Happy "Niu" Year (Moo)

Chinese New Year is here again, and 2009 is the year of the Earth Ox. In chinese astrology, there are 5 elements of wood, fire, earth, metal and water and the lunar calendar is represented by 12 chinese animal signs in a 12-year cycle used for dating the years. The twelve animal signs, according to a repeating cycle, are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Boar/Pig.

On the eve of CNY ( 年除夕), we visited the "River Hong Bao" festivities/celebration at the Marina Bay Floating Platform. The "River Hong Bao" event is organised annually and typically comprises a festive light up, accompanied by a display of lanterns as well as chinese horoscope predictions for each of the twelve animal signs.

Visiting the "River Hong Bao" event has become somewhat an annual routine for us, and it is always accompanied by a steamboat reunion dinner at my in-laws' home.

"River Hong Bao 2009" at the Marina Bay Floating Platform

On the 1st day of CNY (大年初一), we dressed Chloe in her lovely pink cheongsam top & pants which we had bought from Chinatown barely a week ago. In addition, Chloe also has a separate pink cheongsam dress, and there is also the blue cheongsam top/pants which was a gift from my mom..... Personally, I think Chloe appeared the sweetest in the pink cheongsam below...... I gave Chloe two mandarin oranges, and she was all set to go !!

I'm all ready with 2 mandarin oranges in hand !!

As usual, we visited Clare's godmother's home on the first day of CNY..... Chloe tends to be a little shy when it comes to meeting people or relatives whom she hasn't met for a while.....but kids being kids, they also tend to warm up to people fairly quickly (especially when they're offerered sweets or toys !! ......kids are just so easy to bribe....haha...).

As you can see from the pictures below, Chloe was 'monopolizing' the sweets/mixed jelly and I could tell she was hanging on to it pretty protectively....

Chloe has also developed the eagerness to open her angpows immediately when she receives them.......maybe she's starting to understand the concept of money....hahaha

Chloe couldn't take her eyes off the sweets....haha

Chloe with her cousins

Chloe with 'uncle' Kelvin and 'auntie' Christina....

On Day 2 of CNY (年初二), we visited my in-laws' home. To my amazement, even Jovious (the family dog) was all dressed up in CNY clothing, specially bought by Kelvin from Korea !! haha....

One big smile for our family photo.....cheeeese !

Ang Pows........here I come !!!

Jovious (the family dog) smartly decked out in CNY attire....

Chloe and Jovious sharing a cozy moment together...

Gong Xi Gong Xi (恭喜恭喜)

Chloe presented both her grandpa and grandma with mandarin oranges.

We also visited Stella and Kangwei to 'pai nian'

On Day 3 of CNY (年初三), we packed our bags and were all set to depart for my hometown KL. Throughout my last 9 years in Singapore, this is probably the first time I'm able to take time off to visit my parents during CNY...... I decided it was best we took a flight back, as I've been hearing tonnes of horrendous news/stories about the massive traffic congestions at the Tuas 2nd link.... and it is unlikely that Chloe will be able to withstand the boredom of being stuck in a jam on a car journey. My parents were of course delightfully surprised that we could head home, and my mom started her shopping spree almost a month in advance.......toys, educational DVD, etc.... I have to say that both Clare and I truly admire my mom's stamina and patience - she could spend the entire day entertaining Chloe and adhering to all of Chloe's demands, from the moment Chloe wakes up in the morning till the moment Chloe falls asleep at night. Chloe also loves climbing up and down the staircase at home with my mom, and did so umpteen times......Clare and I would just sit back, relax, munch on CNY goodies and catch up on DVDs......(which seems like a dream, now that we're back in Singapore running after Chloe ourselves.....hahaha)