One thing I value is the amount of laughters that Darren has always brought to our lives.  Sometimes, his actions are hilarious.  Sometimes, his expressions are comical. Most of the times, his brightest smiles light up our lives. At other times, his words and innocence never fail to make us burst into laughters.

So, Darren came home with a school assignment on “Tradition and Culture”.  Singapore, being a multi-racial country, Darren was asked to complete the form whether he is a a Chinese, a Malay, an Indian or a Caucasian.

Then, he came asking me……

Isn't he as happy as the Chinese Fortune God?

Darren: “There is only Chinese, Malay, Indian, Caucasian.  How? I am a English but they don’t have this choice for me to choose.”

Mommy: “Darren, you are a Chinese!” [I was really surprised that Darren thought that he is not a Chinese. Oh no! He does not also understand the meaning of Chinese New Year that we are celebrating at this moment!]

Darren: “No. We speak English. So we are English.”  [I don't know whether to laugh or cry when I heard this claim. OMG! my little boy thinks that he is a non-Chinese because he converses mostly in English at home.]

Then, when Darren was also asked to draw what he does during Chinese New Year, he drew this……himself carrying two oranges. It seems like he is having more fun these few days, competing with Brendan on whom to present the mandarin oranges to the elders, and not understanding the true purpose.

Darren carrying two mandarin oranges.

So, it suddenly strikes me that I need to put in more effort to share with the boys our Chinese culture and tradition. What is a better way then reading him stories of the Chinese tradition, and letting him learn it in a fun way?  If you are also interested to engage your children in learning more about the Chinese tradition, I am sure there are many books and websites that offer this knowledge. 

[Meanwhile, do check out the website on Activity Village (click here). Here, your kids will have a fun time, learning and yet engaging themselves in fun activities like Chinese New Year (CNY) jigsaw piecing, CNY craft, CNY games, and CNY puzzles and mazes!  My boys are gonna have fun experiencing the different activities at this site.]

ON ANOTHER OCCASION……….

Today, my mom and Darren met my cousin. My mom shared with me what happened.

Cousin: “Happy New Year. Are you going to school? I am too busy to pay your family a visit.”

Darren:”Happy New Year.”

Cousin: “Uncle does not carry any red packet with me now. I will give you your ang bao (with money) on another day ok?”

Darren: “No. My grandma carries empty red packets with her. You can take an empty red packet from her and give me the ang bao (with money) now. Then you don’t have to wait till another day.” *faint*

[I can imagine the embarrassment on my mother's face. So, Darren is not gonna let my cousin off till he gets the "ang bao" that he deserves.]

As I say, this little boy REALLY makes us LAUGH …..so often….. with his innocence or ignorance:)

5 Responses to “Chinese New Year Laughters”