Audrey and I were able to spend a weekend with my mom in San Francisco to celebrate Chinese New Year. This was Audrey's first time to China Town and she LOVED it! This was also her first girls-only trip and it was fabulous!
We had to show Audrey the ropes of shopping in the big city. My mom and I have been to China Town enough times that we have our favorite shops and we know which stores have the best stuff.
We know which store has the best selection of slippers.
We know where to find the best mud men. I like to buy one of these every time I visit. I write the date on the bottom and keep it in my oriental collection cupboard.
Audrey loved learning to shop! She was careful to choose exactly what she wanted and liked using her own wallet to pay for her items.
I left my heart in China Town. After a day of shopping and a wonderful lunch at our favorite Chinese restaraunt and more shopping we freshened up at our hotel and headed out again. We found our spot along the parade route and waited for the main event.
Audrey was so excited to see the parade!
I went down a couple of blocks to retrieve us snacks for the parade from my favorite french bakery, La Boulange. Macaroons, cookies and hot chocolates were in order.
Audrey was wide eyed as you can see from this picture!
Here comes the parade! This year was the year of the dragon and dragons were every where!
Towards the end of the parade there was a hold up waiting for the finale, the golden dragon. We walked down to Union Square where the dragon was just beginning to make his way towards us. The biggest and best lions are the ones pictured here. They precede the golden dragon.
Fire crackers were cracking. Chinese drums were drumming. Dragons and lions were dancing. Here comes the big one...
...the golden dragon! This dragon is the finale to the parade every year. We have watched him on television in years past. We were so excited to see him in person. He is over 200 feet long and it takes over 100 people to carry him. He is amazing. We were standing at an intersection in union square and the dragon went right next to us, we were able to touch him for good luck. Audrey was enchanted...
...here is Audrey illuminated from the dragon. Reaching up and touching him for good luck.
She was lost in the moment! You can see the honored dragon carriers on the left side of the picture. We were so lucky they were on our side of the intersection and we were able to be so close to the dragon!
After the parade we ate dinner and headed back to the hotel. We were excited to find the golden dragon being put away in a building next to our hotel! He was so magnificent and huge!
Audrey loved seeing him up close! We had a truly wonderful girls weekend! Hooray for girls! Hooray for fun! Hooray for Chinese new year!
Oh my goodness! What a FUN weekend! Loved all the sweet pictures of Audrey- you could just tell from the pictures how much she LOVED it! So glad you were able to enjoy some time out of the house! :)
Posted by: Amy G | February 28, 2012 at 11:20 AM
A perfect memory for that little Audrey. I am sure she was tickled to have a girls weekend and be a part of all those fun things. I think you also needed a weekend like that! Fun, fun!
Posted by: laurie magpie ethel | February 28, 2012 at 01:56 PM
Kim such a fabulous blog entry and I just love your pictures of sweet Audrey! Thanks for sharing your trip. xoxox
Posted by: stacey | March 02, 2012 at 10:01 PM
looks like the most perfect day, ever. audrey appears to have had the time of her life. well done, you.
xo
molly
Posted by: birdie blue | March 21, 2012 at 03:15 PM