February 11th, 2021

It looks like a dinosaur. - Frannie
It's the lion. - Michael

After being introduced to the upcoming holiday, Chinese New Year, by Michael and his mom yesterday, today we reflected on what we have learned about it and shared it with our friends who weren't here.
Finlay told his friends"I watched a parade about Chinese New Year one the computer with Maisie." 
 Many children expressed their interest in the lion and dragon dances with their colorful and elaborate costumes. Looking at pictures of them made them remember the lion dance video we watched yesterday (in case you would like to watch it, we linked it in our last blogpost). On popular demand we rewatched yesterday's video and also a couple new ones during snack (linked below).
​We also had a very special snack today: Oranges! But why are we eating oranges today?

​Frannie: Because we watch the lion dance.
Bea: For Chinese holiday.

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Oranges are one of the foods that can bring good luck!
What what does "Good Luck" mean?

Hugh: Luck is when you loose something and you find it.
We agree and could not have said it any better ourselves...
​

Lucas opened up the book to see the dragon in full length.

​While (re)watching the video from yesterday the children were extremely observant and shared many thoughts and questions with us:

Michael: It's lion time! He's gonna knock it down. He makes it drop. (remembering and anticipating a scene from the video in which the lion drops an urn.)

Frannie: He's tired. Oh, so cute!

Hugh: How is he falling all the time? 
Bea: It's a costume.
Wilder: He has a heavy head.

Hugh: Why does he close his eyes so much? 
​Frannie: Because the music stopped, Hugh. (many children noticed the change in music and volume again)

Daniel: Why is he not falling down anymore?
Frannie: Because he's standing up. 

Michael: He drank it all.

Lucas: The lion dance is my favorite.
Bea: The lion dance is funny.​

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In these new videos we also finally spotted dancing dragons along with more colorful lions.

It's lion time! - Michael
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A few of us were wondering, are the lions real or not? Are these costumes? How can we tell? 

Some friends noticed people "inside the lion" by spotting arms or heads.
​
Wilder: I can see the people in there!
Lucas: No! He ate the person!

Hugh: You see the shoes?
Lily: Right. Lions don't wear shoes.
Wilder: Why would lions wear shoes?

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Wilder showed us his fantastic interpretation of the lion dance:

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We also continued our work on creating paper lanterns to decorate our room for the festivities tomorrow. 

Bea's cutting work for her lantern before assembling it.

​Our Brown Room is starting to look very festive!

Happy New Year, Michael! We hope that you and your family will have a wonderful celebration!

Wilder wishing Michael a "happy new year" in Chinese!