We set off to visit Ah Gong and Ah Mah early in the morning. The kids were seldom over at their grandparents' place so they were very excited. This year, I didn't get Alfee any traditional costume and I felt a little guilty. I didn't have time to source for costumes actually, even Sophie's costume for the celebrations at school was bought at Thomson Plaza just a few days before.
When we were children, I always loved the festive seasons. My parents would stock up goodies and drinks which were otherwise forbidden. We got to feast on anything we could get our hands on during visiting as well. Now, we don't follow the tradition, mainly for health reason. We don't want the kids to gorge themselves with sugar and fats, at least we won't encourage it.
BUT we could always indulge at Ah Mah's place. I let the kids have a go at the goodies. Naturally, they went for the crackers. They were not keen on pineapple tarts or soft drinks. They just wanted the crackers! And quite frankly, I love 'koropok' as well... My detox going down the drain...
Another reason why we used to love Chinese New Year - Ang Pao. I doubt the kids actually understood the significance of red packets but they still felt happy to have received them. We stayed for a while before heading back home for brunch. Our next stop - Ah Boh's house.
Uncle Simon and Auntie Adelene were already there when we arrived. Like last year, they went to get some lunch from McDonald's. And of course, the little ones just happily ate as much fries as possible. We heard from Uncle Simon that McDonald's was very crowded and there were families having reunion lunches there.
Ah Boh's study room is probably Sophie's favourite place in her house. She loves to climb up at Ah Boh's desk and draw. It's like a special workspace and I hope I can duplicate that in her room for her soon.
Well, I booked two tickets for the show 'Room On The Broom' for Sophie today. I grabbed the tickets not knowing that the show would be on first day of CNY. So, Papa left Alfee and I at Ah Boh's place and took the Little Missy to the show. Papa reported that the show was good and Sophie enjoyed herself greatly.
After the interval, we went to Papa's uncle's place for a visit. Almost everyone from Nae Nae's family was there. Every year, everyone would congregate there for a traditional Hainanese Dinner. Although I never like such social gatherings, I appreciate that such traditions keep the family together. How else would the kids know their relatives?
We didn't stay for dinner. We left for home so that the kids could eat and rest early. We were still paranoid about lack of rest and junk food. This year, we were not ambitious in visiting relatives. Sophie kept asking why nobody visited us at home and I found myself speechless. Perhaps it's time to create a new tradition...
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