New Year's Eve

As the children had a rest this afternoon, we decided to go out to find some New Year's Eve action tonight. We headed to Sha Tin Park, Sha Tin Town Hall Plaza and City Art Square where the Leisure and Cultural Services Department presented the New Year's Eve Countdown Carnival 2010 with free admission.

We all wore glow-in-the-dark items to add to the festive mood. Within the parks and shopping centre we found many stages featuring a variety of entertainment, including modern dance, tap dance and jazz dance performances, percussion, folk songs, a symphonic band and pipe band, as well as acrobatics and pop singing. Due to our late arrival at the event, there were already large crowds congregated around the stages, so we had trouble viewing the performers unless there was a TV screen.

We gave up on the singers and dancers after a while and moved to the area for interactive children's games.

First we tried some air hockey.

Then it was archery practice time.

We set up some block dominoes.

Then rode in a mini roller coaster.

The object of this game was to try to knock out just one block without hitting over the whole tower. None of us could do it successfully!

This was a fun game, throwing the enormous dice and moving forward on the huge game board.

We bought some fairy floss as a snack.

There was an outdoor film "Ah Ying" playing.

Craig was interested in the old movie reels.

On our way back to the MTR station we met some interesting characters.

Despite the chilly weather, we had a fun night and were glad that we didn't just stay at home.

Dentist

The kids have spent most of their two-week Christmas holiday playing at home with their new toys. However, they did take a break from all the fun to go for an annual dental check-up. Craig took these photos on the day he took Keegan to the dentist.

They hardly had to wait at all before they were called for their turn. Keegan first had to demonstrate how he brushes his teeth, while the dental nurse made a few suggestions.

Keegan happily put on some sunglasses and waited patiently for the dental nurse to check his teeth.

No cavities or anything! Keegan was given a good result.

But I'm not sure if I approve of this treat from his Dad for being brave at the dentist!

Wordless Wednesday (seventeen)

Au revoir, Natalie!

We were sad to farewell Natalie this morning, as she left for her home in Xi-an, China. Tirzah will especially miss her as she formed a close bond with "Aunty Natalie" during this Christmas visit.

Reading books

Playing hairdressers

Playing doctor and patient

Here is Natalie going a little crazy at the Americome store.

I'm sure it won't be too long before we see her again as we have promised to visit Natalie in China sometime during the next eighteen months.

Christmas at the Harveys 2010

Happy Christmas to all my loyal readers! I hope you've had a lovely day with your families celebrating the birth of Jesus.

Our Christmas day started at 7 AM with the children opening their stockings. I love this photo of Tirzah as she wrestles with the wrapping paper and sticky tape!

After the stockings were opened, we spent some time chatting with Craig's family in Dubbo via Skype.

On the screen you can see Craig's grandfather, mother, sister and nephew.

Then we went to church for the 10 o'clock Christmas service.

We ordered a full Christmas lunch from a restaurant, so after church we just had to pop it all in the oven to warm up. I insisted on the traditional in-front-of-the-Christmas-tree photo before any gift-opening could begin. Didn't Natalie take a lovely family photo?

Then it was finally time to unwrap our presents!

Jemilla's favourite present was a pull-along Barbie bag for her school books from Nana and Grandpa.

Keegan says he has three favourite Christmas presents: his baggy green cap from the Priors, his soccer card folder from Nana and Grandpa (he is holding it in the photo), and his remote controlled car from Mum and Dad.

Tirzah was so happy to receive her own Octopus card for public transport in Hong Kong.

I took this photo last week to show that she has finally reached the height of no longer being free to travel. Up until now, Tirzah has sat on our laps on the buses and slipped under the MTR turnstiles with a pretend Octopus that she used in imitation of her big brother and big sister.

Here is my special present from my dear husband. This is a print called "Prosperous Hong Kong" by a Chinese artist named Chan Kau On, bought at Stanley Markets.

The painting's bright colours remind me of kente cloth in West Africa where I grew up.

Natalie was thrilled with her new Bucephalus from The Black Stallion.

And here's Craig showing off his Aussie undies from Keegan and his Aussie cuff links from Jemilla.

Despite all the anticipation and fun in exchanging presents on Christmas day, our family knows that the perfect Christmas gift can't be bought...or wrapped...but it is free to everyone who accepts Jesus into their hearts. Merry Christmas from our house to yours!