Birthday Parties

After the Sports Meeting, we had a few days off for the May Day holiday. May day is like Labor Day in America. Our holiday was filled with birthday parties.

This is Hatty Lee. She used to be Camille's student and then last year she moved to No. 3 High School and became Erin's student. This year, she is Brad's student, so she knows all the foreigners! She invited us to celebrate her birthday at the park. We had lots of snacks, played frisbee, and opened gifts. 

Me, Leila, Becca, and Camille.

Our friends Becca and Adam and their kids even came into town for the party.

Our friend Celia's baby, Mao Mao, turned one! We were invited to celebrate with them! They did a mixture of Chinese traditions with Western traditions.

One Chinese tradition is to place several items around the table such as a ball, money, book, and instrument. They put the baby down on the table and wait to see what item they choose to pick up. Whatever they pick up is supposed to symbolize what they will do/be in the future. For example, if they pick up money, then they will be rich in the future or if they choose a paintbrush, then they will be an artist. 

Everyone was very excited to watch and her close family members were trying to persuade her to pick up certain items!

First, she picked up the ball, which means she will be athletic. They encouraged her to pick up some more items, so she chose money and a stamp. The money means she will be rich and the stamp means she will "attain a high position".

The birthday party was held at a hotel, where we were provided lunch. This is Dawn eating a soft turtle shell. Camille and I were kind enough to let her have it!

Birthday cake! Celia is an English teacher and has been working with foreigners for years. Birthday cake started in the west, but is a common tradition in China now, too!

Dawn with the birthday girl!

Us with the babies! Happy one year birthday Mao Mao!!