Chinese New Year is generally not officially celebrated here in Australia (no public holiday or big fanfare at the shops). But it is becoming a bigger deal over the past few year, particularly with the increasing emphasis on multiculturalism and embracing diversity. I went all out this year with all sorts of Lunar New Year themed activities : A Chinese New Year sensory/discovery tray; A Chinese banquet (complete with little felt dumplings); Cherry blossom branches with pink crepe paper blossoms; and A scissor cutting practice tray with old ang-pow packets. The big favourites were the felt dumplings (which were used in various pretend/imaginary play set ups); and this discovery/sensory tray – the base material used were red adzuki beans (not recommended for babies or very young toddlers) which the children enjoyed scooping and pouring to their hearts content. ~~~~~ For our own family festivities, I cooked a big family dinner on the first day of the Lunar Year. Then over the weekend, ...

And so it begins… My last baby is off to school! The experience this time definitely feels very different from the first time round . Almost every day several weeks before the term started, Grace would ask: “Am I going to school today?”. “Not yet baby, still another three weeks to go”. The anticipation was reaching almost breaking point. We had already bought all her school supplies, got her school bag, lunch box, school uniform, school hat, school shoes, got everything labelled and packed up neatly for her first day. One night during our regular bedtime chats, Grace said to me… “Mummy, do you want to know something?” “Sure, what is it?” “When I go to school, I know how I can find a friend!” “Oh? How?” “I will go and say to them: ‘Hallo, what’s your name? Do you want to be my friend?’ – do you think that is a good idea?” “That is SUCH a good idea, Grace… it’s a perfect way to find a friend”. “Yes, I know”. And I’m happy to report that her first day went beautifully. She loved wearing h...