Thursday was the Chinese New Years Eve. We hosted a party here for some teammates and our Chinese teacher’s family and friend. It was a lot of fun. The kids had a blast, we had lots of yummy Western and Chinese food, lots of treats, watched the famous “show” of all the provinces dancing and singing, and we learned how to play Ma Jiang (THE official game of China that we see people playing EVERYWHERE).

Now David and I can go play with the retired people in the afternoons when we get bored and have nothing else to do. . . . hahahahahaha. That was funny. But really, we are going to get that game so we can play with our local guests Maybe sometime we will play in the community too?

The fireworks show was just as we had been told, “like nothing we have ever seen before.” Colt and David went out with our friends around midnight, and Colt came back saying he needed goggles next time because of all the ash. Anyone can buy fireworks here – the real deal big ones. . . and everyone was letting them off plus their firecrackers down by the road All night long. Thankfully, we have sound machines and they were turned them up loud. The kids slept fine!

Tidbit: Good air quality is less than 100. The next day, our city’s air quality was 500 – I’m thinking because of all the ash from the fireworks. . . We stayed inside But Saturday we got out and enjoyed the beautiful 60 degree weather! There weren’t very many people out (many return to their hometowns for the holiday), so it was really nice to not be very crowded.

Trying to communicate with this man who was so interested in us :)

This man was selling toys, and we let the kids each pick one out. Everything is more expense around Chinese holidays (not like America where we have sales during holidays). So these little cheap plastic toys that we knew we were getting ripped off on were definitely a gift for the holiday

Caden trying out some of this man’s toys that he was selling.

Glad Caden isn’t shy. . .

Kylie picked out the never dying fish that rolls around and plays the first line of “Twinkle twinkle little star how I wonder what you are” over and over and over. Awesome She loves it. So does Caden.

We bought Kylie this little battery powered fish that plays music.

Colt picked out this little blaster gun thing that makes noise and we discovered has a kaleidoscope type of thing at the end. Interesting. I wouldn’t have guessed that?

Colt picked out this gun that makes noises and has a kaleidoscope end (those 2 things go together you know?)

It was a fun day, and we really like Chunjie!