Xin Nian Hao

On Saturday,we were able to celebrate the Chinese New Year with our kids and with many friends and fellow adoptive parents. The International Adoptive Families group holds an annual New Year celebration. It was a terrific way to celebrate our girls heritage, and we all had a fantastic time. It still amazes me to see all of the beautiful children who have found forever families and to see all the love they share. It is nothing short of wonderful to be a part of a group of people who are linked together by the common factors of adoption. The children all take delight in seeing friends and sharing the heritage of their birthland.

It was non stop fun from the minute we arrived until it was time to go home. We enjoyed a fun filled day of craft making, picture taking, good chinese food, and songs and dance indicative to Chinese culture. We loved the traditional ribbon dance and the "DRAGON". All of our kiddos had to find a spot in that dragon, and boy was it crowded under there. Mandy was a bit apprehensive all afternoon,but she seemed to participate more as the day went on. She talked excitedly about her favorite events on the ride home. Mia loved every bit of the activity. She was not scared of anything or anybody, and she made her way around like she was old friends with everyone there. The boys had fun sharing in the activities; although, I suspect they would have rather been playing baseball. They were great sports and played with all the kids and helped where help was needed. Brad participated in the silent auction and won an autographed baseball cap. I had to give him a hard time about bidding so much, but it went to a good cause. He was excited and it will fit in nicely with his baseball memorabilia.

Chinese New Year is known as the Spring Festival ( or Lunar New Year) . It is the most important holiday of the year for the Chinese people. It is a time of family and good wishes...not unlike our celebration and wishes for a happy new year. May you all be healthy and prosperous this new year!