A Curry of a Life

Gong xi fa cai! Happy year of the rat! My Chinese New Year activities were limited to helping out with a activity in Cosette's classroom. A group of us moms volunteered and we had a very fun mourning.  I called upon Cosette's teacher in Singapore, who I am so lucky to still be in contact with (those teachers are the best!). I asked her what children in America should know about CNY. She gave me some great ideas and a cute video (ironically made by Panda Express) that gave a really good history behind all the CNY traditions.  We decorated a lion head, practiced our Chinese calligraphy, had some traditional treats called love letters  (they look like Pepperidge Farm Priouettes without any filling), hong boa (red envelopes) filled with chocolate coins, and have our very own lion dance.  I put together the lion head, thank you Pintrest. I really enjoyed putting it together. The kids cut out red construction paper for the lion's fur. I got some paint pens , so t

I have a love hate relationship with winter. Mostly hate. The cold gets me. It is one thing when you can run from your home, to your heated car, to the next heated building. A completely other thing when you have to layer up from head to toe, walk in the cold, and your destination is probably outside (at least for me. Playgrounds are always open. For whatever reason, kids do not feel cold. Crazy!).  This January is akin to our first January in the city back in 2011. It has been pleasantly "mild". We have had very little snow, and it has not stayed very long. The temps have been ranged from the high 30s to one weekend in the mid 60s! Say what? It has been beautiful, and I haven't wanted to die from going out in the cold. It has been such a blessing to have this (still cold!) very bearable January.   January highlights for are us have been: playing lots of games. Wizard Chess, and Rummikub are the current favorites. Going to the CAMP Store for a free craft. Coco and I