Chinese New Year Week

It's Chinese New Year week!  The Year of the Horse was really good to us, as it brought our daughters home, so we know that the Year of the Sheep will be great because they ARE home!

I meant to do so much more than we did this week, but C and I both had horrible colds, we had a doctors appointment involving lots of vaccines, some of the coldest days this year took place and Sam was out of town most of the week.  It was just a lot of hurdles at once, so our craft week was very light, as the girls just needed down time (ok, I needed down time!).  I hope I'll have it more "together" next year, and we'll be able to start some fun CNY traditions.

Day 1 - Chinese "Lantern" Glitter Garland

The girls aren't quite ready yet to make the lanterns out of construction paper so I thought this was simple and cute.   We may even hang onto it for next year.  Maybe add a "lantern" each year?

I took some spent tp rolls, hole punched two holes, had the girls add glue designs to each roll, 

then we dropped each roll one by one into a paper bag with glitter, turned on some fun music, and the girls got to shake, shake, shake that bag!

They came out nice and sparkly - a good imitation of a lantern!  When they were dry the next day, the girls took turns stringing them onto a ribbon.  It was a great challenge for their fine motor skills!

When it was all done we hung them up under the mantle by our other lanterns so they would sparkle!

The girls thought this project was a lot of fun and I am finally ok with with being a household where we are covered in cat hair, dirt or glitter (or all three)!   It's just more fun with all of those embellishments!

Day 2 - Firecracker Decoration

I'll go ahead and say that this project didn't turn out at all like the picture on line, but we gave it a good try!  It was supposed to look like a bundle of unspent firecrackers on a string...  It came out looking like a bundle of painted toilet paper rolls on some yarn.   Oh well!    The girls got to paint!

They both enjoy painting and I am thankful for washable paint!   As an artist, I want my girls to use quality materials that work and perform like they are supposed to, but it's nice not to worry about clothes and furniture!

Once, they were dry, we decorated them with markers.  The paint dried fast, but it dried pink rather than red.   That was a little disappointing.

The girls didn't mind.  They scribbled away on their firecrackers.  

I'd like to try these out again when the girls are older.  They kind of look like something you put on someone's trailer hitch when they've just been married!

Day 3 - Kumquat Tree Thumbprint Paintings

I didn't know this, but kumquats are considered to be a symbol of good things in Asia!  I saw this little project online.   These were so cute and took very little time!   I painted the branches beforehand, but you could do this in two parts if you like!

The girls added their little thumbprints - they enjoyed stamping them onto the tree and trying to say Kumquat!  : )

After they were dry we added a little basket/pot to put the tree in.  It gave it a nice touch!

"Oh, Mama, do you have to take SO many pictures of us all of the time?!"

These were on target for their skill level and will make a cute keepsake of their thumbprints.  C and FL are still pointing to them and talking about making them!

   We finished up the week and celebrated the start of Year of the Sheep by ordering our favorite Chinese take out, dressing the girls up in their silks (they were so excited!) and setting the table special for our meal.   When I pulled out their silks, they ran over squealing with happiness!   C started saying, "Shoes, shoes, shoes!"   She remembered when we took pictures in China they also had special shoes to match!   I bought them a couple sizes big so they could wear them more than once.

It was a busy week with colds, doctor appointments and a special day to celebrate, but it was still a fun one! : )