CRYSTAL AND ISABEL This is a weblog for Crystal Sun Zhao and Isabel Sun Zhao. As parents, we'd like to keep the records for them as much as we can.

Aug. 15, 2005, I came back from Toronto to Shanghai. The family stays together again after long time seperation.

Grandparents are so happy to come to Shanghai to see Crystal again. They go to Hangzhou together, also with grandmother’s younger sister.

Great grandparents come to Shanghai for a week to meet Crystal the first time. Crystal accompanies great grandparents to visita 朱家角 together.

Feb. 2005, we go to Sanya for a 3 weeks vocation together. Crystal is really having fun while staying there. Comparing to really cold weather in Shanghai, the tempature in Sanya is usually over 30 degrees. Crystal walks along the long beach with bare feet day and night. We also visit a lot of popular tour sites. This is one of our best vocations.

It has been two months since Crystal went back to Shanghai. She started to go to kindergarden in Nov. Gradually, after about a month, Crystal got used to going to kindergarden every weekday. Although she still cries a little bit on the way, she starts to make friends, plays with other kids, and knows the rules. Crystal also improves her speaking skill a lot. She can speak three or four words or a short sentence sometimes.
At the end of Jan., 2005, I will take a vocation back to China. More update on Crystal and definately much more her pictures are coming.

It’s really a sad day for me. Crystal is leaving Toronto back to Mom who is currently in Shanghai, China right now.

In the last three months, Crystal has tried many, many things the first time. She is becoming stronger and smarter. Especially she can say some short sentences now, with noun and verb. That’s a big progresses. She likes to mumble very much, and I can proundly understand 80 percent of it.

I don’t know how soon I can see Crystal again. But I will desperately miss Crystal. Before Crystal came back in July, I decided that I should did something for Crystal. I picked one thing I haven’t tried before, running a half marathon. On Oct. 24th 2004, I finish a half marathon in 1:57:12.5. This medal is for Crysal!

Weight: 13.4kg

Height: 90.5cm

H.C.: 49cm

Crystal has been really busy this month. It can be a long list of where Crystal has been. CNE, Toronto Zoo, CN Tower, Casa Loma, Ontario Science Center, and a couple of parks. Here are some pictures.

Crystal took her first crazy ride at CNE.

Lying on the Glass Floor with Dad on the top of CN Tower

At the top of west tower in Casa Loma

Have a simulation Bobsleigh ride in Ontario Science Center

Crystal has come back Toronto about a month now. We have been many different places almost every day. Crystal really enjoys going outside, and dad really enjoys taking her outside everywhere. Gradually, dad and daughter get along pretty, pretty well. Look at this picture, and you can see Crystal has got some tan now.

Since came back July 27th, 2004, Crystal and Grandparents have been really enjoying Toronto, beaches, trails, parks, food, festival, events… More exciting trips are still coming up. Crystal is healthy and very happy every day. Now, she always wants dad to be somewhere she can see, or she will start to look for dad. Gradually, Crystal is getting used to dad and relying on dad more and more.

Today, Aug. 8th, 2004, at the Taste of the Danforth event, dad got two very nice signatures from Veronica Brenner and George Karrys for Crystal. Both of them are Olympic Winter Games Silver Medallists. They are so kind to write these words to Crystal: “Crystal, Always dream.” and “Rock On Crystal!”. Dad really wish so. 🙂

Best Wishes to Canadian Olympic Team and Chinese Olympic Team!