Gong Xi Fa Cai - Chinese New Year Celebration

Today is the first of the Lunar New Year. The girls and myself went to the temple to help out at the Food Fare. Selling spring rolls. I was the cashier and the girls helped to distribute forks. There were heaps of people at the temple. Lots of Caucasians and of course Asians. We will be at the temple to help out again tomorrow.

What a great way to celebrate New Year with other people.

Cheers!

My Little Princess

Kathlynn was invited to her friend's birthday party. The theme is Princess' Party. Her Korean friend has also hired a clown to perform during the party. Just imagine - "How much will that cost?" In addition, they will be making crowns to wear during the party. But Kathlynn wanted a tiara instead. So we bought a tiara for $2.00 from the "1-2-3- shop". "Super blur" Kathlynn told me that her friend's birthday was in December instead the birthday party is in January. As a result, we bought her friend a dolly one month ago.

Anyway, this was the first time that Kathlynn wanted to put on a dress. Hurray! my daughters are starting to know that they are actually girls and they are supposed to be dressing more like girls. In addition, the girls have also decided to wear skirts for this CNY. Their daddy should call for a celebration because he always complains I should stop buying pants and shorts for the girls. Apparently, 95% of their clothing are T-shirts, pants and shorts. Guess what? I only paid for $15.00 for this dress from JK - it was on 50% discount on Boxing Day. Very good deal!

It has been very warm lately. Hardly any rain at all. In addition, the flies are the only visitors that love to spend their day inside the house. As for us, we prefer to stay outside than inside the house. Last Saturday, Peter and the girls had a sleepout at our garden. Not for me, I prefer my bed rather than sleeping in the tent. Just think of the spiders and other insects crawling into the tent! Yuck! I would have nightmare instead of the fun!

Anyway, the girls had enjoyed their holiday so far before going back to school in two weeks times. Kimberley will be a Year 6 student and she had just found out that her class teacher is Mrs A.Kalra - a Singh. Not much information about the teacher. Kathlynn will be Year 4. She is very happy that her class teacher is Mr Dean Nevalagi. Apparently, Mr Nevalagi always shows lots of TLC (Tender Loving Care) towards the children. Most children enjoy having him. Well, hope the girls will do well this year.

Chinese New Year will be a simple celebration for us. I will be going to the temple in the morning then have lunch with Peter's aunt and her family. We might go into the city in the evening because there will be firecrackers' display and some Chinese cultural event at "Sky City".

CONG XI FA CAI

Temple Reunion Dinner

This evening we participated in the Temple Reunion Dinner. This is our third year attending this event. There were about one thousand people at the temple. There was short prayer before proceeding with the dinner. Then the Abbess gave "Hong Bao" to us except Peter. He turned up for the dinner @ 7.10 p.m. Anyway, this picture was taken at the courtyard. Hopefully, the completion will be ready in somewhere this year.

Windy Days

Windy days, Windy nights.

Some trees move from side to side,

Some trees hit the power lines.

Some sisters are very little

they usually get a fright,

and houses are all

lit with candles

it's really quite sight,

Then we all jump in one bed

and have a pillow fight.

I tell spooky stories ,

well into the night .

Then we finally fall asleep,

we hold each other tight,

Until the morning rises

and everything is

Alright.

By kathlynn ,7 years

Picture taken @ Auckland Museum - Dressup's corner

If I Were...

If I were a tree,

I would grow branches longer than a giraffe's neck.

I would grow as high as the sky.

I would shade people from the burning sun.

People will have picnics under me.

Birds will hatch in their nest, on my branch.

They will chirp happily on me.

I would dance and sway with the wind.

In summer children will climb on me.

In autumn leaves will fall.

In winter I will be resting.

In spring leaves will grow on me.

That is what I would do if I were a

TREE.

Day @ Cornwall Park

Today, we decided to drive to Cornwall Park for a picnic. It is about 20 minutes drive from our place. I have made some chocolate muffins the day before. Hence our lunch would be muffins, grapes and orange juice - minimum cost coz not working at the moment. The girls also brought along their arts' kits so that they could doing some drawings. We also brought the kite too.

It was a beautiful day. Blue sky with a slight breeze. However, the sun is rather strong. Lots of sun lotion and hats.

There were not many people when we arrived at the park. However, more people turned up during lunch. Handful of people were playing cricket! A NZ game that I have yet to appreciate!

The girls were busy doing their drawings. As for me, flying kite instead. In addition, Kimberley also decided to write a poem about "Tree". We have noticed there were many different types of trees at the park. As a result, she was inspired to write a poem at that moment. On the other hand, Kathlynn also wrote a poem about "A Windy Day" when she was at home.

We have been to the park many times but this is the first time we actually took our time to explore the park. Guess what? I guess the size of the park is as big as Orchard Road - No kidding. There is a farm within the park! I even have to give way to some sheep to cross the road. Hilarious!

Anyway, it's so wonderful to see how much fun the grils have during the trip.

LUV

Elaine

Buddha's Birthday / Multicultural Celebration at Aoetera Square in Queens Street

Kimberley and Kathlynn had participated in the offerings during the last year celebration. It was a wonderful experience for both of them. They looked so "girl"....

Kimberley also took part in the Chinese Drum and symbols.

30 December 2005
Beautiful weather - Sunny and no gusty wind

Well, we decided to have BBQ for lunch today.

Menu:
Sausage, bread, lettuce, tomatoes and different types of sauce.

Easy for me not much of the cleaning and washing.

LUV elaine