Summer Tales...JUNE 2011; Trip to Toronto

June 23 - June 28th

Su Yee had told me a week earlier that she was NOT going to get on a plane to see Nie Nie Jan and YeYe Hai in Toronto. We talked about the trip daily and she would stomp her feet and yell "NO, MaMa NO! NO Su Yee plane!" We live on a flight path for the local airport. Some of the jets are very, very loud. Su Yee still has a strong startle reflex and airplanes are not really her favorite things. She always points them out with great concern and trepidation.

Our little airport is very unique. Prior to going through security you can duck in behind the food court seating area and watch the airplanes take off and land through floor to ceiling windows. Su Yee watched and we once again talked about what might happen next. I have learned that talking things out is very helpful for her but I need to do it with a meaningful context. Thank goodness she was having a "good" day. She took the whole thing in stride and even walked through security on her own...so confidently she had the security guards chuckling. We had packed her a special carry on which she pulled around with some attitude. Seriously don't get in her way when she is pulling her pink puppy bag.

Su Yee finally met Patrick's brother Brian's family and YeYe Hai. Brian and Karen's kids were great with Su Yee and entertained her everytime we met up. Cousin Josh is particularly good with little kids. He volunteers with the preschoolers at his church and does a bit of babysitting. Su Yee just loved him and always had to hold his hand. He was so patient with her!

A couple of notable events and moments from our trip:
1) Canada Celebration by the Markham Chinese Society

Cousin's Benjamin and Nate

Cousin Josh and Su Yee patiently waiting for the Dragon dance
Su Yee: "Where's Dragon"....

MaMa: ..."There's the Dragon"... at which Su Yee started crying as it was way too loud and just a bit scary! 

Josh, Su Yee and Baby Cleo 

2) Two Guangzhou Girls: Meeting Tai Goo Po...YeYe Hai's older Sister 

plus cousin Rosita and 2nd cousin Rosalind

3) Lunch with the long time friends the Chan family

Sam and Theresa Chan, Taylor, Kiera and Justin

4) Ballet for ALL the LINGS with Ms. Harriet in Stouffville 

(First Ballet class for Brian and Patrick...Yes, I tricked Patrick doing this :)

Looking up to Josh

Uncle Brian took the whole class seriously

and then there was BaBa...Patrick had the poise and grace of a terracota warrior :) !

Auntie Karen and Ben with some high kicks

Arabesque...

...everyone was wishing for Talitha's easy extensions!

At least BaBa was more serious about the Tour en l'air

Cooling down

She was still smiling at the end of class...
officially the youngest student Harriet has ever taught!

After class ballet talk with Ms. Harriet

Home again, Home again, Fly away....well after a three hour delay we finally flew away!

(Oops! No pictures of YeYe Hai and Nie Nie Jan...good thing they are visiting in September ;)