Hailing from Tokyo, the Ogata family
have been living in Beijing’s Dongcheng District for
three-and-a-half years. Dad Kazuyoshi is the IT general manager for
7-Eleven, and Noriko is a stay-at-home-mom to Shiori (4) and Jing
Jing (22 months). This is the family’s first overseas posting.
Tania McCartney
Adopted Family Member
We adore our ayi and think she’s
one of the best things about living in Beijing. Ayi is like a nainai
to our children and loves them just as much. She makes life in
Beijing so much easier: interpreting, shopping, giving traditional
Chinese medicine and health advice, returning broken or substandard
items… she’s priceless.
Birthday Celebration
Our relatives from Japan send gifts for
both girls when one celebrates a birthday. We lay the gifts out like
on Christmas Day and the kids go crazy over them when they wake up in
the morning. We like to make a special birthday cake, too.
Good Report Card Award
If Shiori does well at school, we take
her to Chaterhouse Bookstore at The Place, where she can buy as many
books as she wants to. She loves books.
Indoor Play Space
A-Z Kids. We love this place. There’s
plenty of space to sit and eat, and both kids love the play gym.
Shiori is addicted to the fabulous fake supermarket where she can
shop and go through check out, just like mom does.
Kids’ Clothing
Shin Kong Place has such beautiful
kids’ clothing stores, like Osh Kosh B’Gosh and Benetton. We
don’t buy kids’ clothes at markets any more.
Beijing Snack Food
Shuiguo xingren doufu, or sweet apricot
kernel tofu with fruit and syrup. It’s a mouthful to say, but it’s
absolutely delicious and we always order it at restaurants for
dessert. We also buy it in packs at 7-Eleven.
Best Restaurant to take the Kids
We love Din Tai Fung because of its
excellent dumplings, and it also has a fun playroom for the girls.
Would you like to share your Beijing
Favorites? E-mail editor@tbjkids.com
