May this new year make you hop around with happiness!
A RETROSPECTIVE: 2010 was a big year for bébé Emmanuel, with a great number of changes. From being a little bundle of joy of last January, he has now evolved into a full toddler, walking and blabling his way around our house. Good natured from his birth, he is now more clear about his needs and desires. He squeals when Thomas the train is around, and loves to give his food to his brother. Observant, enthusiast and determined, Emmanuel is really not a baby anymore…
Noam also overcame several changes in his life. He started going full time in school at his usual Montessori Kindergarten. He had to learn to share and be patient, which is really hard when you are not yet 3 (or even 4)! He started to learn letters and he is mastering his numbers very well, in four languages! He started asking several questions, wondering about the meaning of life, or the practical things about our life. Very aware of small things, sensitive and very engaged in what he likes, Noam is a great boy. Very attached to those around him, he was a little sad this summer to have two of his best friends, Kaikai and Lyndon, leave to new destinations.
Isabelle has been busy on many fronts. In the spring, she started lecturing at the Beijing University of Architecture and Civil Engineering a course about development she prepared. In the fall, she resumed her Chinese lessons after one year of absence. And recently she started consulting on heritage and post disaster issues, and working on editing of technical documents for an international organization.
Pauli has tried his best to achieve a work/home balance. When he is not at work, he plays some piano, devours books and enjoyed the kids mischievousness. He added several miles to his frequent flyer cards with trips in several regions of China; Chongqing, Xingjian, Nanjing, Guangzhou, (please add). and even to international destinations; DC, Amsterdam, Seoul, Ullan Baatar.
All these miles paid off as we were able to escape during Chinese New Year to Koh Lanta, in Thailand with 2 couples of friends. It was one of those perfect holidays. In May we spent 3 weeks in Israel with family, and for once had time to enjoy everyone and more. In June we went with some other friends to Sanya, a small island south of China, for some resort break for a long weekend. And in July Isabelle escaped Beijing’s heat with the boys with her family in Rivière-du-Loup. Pauli eventually joined and we set off for a Great Gaspésie tour with cousins and kids. Then some friends from DC joined us for a quiet week in a picturesque village nearby. Another memorable holiday! In September, Nurit and Liam came and after a brief tour of Beijing, we headed to Disney in Hong Kong. In the fall, we got ourselves a car and we ended up spending some time exploring Beijing’s surroundings.
Warm kisses from Beijing
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