CNY!

Family. Food. Fireworks.

The occasion, you ask?

Chinese New Year, of course.

Chinese New Year is Taiwan's biggest holiday. Preparations and the level of excitement are parallel of that of Christmas. Homes are cleaned from the top to the bottom. Children, no matter their age, travel back to the homes of their parents. Bushels of food are bought and consumed. Continuous bangs and booms fill the sky. Red envelopes fund the dreams and desires of the young.

The week prior to Chinese New Year was jammed pack with fun, exciting, cultural activities for my students.

They were given the opportunity to try their hand at Chinese calligraphy.

The last day before our CNY break, several moms worked together to plan an amazing New Year party for my students.

Students were encouraged to either dress in red, the color of happiness, or in traditional clothing.

The festivities began with a game designed to represent the sound of the fireworks set off during Chinese New Years.

Then there were four...

Then three...

Down to two... 

The winners! I think they would have spent the rest of the day jumping and leaping, so we declared a tie for first.

After all the screaming, running, hopping, stomping, and popping, we returned to the classroom to enjoy some traditional foods. Each food held a significance and blessing. I tried eating a lot of the one that was said to help children grow tall, but somehow I think it may come a little too late!

These wonderful moms also provided hong pao- red envelopes containing money.

Even though red envelopes are traditionally given to children, I even got one! Mine had two chocolate coins (yummy) and 10nt!