CNY Eve!

Yesterday was CNY eve. Ever since after marriage, we had to shuffle between 2 places for reunion dinner. This year is no exception. We reached my in-laws place around 6.30p.m and started our steamboat feast. There were great delicacies like scallop, abalone etc. Of course, my mother-in-law whipped up some of her best dishes like braised abalone, salad prawn etc. Jovin happily enjoyed the bear shaped fish cakes and she loved it so much that she practically reserved the whole plate to herself and refused to let anyone touch that dish. As we knew we had to proceed for our second meal at my mum's place, James and I didn't really eat to the fullest so that we could save our tummies for the deicacies at my mum's place. The dinner was great and it was a rare opportunity that we could all sit down and have a hearty chat cos we rarely meet up during normal days unlike my family when we do go to my mum's place for dinner every weekday.

We left around 7.45p.m and went for our part 2. This year was special as my sis's family managed to rush back from her in-law's place in JB and join us for reunion dinner! Mum was thrilled and she prepared much delicacies too. The food was almost similar to my in-law's place but it's really the family cohesiveness and ambience that marks the ocassion. We ate quite a fair bit too so as not to disappoint my mum's efforts and the 4 kids were enjoying themselves to the fulllest as usual, almost tearing the walls down with their screams and they had fun playing with the fire sparks too. There's still part 3 of the program! Every year, after dinner, we would proceed to the temple near Upp Thomson for prayers. It was around 11p.m when we reached there. Mum was guiding Jovin in kneeling down and making her prayers in front of the dieties and statues. Jovin really looked so religious and pious from the way she held the incense and it really triggered us into great laughter. All these years, we have been praying during CNY eve, so we would always make it a point annually to return our prayers during CNY eve. We then sent our parents to Guangming shan temple at Bishan. This year, couldn't join them as it was not very convenient for me in this state rummaging through the crowds.

We reached home around midnight and we expected Jovin to sleep. To our surprise, she was still wide awake and happily singing and dancing as she listened to the CNY songs on TV. Guess what? she stayed till 2 a.m! There's this traditional festive tradition that kids should stay up as long as possible to ensure longevity for their parents. Haha, our girl is so filial even at this tender age. But we guessed, she loved the part when we were actually playing and tickling with her on the bed, hehe... Next year, looking forward to Jovan's addition and we would have 2 little ones to mess and play around haha!