I'm doing a little catching up. May 1 was a holiday. My kids still had school, but after they were finished Katherine and Lauren really wanted to walk down to the beach. I warned them that it would be crowded because of the holiday. We chose to play at the "uncrowded" section.
They had so much fun together.
The water was really NOT pretty at all. I have not seen it look like this before. I guess it was low tide? Regardless, it did not stop everyone from having fun. It was an all out crab hunt!
These are the little guys my girls caught. They wanted to bring them home so badly! I let them show Ayi and then they had to walk back to the ocean (not the beach) and throw them back in the water.
The cutest note ever ;)
This girl was so excited about their performance outfits! They had to try them on at class to make sure the size was correct.
Katherine, Lauren, and I went to our old city for the day because one of our friends had had a baby. He was a month old and she asked if we could come to visit. When we got to her house they served us fancy apples.
He was so cute. He was sound asleep in his bed when we arrived. She explained to me that in their culture, the belly is considered the weakest part of the body, so the baby wore a small little heating pad under his clothes taped to his belly and every time he rested, she would cover his belly with a hot towel. I'm thinking he must be burning up because I was dripping sweat with the heat and humidity, but he seemed to be used to it.
Apparently, if you go to visit a newborn baby in the home, they have to serve you pigs feet. yikes. Jonathan wasn't with me for me to pass it off to him ;) so, it was up to me to nibble away at these. They cook it in sugar and brown sugar so it's very sweet, but I don't really want to have to eat them again.
This is my friend, Melanie. The reason the girls came was to play with Annie (close to Lauren's age). It had been awhile since they have played together, so it was a good chance to catch up.
This is the lady that was hired to "help with the baby" for the first 2 months of life. She changed the diapers, held him, gets up with him in the middle of the night, cooks for the mom...basically does everything except feed the baby. Wow. That's crazy.
Yes, I got to hold Baby Wu. She asked if I would give him an English name that was close to his given name, so I named him William. :) Katherine said Drew, but then we realized no one would be able to pronounce it.
Seeing how much they have grown
They have both changed so much since the last time they played together.
Regan was super excited to meet the Korean Taekwondo Master. He is the highest level you can reach in taekwondo. He signed a board for her and said, "It was nice to meet you." :) She was on cloud nine.
Yeah! Some occasional blue skies are starting to return!
The cutest homework assignment ever.
I was trying to capture the seen of going back to school after lunch (in the rain). It's a see of umbrellas. I really couldn't get a good picture.
What?! Snickers. Really? Hot chili pepper flavored Snickers bar? Just leave it as a normal Snickers please.
The much awaited field trip to the aquarium. I say aquarium, but it was more like a Sea World, with many animal shows plus the aquarium.
Potty stop....I got a kick out of the phone holder on the inside of the door.
We are about to enter
Chinese White Dolphins on the endangered species list
Ha! The kids got so excited that they had a few rides in between. It's a good thing it was a raining overcast day....not as many people and no/very short lines for the ride.
Hudson and I by the dolphins. I had some really cool shots, but somehow they got deleted off my phone :( so sad. I'll have to look through Regan's good camera and borrow some of hers.
sharing an umbrella
The largest aquarium in the world.
Look at these crazy worms! They were really strange. The picture didn't turn out well, but interesting to say the least.
Say cheese
Heading to the large tank to see the Whale Sharks.
This was Benjamin's favorite fish...the sting ray with a mustache
OK, little eels. There's plenty of room for everyone...no need to squeeze into the same hole.
tunnel...pretty cool
Largest underwater dome
another ride...through sections of the aquarium that are only able to be seen from the ride
I like the puffer fish...cute
My American Lobsters ;)
Emperor Penguins
Underwater tunnel through the penguin exhibit
The Polar region had bears! Who knew we would also see some zoo animals.
They started begging for food, so we bought some potatoes and carrots to feed them.
I think this was Benjamin's favorite...the polar bear.
And arctic wolves
The beluga whale show
These guys were pretty big and at one point they all came up out of the water and did their echo location sound....it was LOUD and really cool! It was definitely my favorite part of the show.
Hudson asked if we could please ride the teacups. So a few people rode with him.
After they exited, we were walking to the next exhibit and he completed face planted on the ground. I asked him if he was ok and did he trip...no. He was so dizzy from the ride that he couldn't walk. Poor guy. I'm glad Daddy can still carry him.
The kids begged me to ride this one. I love roller coasters, but I really didn't want to get wet. But I rode it....with my raincoat and hood on! :)
not your typical boat ride
The dolphin show
These three got to get a picture with the dolphins! They were so excited!
Waiting for the walrus, sea lion, and otter show
A few more rides before the aquarium closes (while we are waiting for the firework show)
a carousel
fireworks
and people on waterboards doing tricks in the air
I'm not sure I would want the fireworks coming out of my backpack!
On the way home....Hudson the back scratcher :)
pretty plants
fun at the house
The kids were asked to participate in a taekwondo photoshoot.
The much awaited Infinity Wars came out. We weren't sure if Hudson was quite ready for that kind of movie, but we decided to try it. I didn't really want him to feel left out. He said he would like to go. WE told him that it might be scary and if it was just to close his eyes....
I guess it was scary. He slept through the whole thing. :) I'm actually glad. He's not ready for that kind yet.
