Getting into the Mood
Child, Parenting, Preschool, Toddler December 28th, 2008When you live in a multi-racial, multi-religious country like Singapore, its really hard to fully enjoy a season. It was just Christmas a while agao, and now, the shops are busy changing their stocks from blue-and-white to gold-and-red.
Yes, Chinese New Year is on 26 January 2009. Having a higher number of Chinese population over here, its unmistakably that more people celebrates CNY then Christmas. Well, the truth is: not all Chinese are Christians but MOST Christians are Chinese….
We went to Chinatown today, for a walk, just to see if those temporary CNY shops are up, just to see if the decorations are done, just to be there earlier before the crowd to get into the mood of the longest celebrated season every year.
Personally, I think that Keatkeat and Binbin have very strong legs as compared to kids of their age. I credit it to ‘never-pram and hardly-carry’ days ever since they made their first step.
We walked for 3 hours non-stop. What truly kept them going were their search for a replacement…. for these:-
(These were pictures taken during this year’s CNY in February)
Those were the mini lion heads we bought for them earlier this year, to greet my PIL when we visited them on the first day of CNY, which made everyone laughed so hard.
Binbin’s orange lion head’s beard and moustache are completely gone, the ‘body’ has been detached from the head long ago. As for Keatkeat’s white lion head, the ears were ripped off months after the above performance.
Allan and I are not very keen on getting them another set. The kids are aware. In a way, they are ‘sensible’. They are willing to compromise for a smaller one. Those that are hand-held, more like a puppet, instead of getting the exact same size as their disfigured Lions lying in that Toy Box together with all their Hot Wheels.
Yes the kids found those puppets, almost half the price of what they own. But the adults played delayed-tactics. Afterall, its still another month away and the parents know their kids too well… they have good intentions in mind, they just want the lions to be still in ‘one-piece’ for the big day on 26 January…. so till the day gets nearer, the family is staying away from shops that look really Red-and-Gold from afar… *wink*
December 29th, 2008 at 12:26 am
:)
I’m caught in the festive mood of CNY too..
I just bought CNY 09 decoration when I saw shops displaying them..if hubby did not stop me, I would have bought ang pow packets and many more..haha
Flower_Mummys last blog post..~~Hip Hop Babes~~
December 29th, 2008 at 12:50 am
my kids are the opposite ! they are so afraid of the lion dance, let alone lion head. :D
lings last blog post..Fun Google Tag
December 29th, 2008 at 3:10 am
I wish our stores would stock items for Chinese New Year! Instead we had items for Valentine’s Day showing up before we had even celebrated Christmas.
Ginas last blog post..Taking the easy way out…
December 29th, 2008 at 3:58 am
I love how you share your traditions of Singapore! And with pictures.
Your boys are marathoners! My children would never last on walks that long. Good for you!
I answered your question on my blog post. Hope that clarifies for you. I think maybe in Singapore things are different?
December 29th, 2008 at 4:35 am
Wow!I think that that is awesomely cool!I’m that type of person that enjoys it all when it comes to different traditions and cultures!
And know what?!I love red and golden!The pictures are lovely!Loved the dragon boys!LOL!
xoxoxoxo
December 29th, 2008 at 10:37 am
maybe this year they can dress up as caishen ye? heehee!!
December 29th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
i bought one of those mini ones few years back too! :)
blessed moms last blog post..Day 7 – Pacific Fair and the Beach
December 29th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Hee… where do you get the lion heads? So cute!!!
December 29th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Any Pasar Malam will have. Keep your eyes peeled! *wink*
December 29th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Good luck with the stall tactics! Can’t wait to see pics of the new puppets!
Tonis last blog post..Meet My Friends Monday – Edition 41/2
December 30th, 2008 at 2:14 am
Yep…almost Chinese New Year ^_^
Juliana RWs last blog post..Turn OFF
December 31st, 2008 at 2:52 am
those are cute. glad you found replacements ;)
December 31st, 2008 at 9:14 am
I’ve yet to start getting stuff for CNY. Where did you purchase the lion head for the kids. So cute. I also wanna buy :):)
Janices last blog post..4 night Libra cruise to Phuket
December 31st, 2008 at 9:54 am
I bought it at pasar malam. $20+ for that size.
December 31st, 2008 at 12:54 pm
wow so cute the lion heads :-)
December 31st, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Chinese New Year seemed to me to have a stronger and more pervasive feel than Christmas has over here. Maybe because Christmas is celebrated in the home primarily and CNY is celebrated in the home and in the streets. It was always such a magical energy when I was in Taiwan!