The Toy Box Years: Summer Recap - Dragon Boat Festival

The Creators of the Toy Box Years

The creators of the Toy Box Years are my two beautiful daughters and wonderful, handsome soldier husband.

"Nani" (our oldest) is a 11 year old 6th grader who loves Taylor Swift, ballet, books, fashion designing and sewing. Ask her what she wants to be when she grows up and it changes daily to anything from "an artist" to "a teacher" to "a singer/dancer". Nani is also currently fighting a battle against brain cancer -- recently diagnosed in June 2016.

"Nudgie" (our youngest) is a very smiley, very happy, very giggly, very spirited 8 year old 3rd Grader who's favorite toys are anything that gives mommy an anxiety attack - ladders, stepstools, the climbing wall at the playground. Like her sister, she has a love of reading and coloring, loves gymnastics and still provides mommy lots of snuggle time!

"My Marine" is my high school sweetheart. We've been married over 20 years and met when we were 17. (You do the math....) His favorite toys are Blackhawk helicopters, the lawnmower, our steam cleaner, and microbrew beer bottles. My husband is also my hero in that he proudly serves his country as a Blackhawk crew chief (hence his favorite toy!). And need I say that there is nothing hotter than my man in uniform!

All About Me......

Once upon a time I had a career and worked in the corporate world. Once upon a time, I dreamed about leaving that all behind to follow my true calling -- being a wife and mommy.

The first part of my calling was fulfilled in 1995 when I married my Marine (now soldier) and my love. Little did I know that being a military wife would change me in so many ways and that because of that, I would have an extended family all over the world from Japan, to California, to North Carolina.

The second part of my calling took a little doing, but I finally achieved that dream in 2004 with the birth of our first child, followed 4 years later by her baby sister.

So now, when someone asks me what I do for a living - I simply smile and say proudly that I'm following my calling - I'm a mommy and a wife -- and I couldn't be HAPPIER -- I'm living in the Toy Box Years!!

In mid-July, we went to the Dragon Boat Festival. Every year, this family-friendly festival celebrates Colorado's Asian Pacific American heritage. It's a 2-day festival that showcases traditional performing arts, cultural customs, cuisine, and a marketplace of unique arts and crafts. The highlight of the festival is the action-packed dragon boat racing across the lake.

Nani with part of the group that performed the "Awakening" ceremony

Dragon Boat Racing is an international sport that originated in ancient China. The sport is over 2,000 years old and is steeped in tradition. According to legend, Chu Yuan, a poet, warrior, and loyal aid to the Emperor, fell victim to plots and deception, and fell out of favor with the Court. When the old Emperor died, Chu Yuan was unjustly banished and wandered the countryside writing poems he hoped would be heard and heeded by the new Emperor. Despondent, he finally threw himself into a river. His devoted followers, learning of his death, beat their paddles on the water and banged drums and gongs to frighten away the fish from Chu Yuan’s body. In Yuan’s honor, athletes the world over still meet to commemorate his sacrifice for honor and justice.

Before the races begin, the dragons on the boats have to be "awakened". A tradition since the first Colorado Dragon Boat Festival, the Awakening the Dragon Opening Ceremony is a beautiful and spiritual ritual. Buddhist monks and other temple members chant as dignitaries carefully “dot the eyes” of the racing boats to awaken the spirit of the dragons, and to bless the athletes. Then a 75-foot dragon comes to life for a colorful dragon dance.

Waiting for the races to start

This was our first year going to the Festival, so there were a few things we learned and will keep in mind for going next year - like bringing a blanket and staking out a spot on the lake to watch the races. This way we could still walk around and grab some lunch and then come back and watch the races while eating.

Overall, it was a really nice way to spend an afternoon!