they gasp "a lion dance!" and run to the window or around the corner to see the trucks drive by.

 

We met some friends one day during CNY to see their Lion Dance and then spent the afternoon swimming. It was a great day. Here are the boys (and baby girl) with the troupe before the show.  It is so fun, energetic and entertaining!

 

 

The Chinese God of Fortune went around passing out hungbao and chocolate coins for the kids.