How we survived spring break

We decided to stay home during the school break last week. It was a national holiday on Tuesday, tomb sweeping day (清明节 Qīngmíngjié) and things were pretty quiet around here. So, in addition to hanging out and working at the new coffee shop, here are a few things we did to keep from driving each other crazy!

1. We kicked off the break with a trip to the nearby beach Friday after school.

It didn't take long before we were counted as one of the attractions at the beach. Milan and William alternately ignored their adoring fans and posed for them. The weather was beautiful and we enjoyed some relaxation in the sand.

2. Two words that have never before been used together: Balloon and Kite.

Tim was determined to make a new balloon creation that could fly, a kite made entirely out of balloons. He is a very ambitious clown and spent many days of the week-long break creating three different balloon kite models.

The first design, the eagle balloon kite, only reached 5 or 6 feet off the ground. But it was beautiful.

The next day he made a balloon kite with more surface area to hopefully fly better.


Unfortunately, the perfect windy days did not last and the latest model has not been outside. This one is a box kite design that is sure to fly if the next windy day comes before the balloons deflate.

Stay tuned for more balloon kite designs, because when he figures this out, it could change the world of kite flying and balloon tying forever!

3. Other silliness with balloons as a result of all the balloon kite construction

Do not try this at home. He is not allowed to try it anymore either.

4. Climbing the Ningbo Tower Tian Feng Ta 天封塔

My new favorite thing to do in Ningbo, and it only costs 5rmb. This was during a great afternoon in Ningbo with Milan's friend William and family. Shopping. Eating. Climbing a tower. What more can you ask for?


5. Coconut cupcakes with lemon-lime frosting for grill night.

Thanks to my sister-in-law Tina for the cookbook Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World!! Still so many fun recipes in there to try!

6. Amazing 27 mile bike/hike into the mountains.

For those of you who know the area (um, maybe 3 of you), we rode about 8 miles up Chinese Chicken Hill and then took this path on the right side of the road, up and over the mountain:

The whole trail up the mountain was paved with these beautiful stones. I think it must be a very old trail, and it was busy with quite a few people harvesting wild bamboo shoots.

We stopped for a lunch break at the top where there is a shelter and a religious shrine surrounded by bamboo and prayer flags.

Then we biked down the other side of the mountain, through some beautiful villages and to tiān tóng temple 天童寺.


And somehow found our way home! It was an amazing ride and Milan did great, napping twice on the bike seat, singing at the top of his lungs when we rode downhill, and enjoying the scenery and the hiking.

7. We closed out the week with a bang. Or a pop.