If someone had told me five months ago that I would be racing dragon boats in China, I would have said they were crazy! It’s hard to imagine that only a short time ago I didn’t have a clue about this incredible sport. Dragon boat racing started thousands of years ago in China. It’s a team paddling sport where a canoe-style boat is used. Now, not only can I hold my own paddling the boat, but I can proudly say that I was a member of the only American team to compete in the 2009 Dragon Boat races in China!
Dragon Boating Competitors
The interest in this exciting sport is catching – at least in our design department! Surprisingly, I wasn’t the only le•top designer racing in China. Gail – our extraordinary graphic designer – was the person who first introduced me to the sport. Thanks to her, I am not only part of the team, but I’ve become part of a fun and adventurous “family”.
We competed in races in a couple of different cities, one of which was Milu, the birthplace of dragon boating. It was amazing to be able to participate in the sport that originated there over 2000 years ago! The fun part is, as in any sport that each team has a name – we call ourselves the Absolute Dragons! We are a mixed crew, meaning that we are made up of women and men. In China there is no such thing as a “mixed” team, which meant we had to race against all men’s teams. Even though we didn’t place in the standings, we did manage to beat nine teams! Wow, were they mad when they got beat by a boat full of women!
Beautiful Sights
China was such an unbelievable experience. One thing I will always remember is how popular my platinum blonde hair was with the locals. I was chased down at every corner by people asking for my picture! I now know what it must feel like to be famous. Man, do I feel bad for Brad Pitt!
Whether it was holding up peace signs for pictures with the locals, racing in the dragon boat, hiking the Great Wall, or just celebrating the Chinese culture – China was the trip of a lifetime, one I will never forget!
…this post was written by Sarah, le•top designer
I was thinking about the top – the toy that is. I remember sitting on the floor, concentrating on pushing the handle up and down, watching the horses do a run around the obstacle course inside the plastic bubble. The faster the handle went, the faster the horse went, it was fascinating! My toys were simple and few in number. One white plastic poodle that reminded me of rice pudding – hence loved dearly. One scratchy bear stuffed with wood chips. One plastic creature with a blue body and a giant orange head. (I still don’t know what that was). One stuffed bunny with an orange shirt, often making cameo appearances in childhood photos. The shortage of toys during the Soviet years almost seemed like a plot to promote reading, and in some cases imagination and creativity in future engineers, doctors, rocket scientists, and even artists and designers. At six, I was making puppet goats out of paper, and nailing wooden boards together to make a boat. In the spring, I set sail with an empty match box in the mini “river” that ran in the space between the concrete road and the sidewalk. I’d follow it all the way around the neighborhood until it would reach its final destination and disappear in the drain. I didn’t have much, but whatever I had seemed to be enough.
You have heard us say over and over about how much we love our pups here at le•top. Well, I think we have taken it to a whole new level. Cengx (pronounced Chay-ng), one of our star team members in the le•top warehouse, brought in her new puppy awhile back with a very familiar, and yet, unfamiliar, outfit on him. We all did a double-take at what he was wearing because it was none other than our le•top “fireman” coverall from a previous season, which she had cleverly redesigned into a doggy romper (of sorts)! Did I mention that we are not only creative in our designs for babies and kids, but it turns out, in our adaptations for dogs as well?!? Although you can’t buy this one-of-a-kind doggy outfit anywhere, you sure can make an attempt at morphing your baby’s outgrown le•top outfits into pet clothes. If you do, make sure to send us a picture, so we can share it with everyone!
Since I was a child, my favorite color has been what I call, “
It is surely Jurassic Fantastic out here in the le•top world of Dinosaurs! Ross Gellar might not think our Dinos-in-need-of-braces are historically correct, but we sure think they’re cute! We can’t get enough of the Dino-on-the-behind two-piece and neither can our customers…they are chomping at the bit for this prehistoric era-inpsired outfit. Don’t forget to check out our great sleeveless romper, it’s Dino-rific!
Jurassic Fantastic comes in size 3 months to 4T and is sure to please everyone, even if we are laughing as little Wadey J. scoots away with his little behind swaying to and fro! Stomp by 
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