Zhang-Jiang Family

Here is a family that defies norms and is blazing their own path through life.

Zhang Qin, his wife Jiang Bo, with their children Niu Niu (5) and Mingzhu (3).

He's an acupuncturist; she's a university teacher. They live in a modest home with a second-hand piano, repurposed old furniture, tons of library books, wild herbs and greens that they find growing in parks, a homemade turtle/fish tank, a fleet of bicycles and a golden retriever-ish doggie. Actually the dog was unfortunately recently stolen or lost. Anyway.

Hanging out with these guys is and honest-to-goodness good time.

They are different than the typical urban Chinese family.

Z&J want their children to skip preschool altogether and start first grade later; they arrange their work schedules and keep a tight budget so they can raise their children at home. They want to be present to enjoy the blessing of family and shape their children's foundation for life.

Since their boy, Niu Niu, is not in school and Titus only attends partial-days, these guys enjoy having more time to freely play together.

Z&J believe in letting their children get a little dirty, cold, and bunged up in the name of exploration, creation, freedom, fresh air and imagination. It's a simple and happy childhood in nature.

So we jive with Z&J because our philosophies align. It makes getting together with their family so fun and relaxing, because we think and play alike.

p.s. Z&J took us to this new park on the outskirts of Changsha, isn't it gorgeous?

counting the graces

thank you Father

Drew's man camping time with B&N

another special breakfast and chillaxed connection time with Ks

first visit to Vaky's home and it was so good to meet her family and understand them more

Ye-Ye, another year of life

clean wood floors underfoot

two days with FZ staying at our home, watching him grow and take it all in

piano