Happy New Year

1. House thoroughly cleaned: check
2. Hongbao stuffed with chocolate coins ready to be distributed to the girls' classmates and other friends: check
3. Red envelopes with money for each girl ready to be put under their pillows: check
4. Dumpling ingredients and craft supplies bought for tomorrow night's party: check
5. Nian Gao cake recipe from China Sprout on kitchen counter, waiting for me to whip up the cake in the morning: check
6. Silk brocade jackets hanging in the girls' room, ready to be worn in the morning: check

It appears that we are ready for the lunar new year. This is the second of three weekends filled with Chinese New Year activities. Before having kids, I took February vacations to warm destinations. Now the New Year's activities chase the February blahs away. Happy New Year.