10.25.09
One evening last week, Zhang and I found ourselves sitting at the playground while the kids ran around. Watching Yu and Schäfer play together reminded me of our Lotus Pond Gang days. I turned to Zhang and said, “I miss our little babies. I miss the Lotus Pond. We sat there for hours each day!” Zhang replied with a sincere, “Me too.”
Zhang is now busy with a new job as a cashier. I learned that if her till isn’t correct or if she has accepted any fake money, then she, personally, has to pay the difference. So far, she’s had to pay 200 rmb ($29) worth of mistakes, but she promises that she’s getting better at identifying fake money.
When she invited us to come to the Children’s Park on Sunday, Schäfer and I could hardly contain our excitement.
Schäfer and Yu shake hands with the QQ penguin.
Zhang offered Schäfer an Oreo. To my knowledge, he had never had an Oreo before, but apparently I was wrong. As soon as the Oreo was in his hands, he twisted the top off and started eating. I guess they must have served these at preschool.
Our play date also included another little boy who is 4. This was our first time to meet him. His Mom carried a backpack full of snacks for all the kids. She even brought paper cups to divide the snacks out. Love her.
Zhang and Yu on a boat ride.
Schäfer had such a good time driving the race car. (Last time we were here, he wouldn’t get in one, but the time before that he would. Thus, we could postulate that the next time he will not get in one.)
Sweet Yu.
Our final ride was an airplane ride. I thought it would be just like Dumbo, but this plane had some serious turbo. If it looks like I’m squeezing Schäfer, that’s because the plane forces you to the side. Talk about turbulence.
After this ride, our new friend suggested we go to one of the most expensive restaurants in town for “beefsteak.” (Chinese people assume all foreigners like beefsteak and eat it frequently. Beefsteak is just rubbery steak.) I recommended a little hole in the wall dumpling shop within walking distance, but then Zhang transitioned to shopping mode. No wanting to drag Schäfer to a bunch of clothing stores, we said our good-byes and headed home for egg salad sandwiches.
What a great play date!
For one thing… that penguin with the permanent shut eye looks kinda scary and as for beefsteak… they can keep that themselves… I am with you in the dumplings… but an egg salad sandwich sounds great too
Glad Schafer isn’t to squashed after that ride
Maybe Shafer had once eaten an Oreo..or maybe not. The first time Will got one he went right ahead and opened it. I think it is a natural human instinct.
I’m pretty sure the reason Schäfer loves preschool is because they give them cookies and soymilk everyday at the 9:30am snack time. The boy loves food!