Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Happy Chinese New Year!  This year is the year of the Fire Monkey.  What does that mean??? Well, I really couldn't tell you.  Ha ha!

We decided to head out to one of the local malls to see some of the celebrations.  But first, as Charlie would say... "Speedy sports car!"  He gets so excited when he sees one:

We arrive into the main square of the mall and the boys get straight into lantern-making.

Success!

Then, we wait for the lion dance show.

And while we wait, we take some pics:

One more photo op!  Charlie was too scared:

Finally, the drums start:

Too loud!

Family we-fie!

Well, come to find out - it was only the Chinese drummers in the morning.  So we leave and come back another day to catch the lion dance.  It's a school night but Mommy makes an exception, as Chinese New Year does only come once a year.  The boys get all dressed up:

But dinner first.  Long noodles for long life!

Graham goes for most of the chicken instead:

As we gathered by the main square waiting for the show, an announcement comes on. The 6:30pm Lion Dance Show has been postponed to 8pm.  NOooooo...!!!  This made me really upset!  I try to figure out who I needed to talk to but seems that Management has already left the building.  Of course! Needless to say, that made me even more upset! So I did post a feedback on the mall's Facebook page and have yet to hear back from someone.  Grrr...!

Anyhow... after a few more deep breathes, we find a nice spot to take some photos.

And we found a nice spot outside the mall as well, by the main entrance.  Good thing the taxis didn't run Daddy over while he was trying to take this photo!  

Probably another one of my all-time favorite pics of me and my boys!

Well, not quite the right way to feel (angry at Management!) during the first day of Chinese New Year. This Fire Monkey year is already stirring up some emotions! Hopefully the rest of the year will be better.  Insha-Allah!