The Mid-Autumn Moon festival is a Chinese family holiday to have a meal together, hang around gazing at the moon, children playing and making lanterns, eating moon cakes and telling family stories, remembering those who have passed and not longer at the family table. We invited a few friends at the last minute, to toast marshmallows, try a moon cake, sit and relax for an hour or so. With AA's bedtime routine, we only visited until a little after 8 p.m. The moon was very bright!
Here's more: Celebrate
the Mid-Autumn Festival by dining with family and then congregating
outside under the full moon sipping tea, eating mooncakes and swapping
stories. In keeping with the story of Chang’e and Hou Yi, it’s
traditionally a time to moon gaze, reminisce about family members who
have passed away and to remember loved ones who live far away. Kids are
allowed to stay up late and parade around with their lanterns. Ancestors
are remembered by burning incense and bowing three times in front of
the honor table. It’s also a great opportunities for the older
generation to share stories with the children or to read from a book of
Chinese poetry such as what you’ll find in Chinese and English Nursery
Rhymes by Faye-Lynn Wu or Maples in the Mist by Minfong Ho.
The kids weren't crazy over the marshmallows and s'mores, more interested in playing on the Wii games! The adults chatted and talked way too much about our adoption story; will move onto more current topics next time!
I was going to do some "Chinese Culture" activities, had a Chinese language coloring sheet, but didn't get to them; the kids seemed happy just to play together.
Ford got the fire going a bit too early, it was roaring and hot!
OPE Friends Bess (China - Adoption), her brother Jake (Adoption) and FI golfing friend Tyler (next to last from right):
We had a busy day with Avery's birthday party, golfing practice at WGV, the River House Octoberfest dinner and moon gazing!
.JPG)
