Family day first....

Matteo has been asking for a few weeks to go skating, really he is asking to learn how to skate. He is being influenced by some of his friends in preschool so not sure if this will be a short interest or something he is really interested in. We have been taking a second music class and it is hit and miss with his concentration and interest, though not sure the time we go is helping?

Anyhow over the past month we have been preparing and then were delayed when we were both sick. Additionally had trouble finding a proper helmet for him.  So today, on family day, I decided if it wasn't too cold and if Matteo was willing, we'd try it out....and he did!!

Chuc Mung Nam Moi and...

a happy Valentine's day and Family day too !

We finally were able to reschedule our Tet party and everyone had a great time, though we are all tired today.  Tomorrow is family day here in Ontario (and I think in a few other provinces too) and Friday was Valentine's day so we thought sandwiching our Tet party in-between both was a great way to enjoy the spirit of all three.  And of course we were both feeling better though really not totally free of whatever bugs we've been battling.

Here are a few photos to remember our day and to bring in the New Year! Here's hoping that the year of the Horse is wonderful for everyone. The horse in the photos actually belonged to my mom and it was wonderful to pull it off our shelf and have it at the centre of our celebrations.

TDH Ontario January 2014 Newsletter

If you're interested in an update on International adoption and a few great family stories, click here.

Yum.....not bad at all!

Plan B for Tet celebrating falling into place...

As I write this the snow is falling and Banh Chung is boiling in our pot, 5 squares (well not exact but square-like).....Matteo and I both had a great night's sleep for the most part (though we've both been really cranky with each other all morning) though Matteo still had a fever at 2 in the morning but otherwise has been fever free since waking up.  I, on the other hand, still have symptoms, but am feeling better so with a little better health on our sides I decided to try to assemble the banh chung, otherwise it too would head to the freezer.

The following are photos of Matteo helping out at the start....of course I did the folding and tying etc...I learned an awful lot and definitely a little mould would help - but we managed. There is an Italian expression that says something about the first time you make something, don't expect it to be great, so I wanted to just go through the process to understand all its parts. For now, I'm happy with the results...and of course, hope it tastes good too!!

So once again Happy New Year!

Chúc Mừng Năm Mới! Happy New Year!!

Well things have not fallen into place as we had hoped.  The house is decorated, the Ao Dai was ready to be worn, the red envelopes were ready as was the tet candy and the menu. The house was also more cleaned than it was last year, our (fake) peach blossoms are out and look lovely, our ancestor's altar was almost ready, our lists had been made for final details and then to our dismay, our Tet party for tomorrow had to be postponed.

I have developed bronchitis and in addition to antibiotics am also using an inhaler...and today, got called from preschool that Matteo had a fever....so we are laying low, trying to rest, and heal and not be too disappointed that we had to postpone our party.  And to top it off we got a surprise message that the family who I travelled with to adopt and who also adopted a little boy, would be in town!!...but we might not be able to see them either!!

So now our cake is now frozen at the baker's and our Banh Chung is half ready. We are hoping to assemble them tomorrow if we have energy or I'll have to make a decision on a plan B for that too.

Many little ones in Matteo's preschool have been sick with croup, and other viruses and many of my not so little students too...add to that a stressful time of year with end of semester and then finding out that next semester I'll be at two schools (two great schools which will be challenging but I am so happy too)....and of course the end of the last semester is not quite finished, marks are still being calculated, and prep for the new term has yet to happen....therefore I'm sure all of this has helped to let those bugs into my already over stressed system such that I/we have had to bow out of all the plans and sit and watch the cars go by so to speak!!  As it turns out, we are expecting a big snowfall/storm tomorrow so many of our guests may have bowed out anyhow....so maybe it is a luckier start to the year than we think!!

So, for now, from our home to yours, may you have a wonderful beginning to the new year!

May health always be part of your lives and hope that following that much happiness, prosperity and of course love to hold it all together!!

Chúc Mừng Năm Mới ! Happy New Year!!

Making Banh Chung for Tet...a mother and son experience....

Matteo and I are going to try this this year!!  Wish us luck!  Of course I'll report back with photos!

The recipe we'll use is here.

Folding Banh Chung banana leaves without a mold.....watch it here.