Labor Day, A New Playground

The start of this week was Labor Day here in China. So Maddie had a special preschool day on Saturday, and then no school Sunday through Tuesday. I don't send her to weekend preschool unless she says she wants to go. This time she decided to go. She didn't want to miss the fashion show, I guess. What is extra funny/cute is that sometimes she'll start walking like they showed her in school for the fashion show. Hands on hips, shoulders back, belly forward, chin up. It's ridiculously cute and makes me giggle. I wish I could get a picture.

Have I mentioned how when there are holidays here that land during the weekdays, they just reschedule work/school during the weekend to make up for the days off of work? It feels like a holiday, but is it actually? I'm used to always having the weekends off, unless there is some emergency work situation, so I think I prefer the way we do it in the US. The last two days of a 7 day work week would really drag for me. Though, I suppose I would just love those holiday days even more after a 7 day work week.

Fundoland ("The Maze")

There's a company here called Fundoland and they seem to have play areas and arcades set up in most of the malls. They're quite impressive play grounds, but the equipment is all the same no matter which play area (mall) you go to. Each location might be rearranged a bit, but it's all the same. It's pretty clear that Maddie's getting a little bored with it all.

Recently I took the time to explore a new mall. I've been here many times on my way to the Indian Grocer because the metro lets out here. And last week I came here and actually walked the 7 stories of huge mallness that it is. It's easily miles of mall. I was quite pleased to find a new play ground for Maddie. This one was a different company and had very different equipment. It was pretty cool.

E-Kids Island, The "New" Playground
 Love the bouncing rooms with balloons

Maddie played there on Monday and then she was persistent about wanting to come back there again on Tuesday. So, we came back and she played again for hours, only to stop a couple times for food and bathroom breaks. Towards the end of her day playing she made friends with an older girl and they seemed to have a blast together. 

I sometimes wonder what we've done to her by moving here. I remember some occasions just before we moved when I watched Maddie make friends with a new kid on the playground and play with them. They were using words and negotiating. I was so impressed to watch the "parallel play" start to turn into playing together. Then we moved here, took away her ability to communicate with other kids, and brought her to a place where she sticks out and either gets favored or targeted for it. 

A couple weeks ago we were at a playground and these two older (5+) kids decided to target Maddie. They were pushing her, grabbing her, and just plain messing with her even as she was trying to get away. I got involved after she stopped trying to flee and started to hit and punch one of the kids. I try to give Maddie enough space to work things out on her own, because I really believe that kids will work out most situations themselves, given a chance. 

On the other side of this is just how common it is for people to tell us our daughter is beautiful (daily) and to give her candy and toys. Sometimes they even take toys away from their own kids and give them to Maddie. It's pretty weird and I've had situations where I've made it clear not to give her anymore candy and they'll give her more and more.