Homework

At Kindergarten, Lizzy already has homework. She actually likes it at this point, we'll see how long that lasts. We don't have a desk for her yet, so she does her homework on the dining room table.


Hayden usually joins her during homework times. Here he is...ooh, is that the school calendar he's cutting up?

Breakfast at the Nikko

Last weekend we went to the Nikko Hotel for a buffet breakfast. It's kind of a Wang family tradition so it's fun to continue it with the Brandt family. Except for the Wang family can afford this tradition more frequently than the Brandt family....



After we walked in the restaurant, we as usual, asked for a highchair for Hayden. But we've come to realize, perhaps Hayden has outgrown high chairs. Look how high the chair puts him?! Why don't my kids listen to me when I tell them to stop growing!

Coffee!

Last week we went downtown as a family. When we passed by a Starbucks, Hayden exclaims "coffee!" and ran inside. Jason looks at me surprised, "how does he know?"

That's because I've been taking him for Starbucks outings since he was a baby. He likes coffee, I kid you not! Our favorite Mommy Hayden outings are Starbucks with caramel macchiato and a chocolate muffin. :)

Picking Lizzy up

Last year, Lizzy had a shu shu (driver) bring her home from school. he pulled right up to our apartment and Lizzy could come upstairs herself. This year, she is taking the big school bus that drops her off at the main entrance of our complex. So we have to go up to the gate and pick her up. Sometimes we'll bring Hayden along.

Choo Choo Train Bed

Some of you may know, I have not slept with my husband for two and a half years. Hayden has been in my bed while Jason has been living in the guest room. Most people comment, "you need to get him out of your room!", or they look sympathetically, "oh, your son can't sleep on his own?", and most often I hear, "WHY???"

Here are my reasons:
1) Having babies sleep in their crib in their own room is really a cultural phenomenon, most babies in the world sleep with their parents (I myself, slept in the same room with my Mom until 18!)
2) When Hayden was a baby, it was soooo much easier, I NEVER had to get out of bed to feed or comfort him. And it worked well only because I am a very heavy sleeper and can sleep through his tossing and turning
3) most importantly, I just loved it! I love snuggling up next to my sweet little boy every night, I love waking up with his cute little face staring at me, I love that I got to share this special time of the day with him for the first couple years of his life.

But alas, I also miss my husband. And our commitment was to switch him to his own room at around 2 years old. I kept finding excuses to prolong the switch (he's jetlagged, we have guests this week, etc.) but we finally did it! I bought him some special choo choo train sheets which he loved. And he has transitioned with no tears.

I wish I could say the same.

Moon Festival Party

On Monday we had a Moon Festival Party, and it was a wonderful time - full house! We had some very special guests. Here is Wang Lu's baby, he is 3 months old. I love this picture because it's like a big boy/little boy comparison. So cute.

Here are some guests to JH, Jiaobaji and her gu-gu (aunt) from Tibet. They are here in TJ to get surgery on Jiaobaji's leg.

Here's Hayden playing with one of our all time favorite toddlers in TJ - Esther Boogaard.

Part of the reason we love her so much is because she looks a lot like our nephew Xander when he was that age!

Poor Lizzy had to be put in isolation throughout the party because of her fever. I couldn't risk her getting the baby and the other kids sick! She said, "I really want to play with the other kids..." Poor girl.

Fever

This weekend has been yucky for our children. Lizzy came down with a high fever and has been battling for a couple of days. Today, she had to stay home from school, even though she is feeling better, she needs to be a-feverish for 24 hours before attending school. Inevitably, Hayden caught her bug, and is now struggling with high fevers as well. However, he is so sweet and hasn't complained much at all. Here he is this morning...
ayden

Beautiful Lizzy

This is a cyber "brag" book so I'm allowed to call my own daughter beautiful, right?! Sorry we haven't blogged in a while, it's been very busy. Last week, we had the kids' best friends, Sophie and Matthew Walmsley come visit (no pics, sorry!), and this week we had my friend from LA come stay with us. So we have been busy hosting house guests back to back. Lizzy wanted Lucy to be her Chinese teacher, but alas, she had to return to LA!

Ever since Lizzy has been going to school, we realize we have very little time to spend with her alone. So, we've instituted a weekend tradition that one parent takes her out for a meal. Last week, Jason took her out to Friday's, and took some pictures. Notice the beautiful blue sky, very rare indeed for TJ!

Got Milk?

Electric Bike

Many Tianjin-ers ride on these electric bikes. They run on an electric battery so you don't have to pedal and rides faster than a regular bike. You also have the option of pedaling manually, but then it's heavier. Here's Hayden riding on ayi's electric bike. He was a little daredevil! I'm glad Jason never reads my blog because he might not have felt so "safe" letting his son do this. Don't worry, grandparents, we've since bought a seat that sits in the back of the bike so Hayden will ride safely on the back of Ayi's electric bike from now on.

Bob the Builder

Can we fick it?!

I am a Giraffe

I bought one of these wrap around your neck pillows in the shape of a giraffe for Lizzy to use on the plane. Here they are playing with it before the plane takes off. Lizzy goofs around with it, and then puts it on Hayden, I thought for sure Hayden will get mad at her, but instead, he copies her! Hayden is such a copy catter!!

p.s. the kids crack up every time they watch this video. Silliness!