Kung Hei Fat Choi (Happy Chinese New Year & also Sophia's 6th Birthday)

We had a super fun birthday celebration for Sophia. Not only was it her 6th birthday, but also Kung Hei Fat Choi - Chinese New Year here in the Philippines. It is a celebrated holiday - with lots of hong bao  (lucky money red envelopes) and special foods, and fire works and parades. Sophi brought hong bao to all her classmates for her birthday to help celebrate good luck, health and prosperity. We wore red to celebrate and all enjoyed the festivities.

Later, for dinner we went to a local shopping area. When we were headed to dinner, I heard the sound of drums and cymbals. I figured it was a parade so we went in search of it. We found that the local merchants "hide" hong bao around their stores and a local lion and dragon dance troup go though the shops in search of the red envelopes, and capture them - ensuring a lucky year for the merchant.

Sophia was enchanted by music and dancers. She loved the lion dancers and tried to help them find the lucky money in the shops. Aiden was really digging the cymbals and drums played next to him and got a high five from one of the troupe.

It was a great day, excellent celebration on Sophia's birthday and a fun family event - lucky for us it continues for the next few weeks! We are going to another dragon dance tomorrow!
(sorry for all the video links, but they're priceless and worth the slow down load)

Happy Year of the Rabbit!

She was very inspired that her Indian bracelet matched the wall hanging in our living room

Sophia and Dragon Dancers

Sophia getting "lucky bites" from lion for her birthday

Sophia helping the lion find the hong bao at a shop

Aiden and cymbal guy have a high five moment...