Bedtime!

Pssst... I have a secret!

  

Pssst... Feng!  Can we talk? I have a secret to tell you!

 

Yeah, sure.  What is it, Lin?

Well, you see... I was born with Down Sydrome. That means I have an extra chromosome.  I'm not really sure what that means, but I noticed I look different from everyone else.

 

You think you look different?  I think you look pretty good!

Yeah, I do look different.  But maybe that's not so important.  After all, I'm still cute!

You know what, Lin? I have a secret too.  I wasn't going to tell anyone, but now I know I can trust you.

 

 I was born with Down Syndrome too!

You've got to be kidding me!  I guess that's why I like you so much.  You're one of my very best friends.

Happy World Down Syndrome Day!

Spring Snow

 Winters in Beijing are cold, but also very dry so there is not much precipitation.  Thankfully, winters are also quite short, with warmer weather starting as early as March.  Public heating runs until March 15, and then spring is really here.  So imagine our surprise yesterday when we awoke to a winter wonderland!  Everything was covered with a beautiful, blanket of snow. 

The kids knew that such snow couldn't last long in the gorgeous, warm sunny weather, so they wasted no time in heading out to enjoy it!  Like all little boys, Yang was immediately drawn to making snowballs:

While the rest of the kids decided to combine their efforts to create something larger - a snowman!

 

It was a wonderful break from the usual routine.  Now we are really ready for spring!

Bookworms!