We ain't seen nothing yet!

The summer is here. I was just thinking this morning, somehow we missed Spring with the cool mornings and nice warm afternoons. Either way, it is HOT and humid. So far we have hit 97 F as a high, but according to our ayi, we still have at least another 10 degrees to go. If anyone ever feared we may not come back from the US, rest assured. There are only so many summers here that Doug and the kids will be able to tolerate.

Chair Anyone?

Carnival Day

Today was Carnival Day at school. Eric has been so excited that he could hardly sleep last night. Each kid got tickets and they go to choose which games and food they wanted to buy. Here are some of the highlights!

(Click on the picture of Eric to see more pictures.)

Happy 2nd Birthday Sophia!!

It is amazing how much difference a year can make. Sophia had a blast this year for her birthday celebrations and even let her big brother help her with her presents. We had a really great time celebrating with our family and our friend Brian, who was visiting from Chicago. And a special thanks to everyone who sent their birthday wishes. She truly felt like the special girl that she is.

Happy Birthday Sophia! We love you so much and are so thankful for that beautiful smile!

(Click on the picture of the cake to see more photos from her big day.)

Dora!!!!

Princess Pia

Here they come to save the day!!

Introducing Ms. Cat Woman and Mr. Batman!
(click on the picture to see more pictures of the Superhero birthday party)

Let the Party Begin!

The birthday celebrations have officially begun. Sophia had her school birthday party today with her friends. After we sang happy birthday to her in Chinese, we introduced many of her classmates to their first cupcake. It was really interesting.... Even though we kept telling them it was dan gao (cake), it wasn't until we cut it into smaller slices of cake that they decided it was safe enough to try. Good thing they had Sophia showing them how it's done!

Sheng ri kuai le Sophia!

The big cupcake reveal

"I'll take THAT one."

"Zhu ni sheng ri kaui le" (Happy Birthday to you!)

"What?? You can't waste it!"

Privileged

Having just concluded the holiest week in the Christian faith, we have been to church three times in the past week. And every time, we go through our standard checklist before leaving the house: coloring books and markers – check. Snacks – check. The church address in Chinese – check. Passports – check. Wait, passports? Why? Simply put, it is illegal to attend church in China if you are a Chinese citizen. Now, there are a few exceptions depending on the nationality of your children and spouse, but in general, that is the rule.

Good Friday service, passports in tow, we entered church without a second thought. We marveled at the diverse crowd, watching kids get scolded in at least 10 different languages for not sitting still. As we sat through mass, it was easy to forget where we were. A service like most others. I even found myself humming along with a favorite hymn from my childhood. When it came time for the Prayers of the Faithful, this one really hit home…

“Almighty and eternal God, you know the longings of people’s hearts and you
protect their rights. In your goodness watch over those in authority, so that
people everywhere may enjoy religious freedom, security and peace."

Religious freedom. My mind immediately stopped listening and started trying to digest the actual meaning of those words as I sat inside this immaculate Catholic Church in communist China. Looking down each pew, my thoughts were transformed. I now wondered how many people were “breaking the rules” by being there and how many others wanted to but couldn’t. Glancing down at my purse, I thought of my passport. Not necessarily its blue cover with the American Eagle on the inside, but the rights inherited by one lucky enough to possess it, both home and abroad.

As we walked out of the church into the bustling streets of the high-end downtown neighborhood where the church was located, one word immediately came to mind. Privileged. No matter what we believe, we have the right to think and to openly choose, even here in China. We are truly privileged. But what a shame that it requires a foreign passport to be so.

Happy Easter everyone!