Firecrackers and a Monkey?

Okay, just as we were learning how to sleep with fireworks going off continuously every night, this morning we heard what sounded like 1,000 "Blackcat" firecrackers going off in front of our house.

The girls ran outside and quickly returned with the report that "there were a kzillion firecrackers going off and a large monkey-man walking around!...come look...come look!"

The next thing we knew our doorbell rang and there he was with candy for the girls and wishing us Happy New Year from the neighborhood management company.

Per the piece of paper that they handed us, this character is a traditional Chinese 'Mammon'. Later today we can go to the clubhouse for a demonstration on how to make Chinese dumplings.

And to think, the New Year festival doesn't officially end until February 9th....