Summer of FUN, humidity and Communist Propaganda

 Ahhh, summer. Nothing like 100° days with 95% humidity. There is an abundance of places to explore, things to learn and trails to run... oh, and also time to RELAX. I taught summer school for two weeks (2 hours a day) and we have some trips planned over the next few weeks (check the blog in mid-August for those pics). Although we are all homeSICK we are making due with our choices. We love and miss every one of you though!

Shamian Island. Many beautiful flowers, especially the Cora and Leas. 

Temple of the Six Banyan Trees

Buddhas 

Observing

Lunch at the White Swan Hotel

Beautiful Ash and her friend, Maple

Still making teepees

Cooling down

White Swan Hotel Atrium 

It's already been 100 years?

Really?

Pearl River Boat Cruise 

That looks like the Iwo Jima statue...

Horse ass blocking my trail run

Our new pet! Mini!

Rooftop pools

Fancy cars 

My new favorite movie

Soccer practice in our courtyard

Lea is reckless

Indoor soft play

😀

I would have loved this game as a kid

More Canal bike rides

Ashley's art wall (the elephant was a gift from a friend)

Liwan Childrens Park

Big bellies!

ITS EVERYWHERE

Literally...

Giant random ball pit at our local mall

Top of Huolushan (morning trail run)

Non English speakers think this is appropriate 

Canton Orchid Garden

Serious Explorer Faces

They grow up fast!

Muslim Hero Tomb 

Limping into SUMMER 2021!

FINALLY summer has arrived! The year ended like it started, abrupt and hectic... but it is over. Year one in the books! Guangzhou is also off the "risk list" (for now) and we can get back out. We went straight for the aquarium and zoo. Of course it is also, the "100 Year Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party" so of course, things are weird. Here are the most recent moments in time. We are missing all of you right now and keep thinking about when we can all be together again. Soon!

End of the year party

Examining Smaug, a classroom pet Gecko. 

Strange rides at the mall

CoVid tests in the rain. Also, that is the Communist Party Flag... which closely resembles the old Soviet Union flag (or is?)

Lea in a flock of swans

She was nervous... so cute

Kindergarten Class of 2021!

Loving sisters

Congrats Cora!

Even the parks are soaked with Communist Propaganda 

100 years!

When in China... 🤷

Ahhh, back to normal

Still feel bad for these guys... 

We miss the Shedd

"Don't worry man, keep looking at your phone. We'll take the picture around you." 

China 💘 China

Dancing

Drumming

Snowboarding

We got enough tickets for 3 pencils and two erasers!

Toucans

We can't pass it up

Hello!

Obligatory sleeping 🐼

Brown bears

Obligatory sleeping construction workers

Kevin taught us how to start the coals for our grill... on the damn stove! Who would have thought?

Commuter Robots

Okay already! These signs are everywhere! The People's Republic wasn't even founded until 1949... I can't imagine what THAT anniversary celebration will look like. 

Bridge to the clouds

First graduating class of BIGZ

May the next 100 years of the CPC be... smart. 

Till next time my friends! We love you.