Highlights from Pa Pa and Nei Nei's Visit

What a gift it was to host Emily's parents (Pa Pa and Nei Nei to our kids) for two weeks at the end of December!  Below are a few of the highlights from their fun filled visit.

After a brief weekend in Shanghai, Emily took her parents to Beijing.

One of the highlights was a trip to the Great Wall at Mutianyu. 

Back in Shanghai, Nei Nei helped celebrate Salome's 3rd birthday

by making tutus for all of Salome's friends who came.

Salome's Birthday Cake and Tea

It was so special to spend Christmas Day with family - especially when Pa Pa Santa visited!

Miriam was delighted to have her Samantha doll

Asa was ecstatic to get a Star Wars book - one of several Star Wars themed toys

Salome enjoyed her Merida dress (from the movie Brave)

Silas is the best Christmas present Em and Joab received this year!

After Christmas we were able to take Emily's parents to sites around Shanghai,

including an afternoon at the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum.

Asa Becomes a "Little Sprout"

For Emily and I, part of making our home outside our home country is learning to let go of the expectation that your children will share the same childhood experiences you went through.  Case in point - Elementary School Pageants.  In central Nebraska (where I grew up) we had seasonal music pageants that included traditional Christmas songs and Disney theme songs. 

For Miriam and Asa, the big first grade event is the "Little Sprout" induction ceremony.  "Little Sprouts" are the first in a line of government sponsored student organizations that Chinese students join throughout their educational experience.  While we don't support some "Little Sprout" ideals (IE: The Party is the Sun and the "Little Sprouts" are flowers), there are many common values around learning and family that we whole-heartily support.

To the kids, it is largely just part of their life in this adopted second home where your elementary school years include group song and dance instead of choir concerts with Disney themes.  Below are some pictures to capture the experience.   

Asa stands ready for his performance to begin

Asa and his classmates pretend to study as part of their performance

Asa and Miriam show off their "Christmas Themed" Scarfs:

Asa's Green "Little Sprout" and Miriam's Red "Young Pioneers