30 April 2009

Beijing Part 2: The Great Wall at Badaling & the Ming Tombs

We "climbed" the Great Wall of China (at Badaling) which was a big feat for young Sofie. To us, it was a gorgeous view and a historical moment. For Sofie, her anticipation had been building since she had been watching Dora's World Adventure, during which the last stop is the Great Wall. Of course, she applied it very literally and wanted to jump OVER the Great Wall, as well as inquired whether Dora's wall was also very dirty. And lastly, when we climbed down, she wanted to know: Where are the friendship bracelets that we were there to collect?!


"I DID IT, I DID IT, I DID IT, HOORAY!"


We also visited the Ming Tombs, which ended up really just being a visit to one emperor's massive tomb. I found it so difficult to believe that the emperor and his 20 concubines... AND his massive amts of priceless treasure... were actually still buried there, and that there really truly had been no one there trying to pillage it for personal gain?!
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29 April 2009

Beijing Part 1: Tiananmen Square & The Forbidden City

The Fu's at Tiananmen Square
(the children were underwhelmed so we did not stay long)

The Forbidden City was massive! We were a little unsure as to just how large it was, and spent over an hour putzing around the first courtyard, thinking that we had seen the entire thing. Little did we know we hadn't actually even gone in! Once we strapped on our audio tours and foraged on with our 2 strollers (which was masterfully learned to bump up and down loads of steps) we spent a good 5 hours there. We found it incredibly interesting and rich with history - and scandal! Sofie even loved it, particularly the marriage exhibit, of course.

Sasha about to "enjoy" the Forbidden City on a full belly!

She passed her time by playing "pull-my-socks-off-over-and-over-and-throw-them-and-lose-them". She had a rather good time...

No Blue Guy at the Forbidden City? Then I'LL be Blue Guy!
Imagine the girls back in the day


Sofie was really fascinated by the original artifacts... and channeling them!

27 April 2009

Visit to Shanghai

Bubble tea at the night market


Some interesting finds at Marks & Spencer...


Look what we bought!

Sofie and Jolene meeting for the first time... looks like they hit it off!

Hanging out on the Bund
The 2010 Shanghai Expo's Mascot: Haibao
a.k.a., "Blue Guy" as Sofie has named him...

Haibao is a "人" (people)-shaped mascot that is apparently a goodwill ambassador for the Expo; he "is embracing friends from all over the world with his arms and confident smile".
Obviously. He had me at the wave.


Look at those confident moves!
We soon found ourselves in need of another stroller, in large part so Sofie wouldn't TOUCH anything...

A glimpse of the nicer side of Shanghai: Xintiandi

Sasha excited to eat at Din Tai Fong (of all places!)!
One last lovely dinner with Eric, Julia & Jolene

21 April 2009

Teeth!

Sasha's pearly little nubs

Happy Birthday, Su-Ting!

 
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Barbie Installation

Sofie: "My Barbies are doing exercise!"
(yes, she set this up totally herself)

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13 April 2009

Sofie at 3 years old

Skills: Obsessing over princesses, sparkles and dresses/skirts that fan out when she twirls, talking like an 8 year old, speaking and singing Mandarin, getting around on her scooter, using a computer (both her Barbie laptop and a real computer), assisting in baking
Strengths: Negotiating, pretend play, writing the alphabet, singing and dancing




Sasha at 9 months

Skills: Crawling, standing, cruising, talking, head-bob-dancing, kind-of-clapping
Strengths: Eating (anything), sleeping, laughing!




12 April 2009

11 April 2009

Sofie's First Concert...

We went to Macao for the weekend to catch John Legend's final show of his latest International tour... and for Sofie's first concert! She loves his music, we kept her up way past her bedtime to go to the show. She was in total awe... but feel asleep on the way home



05 April 2009

Here and there




Singapore

Had a fantastic trip to Singapore hanging with some old friends from Tokyo...


Sofie on her millionth plane ride

Zenna and Sasha having a Cheerios snack date

Alex and Sofie wrapped up in Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

Poor girls were so hot at the zoo and waterpark...

Su-Ting took them for a dip to cool down

We think Sasha kind of likes it! Maybe.

Sofie's first pony ride

Excitedly awaiting their turn on the carousel. This was no simply horse carousel... this one had exotic animals that were exquisitely decorated

The daddies and their carbon-copy babies

Sasha's first carousel ride!

On the sea otter




Hanging out at East Coast Seafood - JUMBO Crab, our fav