2013 in Hong Kong

January, 2013

Dear Family & Friends,
This past month has been quick - with the holidays and having newborn Evan around we've been busy adjusting to being parents of two.  We had a wonderful Christmas - we woke up and opened presents, went to Church, and then came home and had a late lunch and spent the day opening more presents and playing with Patrick's new toys.  It was a great lazy day!  The next day we took a nice stroll on a hiking trail near our home.  On New Years Eve - we went to a nearby beach and just hung out for the afternoon.  Evan pretty much slept through the holiday festivities.

Evan - Christmas 2012

Patrick - Christmas Morning 2012

Stroll on Bowen Road - Dec. 26, 2012

Can't complain about spending New Years on the beach!

We finally got our pictures hung in our apartment.  Had brought some from home and still need to purchase a few more - we bought a nice painting at the Stanley market for our dining room.  I love it! It's a picture of a street near our complex in Wan Chai.

New picture!  Wan Chai, Hong Kong

We've also made it to Disneyland again and also went to Ocean Park which is kind of like a Sea World with lots of animals, but also has a few roller-coasters and rides.  For Christmas, Tom applied for me to be in a program where I was a 'Panda Keeper' for a few hours - if you are on facebook, you probably saw the picture I posted.  I worked behind the scenes with the panda zookeepers and helped prepare a meal for one of the pandas and got to go in their exhibit and scatter bamboo around their living space!  I also got to feed the panda!  There are four pandas at Ocean Park - I saw the two younger ones!  They are adorable.  I'd love to do the program again before leaving Hong Kong.  For those that know me, I have loved pandas since I was a young girl so this was like a dream of mine!  Tom won't really be able to top this gift!

Day as a Panda Zookeeper Helper

Having a nice chat!

Meal time - apple bamboo kabob

Patrick started playgroup at Woodlands Montessori School - he goes twice a week and either I attend with him or Norlie goes with him.  I love to go because it puts me back in the classroom and watching children learn is the absolute best!  This will be the same school that he will transition into when he starts nursery school in the fall.  Patrick also started soccer (Kinder Kicks) - he attends with dad on the weekends and he has a uniform that he is very proud of.

Park on the first day of playgroup

Waiting for the bus with mom to go to school (playgroup)

Kinder Kicks - stretching and warming up

Evan has been great - he is a good eater & sleeper.  Starting to get longer stretches in at night so that is nice.  He loves stroller rides!  I've seen a smile a few times - I'm thinking by next week the smiles will be more frequent.  Patrick loves him, but also doesn't pay too much attention to him.  He loves giving him his pacifier and giving him his blanket and kisses.

Evan - 1 month & loving life!

A friend from Bentonville, Val de Charette, came to visit us for a few days - she is moving to Shenzen, China for Walmart but started her move in Hong Kong with us for a few days. It was great to catch up with her and hear all about NWA news.  I'm already planning a trip out to see her and maybe do some shopping.  In addition, Dave Hasler, also from Walmart, was here on business and we were able to catch dinner with him one evening.  We went up to the Peak and had a great dinner!

Dinner at the Peak - Jan. 2013

Chinese New Year is approaching - Tom's mom is coming to visit for about 10 days during the holiday - Can't wait for her to arrive.  Patrick will love having his Mo-Ma around and Evan is dying to meet her :)

Sad to see the Irish end with a loss at the Bowl Game, but already excited for the upcoming season!  They had a remarkable 2012 season!  Glad to be an Irish Fan :) 

Hope everyone had a great start to 2013! Miss & Hugs!  Love - The Alessi Family :)

Notice any similarities in my boys' sleeping habits?