Happy 3rd of July!

On the morning of the 3rd, me and the gurls headed off to a local spray park for some fun in the sun.

In case you can't tell, Josie loves the spray park!

Clara Rose is a bit more cautious, but Josie will take some time here and there to encourage her little sis to try out some of the fountains.

Then she is off and running through the bigger fountains!

Josie refers to this fountain as the spider web.

Clara Rose would run through some of the more tame fountains.

Sitting on a fountain.

Later in the day a few friends came over for more summer fun and then we headed down the road to watch our local fireworks show. They aren't the grandest display, but it is within walking distance-- so no traffic!

Josie admiring her friend Claire's bubble blowing ability.

Funny faces from our friend carly and Jie Jie.

The funniest face of all!

Clara Rose didn't make it to the real fireworks-- as soon as a few folks started setting them off she was ready to go.  Daddy took her home.

Josie was scared at first but settled into my lap and began commenting . . .

Oooooo, that was pretty. That is my favorite. Oh that is my more favorite. That is my better favorite. . . "

You get the idea.

:-D

Happy 2nd of July!

We hope everyone is enjoying thier 4th of July weekend! We are definitely making the most of it in our home.

Saturday we packed-up all the kids and some yummy treats and headed off for a day at the beach! The very first for me and the little gurls.

So after two single time outs for Josie, one single time-out for Clara Rose,  one joint time out for both of them (really that one was for Mommy); a TON of sun block, double checking on sand toys, towels, chairs, the list goes on and on, but I will spare you . . . .

Josie hanging out with Jie Jie on the sun blanket.

Finding interesting sea-things on a walk along the shore.

Clara Rose- footloose and fancy free playing in the surf.

Jumping the waves.

Jie Jie catching some waves- body surf style.

Josie was very excited and proud of her Jie Jie!

Me and Clara Rose playing in the 'biiig waves!"

Jie Jie is holding Josie-- check out her legs!

Josie chilling on the shore.

Ge Ge chilling 13-year old young male style.  :-D

The true tale of a really fun day at the beach!

Chinese Parents Looking for Stolen Children were Jailed

By staff reporter Zhao Hejuan 06.29.2011 19:29

Person With False Identity Led Missing-Children Parents to Bathhouse

http://english.caing.com/2011-06-29/100274372.html

A man who identified himself as a parent of a missing child led Yang Libing and Zhou Yinghe to the bathhouse which was later raided by police, according to witnesses (Beijing) –

 

Two leading petitioners for a child-trafficking case in Hunan Province arrested by the police on June 22 for prostitution were taken to the bathhouse providing illicit services by a man with a false identity.

 

On June 21, Yang Libing and Zhou Yinghe of Gaoping Town led a group of parents to file a petition regarding the case of the missing children in Shaoyang City. Later in the day, Yang and Zhou were contacted by a stranger who said his daughter was also abducted in 2003, one of the parents present at the scene told Caixin.


The stranger identified himself as Li Hongfu with an identity card, according to the source. Caixin later confirmed with local police that the identity card was forged.

Yang and Zhou stayed in Shaoyang with Li that night while other parents returned home, said the source.
The next morning, Li invited Yang and Zhou to a local bathhouse. Police raided the bathhouse and arrested Yang and Zhou on charges of prostitution shortly after they arrived.

Li answered Caixin's call on June 28, saying he fled from the bathhouse on the day of Yang's arrest and made his way to Guangzhou. Li later hung up the phone, which has since been out of service.

Also on June 28, Yang Libing's younger brother Yang Lihai went to Li's village, as stated on his identity card, where the local village head said that the village did not have a resident named Li Hongfu.
Yang Lihai told Caixin earlier that his brother was being framed. "Shaoyang police have not cracked down on prostitution cases recently. How could my brother be arrested for that reason? Someone wants to restrict his activities," he said.

An investigative report by Caixin in May detailed a child-trafficking system run by local family planning officials. Children were abducted and sold to a local orphanage. The children were later adopted by overseas families.
The Hunan provincial government is currently investigating the child-trafficking cases.

Fun in Chinatown

Today me and a friend braved the crowds with our two sets of two little girls and headed off to a festival in Chinatown. It was a big adventure for all of us and all the girls had a really great time!

The day started with the traditional Lion Dance featuring THREE Dragons!

Amazingly enough, we had no screaming, tears, or any signs of fears that we have seen in the past during the Lion Dance.

 Josie was quite observant during our trip-- she noticed that many of the buildings had Chinese characters on them and that many of the people were talking in Chinese. She was really happy with all of her observations.

Josie was also quite focused during many of the shows-- a drumming show and all the drummers are GURLS!!!!

 The big favorite with the gurls (most of the girls in the audience I am sure) a very lovely pink and purple dragon!

 This is the first dragon dance of this sort that I have ever seen and was really a wonderful show!

 The dances all through the crowd and then ended it with a big bang of confetti!

 The girls scrambled up front to collect some of the pretty

shiny paper to bring home.

 Just when we thought the girls were restless and ready to walk, performances by several different dance companies,

eaturing traditional Chinese dances, began.

Josie is in the pink sun hat, bottom right.

 The girls found themselves a spot side-stage-- right next to the stage and stayed put for all the dance routines!

 We headed off for lunch and had some very yummy Chinese food and then went for a walk through Boston Commons.

 The girls soon began trying out some of their tumbling and

gymnastics routine on the grass.

 What a really fun day!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Oh yeah!

Spring has sprung and gone and summer is finally here!

One of the girl's favorite places, a spray park, opened this week.

These pictures are actually from our second trip-- we were so excited to go yesterday that I forgot my camera and MY swim suit-- so good thing I also forgot my camera!

The pictures say it all-- two very happy *gurls* that the hot days of summer finally arrived!

Clara Rose is actually sitting on a smaller water fountain.

 Josie helping Clara Rose become more accustomed to

water pouring over her head-- something that has not ever been an issue for Josie-- at least not as long as she has lived with us.

 I think she likes it when she has control!

Happy beautiful faces to end a happy fun summer-time afternoon.