- 05
- Aug
So, here’s a quick little guide to the 5 Fuwa. They were also called the “Friendlies” in English, but that name was nixed awhile ago, so they are truly just the Fuwa now.
Each little Fuwa has a name, and my girls will gladly correct me each time I call a Fuwa by the wrong name! They know all the details on this stuff because they watch the Fuwa movies far too often!
Anyway, there is a super cute hidden theme in the Fuwa names. If you put together the first syllable of each name, it creates “Bei jing huan ying ni” which means “Beijing welcomes you!” It’s a cute play on words… the characters are not the same, but the sounds are the same.
They have lots of details worked into them- the girls would be better qualified to explain all of this, but my understanding is that BeiBei and NiNi are the only girls of the 5. BeiBei represents water (they each represent one of the elements of nature). She is the aquatic sports theme character. And her head has traditional elements of the Chinese New Year.
There is a ton of meaning wrapped up in these little guys! For more reading on them, check this >link<.
Last night’s slumber party was a giggly success. Photos of the wee ones:
And 2 sillier ones- they were so giggly!
Can’t believe how soon the Olympics will be here!! 
August 5th, 2008 at 6:55 am
What a fun party! I can hear the giggles now. You are getting ready for the Olympics and I am getting ready for school.
August 5th, 2008 at 10:06 am
Oh what adorable pictures!!!
August 5th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Oh goodness, those pictures are adorable! Glad it was such a “giggly” success - LOL!
August 5th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
they iz so cute!!! the girls i mean.
oh, and you just hafta blog about the “fog” — our news reported clear skies one day and now the headlines say “it’s” back. only know the truth from you chica. hee hee hee.
August 5th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Thanks for the Fuwa lesson. Now I can share them with my 6 y.o. niece! Saw this on the Travel Channel and had to share it with you. Maybe you could take the girls one year? Harbin Winter Festival: Harbin Ice and Snow World. Go here to see amazing pics: http://www.rtoddking.com/chinawin2007_hb_if.htm
August 5th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
I read the link about the Fuwa. I love that! That’s sweet.
August 5th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
awww - how fun is that?!?! They look like a giggly gaggle of girls! I would have gone insane, lol!
August 5th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
Great pics as always, Kimberly. It’s so amazing to me that you two have taken on the challenge of life in a foreign country and just owned it completely. I’m impressed with your strength and unending supply of good humor through the challenges! On a side note, I have a friend who may be taking a four month job outside Bejing (I’m sorry I don’t know exactly which city) - would you mind if I shared your blog with he and his gf? I think your words would be a great, down to earth view of what they may expect from life in your world! xoxo
August 7th, 2008 at 1:55 am
Thanks for all of the great Olympics info!!!
My kids enjoyed looking at the mascot information, so I linked to your site on my blog as well.
http://sassymarie.blogspot.com/2008/08/olympics.html
Enjoy watching the Olympics!!!
August 15th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Hope you don’t mind that I am using your link in my own Fuwa post for Saturday (FL time).
The girls are too cute and look like they had a blast! Did you hold any Olympic themed parties this week?