Back from Shanghai

Here some pictures from our trip to Shanghai


Mia loved to look for cats around the building where Ji parents live - and she found quite a few.

First visit to the World Expo: Artwork at the South African pavilion

At the South African pavilion: Moments before the South African president came for a quick visit

Mia's first ferry ride to another part of the Expo

Ferry ride
Artwork at the Latvian pavilion

Relaxing at a park
At a park
Selling pets at Qiboa village

Qibao village
Uncle Zhongwei and Mia's cousin

At a children's park
Mia and her cousin
At the second visit at Expo it was much colder

Mia posing in front at Lupu bridge - teh longest steel arch bridge in the world

Heading to Shanghai

This coming Sunday Mia will start her biggest trip yet: All the way from Washington DC to Shanghai. Her grandparents there are already excited to see her and so is her cousin who is only nine months older.

Posing

Recently Mia likes to pose for her frequent photo shoots. After building a little tower out of two jars and one toy she espcially requested to have it documented in a photo:

Another photo opportunity was as a new doll - a little purple fairy- she got from Ji's friend who went on a cruise in Alaska

On another day she was trying out different hats:


On the weekend she used a trip to the Potomac waterfront in Old Town Alexandria for some creative shots on a bench by the river:



Good thing she still has time for a little kiss for mama:

A Rainy Weekend

A rainy and cooler weekend was a good opportunity for Mia's first trip to a mall. There we met Ji's cousin Yilei and her son Ben. After lunch Mia and Ben tried their luck with a vending machine but none of them had any luck.

Mia also got a rocking horse and brushed her teeth like a real cow girl: In the saddle with the doll in one hand and the tooth brush in the other one:

21 Months Old

We forget to get Mia some cake when she turned 21 months today but she had fun at the playground. She enjoys the slides for teh bigger kids and always has an eye on a tricycle or a push car. Actually she can even pedal a little bit.

National Building Museum

A neighbor had told as that the National Building Museum has a special section for children. So this Sunday morning we headed into town to check it out. There really was a big area with lots of toys just for children and Mia had lots of fun. The rest of the museum we will have to check out some other time

In the afternoon we were at the waterfront in Old Town Alexandria again. We had ice cream and Mia saw the street musican again who performs for kids:

The Daredevil

For a few days Mia really enjoys going down slides. She tries even the high ones and sometimes even goes head first. We find ourselfs a bit surprised since Mia usually is kind of cautious and shy

Mia is also enjoying the bike trailer we got a week ago. For Ji it is now a good option to go places in our neighborhood.


Mr. Mimi has warmed up to Mia and is allowing her to pat and hug him.