UN week

Its UN week at the boys' school.

All week they focus on different cultures with performances, storytelling, a big parade and a food fair. This is one of my absolute favorite weeks of the year.

Stars and stripes for the parade. I never felt so patriotic until we moved overseas.

Here are the boys and some American friends. The parade was done alphabetically so by the time they got to the US, Gage was tired and grumpy. And my camera battery died. Glad I had my phone!

 

Noah held that United States sign with a big smile on his face.

There were 55 countries represented in the parade, well actually 54 because Mexico was absent that day. The biggest countries were Canada, India, Korea, Japan, Australia and England with only one or two from countries like Belguim or Israel.

 

 Noah's friend, Ume from India waiting for her turn. 

Japan

Our sweet neighbor, Eunbin, from Korea.

 

Another day was the food fair. The kids are supposed to choose things they've never had before... but I spy rice krispy treats and apple pie on Noah's plate. How could he resist? He also loved the Korean kimbab, the beef something something from Pakistan and the bread from Israel.

 

Gage ran straight to France for the creme brulee (so did I). Then he pin balled all over the gym from one country to the next with a big smile on his face.

 

Chocolate churro mustache from Spain. 

 

Gage and buddy at the American table. Thanks to Jonette for the huge flag! It was perfect. 

 

I brought apple pie. We also had hot dogs, hamburgers, smores, brownies, rice krisy treats, mac and cheese, popcorn, rootbeer floats, etc.    

 

Here's Thailand

 

Singapore

 

Friends from Korea

Be Mine

 

Nothing says 'Happy Valentine's' like a pair of pink sunglasses. Don't you think? 

 

And pink socks for school. 

Dave made us a wonderful waffle breakfast complete with whipped cream on top.

 

Valentines were made and shared at school. Noah and Gage are on a Ninjago kick at the moment. They loooove the green ninja. 

 

 

And chocolate cake for dessert. The best chocolate cake ever. Dave sure knows how to please a girl. 

Happy Valentine's Day! 

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. 

CNY River hungbao

 

Another night for Chinese New Year we took the kids down to the River Hungbao carnival. I love Singapore's skyline in the distance. 

And who can resist a carnival?

me and sweetie Gage

 

 

Gage in front of the huge Chinese God of Fortune. He spits out golden confetti on the hour and you are super lucky if you catch one. 

Lots to see and do. Street food, carnival games, floats to look at, toss a penny in the wishing well, watch the koi.

 

'Look Mom! The God of Fortune!'

The boys know who this guy is by now. Especially if he's handing out chocolate and money. 

And the bumper cars! The boys loved them! And what's a good carni without bumper cars?

Happy New Year! Gong Xi Fai Cai!

CNY Chinatown

 

Its the year of the snake. If you were born in 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001 or 2013 then this is your year! 

There was so much going on in Chinatown that we had to check it out. Lion dancing, chinese acrobats, parade, performances, extra food stalls and markets.  

We tucked the kids into their beds and my handsome date and I went down with some friends. 

 

The shops are so much fun to look at.

 

 

 

It was the last day of the CNY markets so the Taiwanese jellys go for cheap and everyone goes crazy for them.