Lion dance 2011

In celebration of Chinese New Year (and my best friend Amanda's birthday) there was a lion dance at Forest Hill this morning.

The children were happy to receive more red packets with chocolate coins inside.

We missed the lions dancing on the poles (see last year's pictures), but we followed the main lion as it went from house to house "evoking good luck" in the upcoming year for the occupants of each residence.

The loud music of the drum and cymbals is used to scare away “evil spirits".

At this apartment a few leaves of lettuce with a red envelope was hung up high in the doorway. The lion dancers used their skills to retrieve the items.  The head dancer removed the red packet, then he tossed the lettuce leaves to the crowd. Apparently the act of eating and spitting out of the lettuce symbolises the distribution of wealth and prosperity to everyone present. 

This video was taken in our building.

After finishing at Forest Hill, the lion dancers moved in procession to our neighbouring estate.

Keegan's creative side

I don't think about Keegan's creativity very often because his sporting abilities tend to dominate his personality.  However, lately I've seen a different side to him...

This is a shoe shop he made with Jemilla's doll house furniture and shoes. Keegan sorted and found numerous pairs of Barbie shoes with which to stock the shop shelves. On the left is the "bargain bin" with odd shoes. Because they are missing their pairs they are half price, Keegan says. "Soccer Brother" works in the shop.

I came home from work one afternoon to find that Keegan had made his own laptop computer from two pieces of cardboard. He has it set up here on his desk "downloading" some photos from Tirzah's toy mobile phone.

And here is Keegan's latest Lego creation. Can anyone guess what it is?