Secret Pal, Not-So-Secret Pal

One of the best parts of this long journey is the really good people we have met
along the way. Kristen signed up for a "secret" gift exchange with her December DTC ("dossier to China") listerv group, through which we have met two (well, actually four) really lovely people. Two of them are still "secret," but we are learning a little about them from the marvelous packages that come every month.

Our Secret Pal...
Lives in Hawaii, and since her in-laws live in Australia, we're guessing that he's Australian! Her gifts have had a special, local theme. In February, we recieved the darling Hawaiian sundress pictured here, with little clown fish (like Nemo). Also sent was a simply marvelous book, Baby Honu Saves the Day, about a baby sea turtle who uses his ingenuity and big heart to save a beached baby dolphin. The book is illustrated with pictures of sea creatures and native hawaiian designs.


Last month, the beach theme continued with two great toys! Our daughter will head to the beach with her own backpack filled with beach toys. Look at the crab! How totally fun is that!?













Also, Nemo and his little bud, Squirt, showed up. We LOVE the scene where the turtles ride the East Australian Current, and we just went NUTS when we opened the colorful wrapping and found these little fellas!



This month's package, well, let's just say Socks was beside himself!
Our friends took a two week trip to Australia, and brought back some furry friends and a wonderful children's book for our daughter. The book is full of illustrations of birds and animals direct from the outback! Even a Kookaburra (remember the song?). And Socks, well he has some exciting new prey at home (see illustration below). I think he wants to visit Australia soon, too!



We love travel and love even more learning about the diversity of life, both human and biological. We were so touched, and are so delighted, by the thoughtful, imaginative and generous gifts from our secret Hawaiian pals!

The secret exchange ended in March, but our friends have decided to continue the exchange with us.


Our Not-So-Secret Pal...
...lives in London (Hi Jen!) Kristen was Jen's secret pal in the exchange, and since the secret exchange has ended we've decided to keep the gift-giving going! The theme for April was something from your hometown. Check it out....
The lion in this very charming children's book is actually part of the statuary in Trafalgar Square. He takes two lovely children on a marvelous tour of the sights of London while their grandma naps. In Chicago, we have lions in front of the Art Institute of Chicago (known to wear Bears helmets, or White Sox caps, depending on the season... Christmas wreaths, too.)


Another common interest we share is cooking (the Westman clan will appreciate this). The recipe I think I must start with is steak and kidney pie!

Jen's most recent package included a wonderful book on sign language for children! The little ones we adopt will only understand chinese, if they understand much language at all. Infant development specialists have suggested that new parents can use sign language to communicate with their infants. For little ones who are used to sounds of the chinese language, sign language will help them understand and communicate with their new moms and dads.


And now for the really fun part! Dave and I will be travelling to Wales, and to London in May. Plans are in place to meet Jen and DF for a lovely meal in London. We both really look forward to meeting them. Seems like a fitting way to celebrate becoming a multi-cultural family.