Gung Hei Fat Choy!

That means Happy (Chinese) New Year... and it's fun for kids to say! I just copied/pasted some cool things about my peeps! My mom has always put the red envelope under my pillow at night. Mine was there this morning! So far, my "New Year" has been great. Who else wouldn't want money under their pillow first thing in the morning? Mylie woke up with her first AND second teeth this morning AND 3 red envelopes under her sheet protector. Maysie "found" her 3 red envelopes under her mattress (since they don't have pillows YET)!

The Year of the Ox

Today (Monday 1/26/09) begins the Year of the Ox in the Chinese Zodiac. People born under this sign are said to have these characteristics: dependable, calm, methodical, patient, hardworking, ambitious, conventional, steady, modest, logical, resolute, tenacious. Can be stubborn, narrow-minded, materialistic, rigid, demanding.

Things to do to celebrate

A simple thing to do today is make red envelopes out of construction paper and put $8 inside. Eight is considered lucky and the red envelopes with cash inside is a traditional gift. (You could use coins, but shouldn't with children under 3 because they can be a choking hazard!) You can give these to your children or have them give them to each other, then go out and get a treat or put in their piggy bank.

Some things you *SHOULD* do today to bring luck: open the windows and doors, eat sweets and change the sheets on the bed.

Some things *NOT* to do today: get a haircut, wear black or white, wash your hair, buy shoes or sweep the floor today. They're all considered "bad luck" for the new year.

You can also celebrate with your children by getting Chinese take out! It's easy and fun. If your children haven't tried Chinese food before a good bet is orange chicken, though it is usually fried. You could make a simple fried rice dish at home too!