Abbey (year of the monkey) and Elliott (year of the pig) in their jinbeis and jeans. In Japan these outfits are actually for summer festivals but I don't think anyone is going to tell on us. 
Silly picture. We headed downtown with my friend Ashley and her kids. The first adventure was parking- sheesh! My kids ate almost all the snacks I brought for them before we even got out of the car. Fortunately my friend Michelle had given us a head's up about where to go first- to the stage where the Chinese Lion Dance would be held. (Thanks, Michelle!) Each of the beautiful lion costumes had a child in the front and one in the back. Some of them were not much older than Abbey! They ran out and danced along with the drums and cymbals. Click on the pictures to enlarge them and get the full effect.
Four of the lions from the back.
The "featured" lion. I think the two boys in this one were probably in high school. They were awesome! They jumped all over these risers while supporting their lion.
Abbey feeds one of the lions a dollar to bring her good luck in the new year. (The luck had better extend to me since it was my dollar!)
That was definitely the performance highlight of the day. We saw a few minutes of a Hula dance demonstration, which Abbey enjoyed, and some Japanese matsuri (festival) dancers. Of course, there were many food booths offering treats from Japan, China, the Philippines, India, Pakistan... and more. There were allegedly kids' activities inside one of the buildings, but there is only so much two women with four kids 4 and under and two giant strollers can manage (this facility was definitely not stroller friendly and it was very crowded). So we made it up to the big girls by getting their faces painted.
Abbey shows off her flower, Isabel gives me a sweet smile, and Elliott wanders about looking cute.The Japanese dancers were a bit disappointing. First of all, none of them were Japanese! Which I suppose is okay but just seemed less authentic. Their first dance was pretty but when they turned on the music for the second number, with that strange strangled sounding singing, Elliott put her fingers in her ears and shook her head no! That's when we left.
At least they looked pretty. 
The two hardest working mamas at the festival: Ashley with Jonathan and Isabel; me with Abbey and Elliott.
6 comments:
Where are your coats, hats, mittens and scarves?? Surely there is no place in this country that does not need those! That would be crazy!
We are jealous, but hope you had fun!
Love...Heather
Where do you find all these fun things??? You are always doing something fun and creative. Great pics! Looks like you guys had a great time!
That looks like so much fun!
How great that the girls have been exposed to different cultures! Looks like a fun day!
oh wow! how cool-your kids are going to have so many awesome experiences!
Sounds like fun, except for the Crowds Vs Strollers.
You'd think event organisers would think a bit, especially when it's aimed at children?
Your girls are so cute - with or without flowers on faces or sweet little Japanese tops.
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