What a wonderful day!!!

After the nice dress up, we went to have lunch at Cheesecake factory at the Old Orchid Mall and had shopping for a little bit there. In the afternoon, we went to the Chicago Botanic Garden and met Pica. The orchid exhibition was very impressive. In the evening, we had dinner at Pica's home.

My best dress of the year

A nice ride at the Old Orchid Mall

Special Event of Orchids at the Chicago Botanic Garden

 

Playing with Pica

 

Goose dance

Slam-dunk followed by ball kicking

Drawing dots and lines

The Aquadoodle Mat is a no mess solution for excellent drawing.

Mall Shopping

Pianist?

Shopping for clothing

Basketball game with Dad

Preparation for the spring hike

I sits more comfortable in this KELTY kids carrier for off-road explore.

A not so cold afternoon

 

Screaming

Exercise with nanny

A great helper

While Nanny and Mom are away, I can do housework.

On the escalator

I got used to the inertia quickly and played several times later on with Mom :)

Playing with Dad in the family room

It was supposed to be our family room, but they put the bed here to accommodate nanny and other visitors. Now, I take the afternoon nap on this bed, too.

I am back!!!

Sorry for this late updates as I had received some complains from loyal viewers :) Just share a good news with you: I brought a warmer weather to Chicago from Taiwan. It has been a long winter here, I know. Hopefully, we will be able to go out and enjoy nice sunny days soon!

 

A warm home-coming with nanny! She said that I am taller than I was 1 month ago, YA!

In Taiwan

Happy Chinese New Year!!!

I will fly back Taiwan with Mom tomorrow and stay in Taiwan for a month. Therefore, you may not see my updates for a while. It has been pretty cold here and hopefully I will be able to enjoy some outdoors in Taiwan under warmer condition. Recently, I have learned lots of new skills, so impressive! Of course, I will give you more surprise when you will see me here a month after. Hopefully, the weather will be warmer here so I can stretch my hands and legs more frequently :)

 

During a month's absence, Dad will miss me very much...

Carrying my shopping bag

It is too cold to be outside.

Help clean up the kitchen

 

Single leg standing

 

In that posture, my right leg could raise above my shoulder :)

My ear rings

How creative I am! They do not wear ear rings. Whom have I learned?

 

Adorable, or not?

I am very expressive now. Even though I can't speak much, I have known lots of things, such as watch, pea, sun, star, fish, clock, lamp, duck from this kid's dictionary.

 

Learn to drive safely

My thousand smiles

 

Like mom like me

My 3 New Skills

 

Fishing, Riding and Playing drum

Great time playing in the public library

It is still too cold to have a field trip. However, I can still meet lots of friends in the library.



Cozy bean bag in the library

Happy birthday, Mom

We went window shopping in the Woodfield Mall and had dinner at Todai.



I can't wait for this delicious fruit tart.

In the Northbrook Mall

My 3rd time hair cut - doesn't feel so pleasant

But, at least, you guys can see clearly my nice looking teeth.

A new look of me

Happy New Year, Cheers!

the New Year Eve Party

Dress up

Meet with friends

Day 6 Miami Bayfront Park

We spent only about 2 hrs in a small Outlet at the Florida city. Then, we drove to Miami and had a tour at the Bayfront Park.

Street performance

Day 5 Hemingway and sandy beach

Hemingway had stayed in the Key west and wrote world famous "The Old Man and the Sea" here. After touring his house, we had a short stop at the President Truman's "Little White House" and then drove to Bahia Honda State Park which was the only sandy beach in the entire Florida Keys.

My very first mini skirt

Do we look similar?
Learning to walk in long distance outside the President Truman Little White House

My first time on the beach. I am not afraid of waves.

Day 4 Key Deer Refuge and Key West

Key deers are the endangered wildlife in the Florida Keys. Therefore, we spent some hours looking for one. They are pretty shy and smaller than the normal deers. Key West is a famous spot for tourists because it locates in the Southernmost of the US and has winter temperature closes to upper 80s!

Day 3 Glass-bottom boating tour in Key Largo

We had an all day event at this John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo.

Day 2 Everglades National Park

Of course, wildlife viewing and walking on the trails were our main target today. We saw lots of alligators, two crocodiles, lots of wild birds and lots of mangroves. Because it was the dry season, we did not bother too much by mosquito.


A warm Merry Christmas wish from Ella at the Arctic Circle!

Day 1 Our accommondation at the Florida City

We had a pretty early flight from Chicago to Miami. After we received our rental car, we drove to the Florida city where we would stay 4 nights in a local hotel. It was pretty warm in this Southern part of the Florida. We have no problem to wear just shorts the whole day. Can't imagine that we just traveled from the icy Chicago.

Jolene on the move

 

Our Xmas Decor