Chinese New Year the year - year of the horse

I'm trying to teach my Littles about different cultures, last year we went to the Scottish Rite Center for Chinese New Year. I was a very neat experience. This year we decided to celebrate at home and invite some friends to join us. I started doing some research and really wanted some red envelopes, as this was a symbol of good luck.  You fill them up with money and give them to family and friends. I was going to fill them up with chocolate coins. I went to Target to see if I could find some.

Just as I entered the store I saw a familiar Mom. I went up to her and gave her a hug and told her what I was doing and she told me, she had some red envelopes I could have!!! So generous. Then she said when we were finished shopping I could come over to her house and get them.

It was so sweet to see her home. 

She had a wonderful little table right in the middle of her family room instead of a coffee table.

She shared her son's art work with us and told us what each symbol meant.
She told us, that Panda's are very special.

When you first walk into the house you have to take your shoes off to leave the world behind. 

The bottom symbol means Family LOVE!!! The top says Luck begins here.

This dragon was drawn by her 8 year old son!

Dragons are special too....in the background you can't really see but it is a chinese alphabet chart.

She generously gave me this FAMILY LOVE sign.....

and some red envelopes.... 

I was touched by her generosity and willingness just to let me come over on the spot.

It was our turn to make decorations ...

We added lanterns to the leftover hanging balloons from New Years Eve.

Little J enjoyed hanging up the lanterns for me.

This is where I hung my happy family sign and made mini lanterns to hang on the fireplace we only use this one for candles.

At the party the Littles and friends made Chinese dragons. I had everything for this project except for the red plates and streamers. $1.00  each at the dollar store.

Each friend took a picture with their dragon. They also danced with them.

I added a map of China from an atlas we already had.

My Mister fried up pot stickers and egg rolls. {that I bought at the dollar store, never knew the dollar store would be my friend.}  I made sticky rice {cheap and easy in my fun cooker} 

 One of the Moms asked if she could bring anything and I mentions I was going to get fortune cookies from Panda Express, but she said the Food King sells them in big bags for cheap and she could contribute.

 Not so sure she wanted to try something new. :D

Little Em was entertained by Mr. Bear and her Daddy.

They each left with a red envelope, more knowledge of the Chinese culture and a better friendship.

This is what I love to do most, create, celebrate, share in the hope for the littles to build better relationships with thier freinds at church and school.

Happy Chinese New Year!

from me to you with love, M