Wild animals, and children

Today was a beautiful day and we spent it with our friend Tami and her daughter Lauren-Jeff had to work. First we went to the Rain tree Cafe to eat. They also got balloon animals made..Sara a rabbit, Ruth a tiger, and Lauren a monkey. Then to the park for bike/scooter riding. Ruth is doing very well on her new scooter...not ready for the bike yet.

Today Lauren and Ruth taught Sara how to hula hoop---very funny to watch. Sara has also lovingly taught Ruth to play the flute from school. For each song the learn, they get another colored bead, so once Ruth learned all three beady, we tied a string with beads onto her flute. They were both very proud, and I was very proud of both of them.

CNY and Daddy/Daughter Dance

Today was the first time we each had to take one girl and go our separate ways. This morning Ruth had soccer practice...I watched from the car most of the time because it was cold and VERY windy. Shortly after I left with Ruth, Jeff took Sara to the Asian Market, then downtown for the Chinese New Year (CNY) celebration at a museum was holding. They had a great time with crafts, snacks, watching martial arts exhibit, listening to music, and actually being in the parade, complete with dragons! While they were still there, Ruth had a birthday party and another town and she was delivered to the home for a carpool-thank you- and will be returned. They rode hosed, did a cookout, and had a great time.

Then both girls and Jeff were home....Jeff grilled some dinner quickly because we had 30 minutes to eat and Jeff and the girls attend the local Daddy/Daughter Sweetheart dance. As you can see, the girls have a very sophisticated sense of fashion, and Jeff looks great too! They did a lot of dancing and Sara won a door prise.

sleeping, or not!

While saying our nightly prayers in Sara's room, Ruth noticed how warn her bed was, thanks to an electric blanket, and decided that she would share the bed with her. This lasted a few days and they were both thrilled...like a slumber party!

Nothing like waking up in the morning and mom being there with a camera! Do not even TRY to do this to me and assume you will live...because I am not so beautiful the first few minutes each day.

"I know how to make a baby mommy!"

Jeff and I and the girls were spending time together Friday night and Sara announced that she knew how to make babies-she is 10. Well, maybe she does. She giggled and ran upstairs as I wondered if I needed to have a talk with her. A little later I went upstairs and she had made a baby, out of her clothes--life size. Apparently this is how they made their play dolls at the orphanage. Sara's baby spent the night with the girls, on the floor on a pillow with a blanket. The next day Ruth jumped right into it and made a baby too. They are so creative and I have to learned to listen to ALL that Sara has to say before I have to jump to a conclusion...she almost got an education that she may not be ready for. I did explain to the girls that it is best NOT to tell their teachers or friends that they know how to make a baby, but how to make a doll. I do not want calls from school for from other parents!

Valentine's Day & Chests

Happy Valentine's day. I woke to two dozen flowers, some red roses and some mixed, both beautiful. When I opened the frig, there was a bag with a necklace and pendant. Today we had parties at school.

We also received and opened the wooden chests ordered while in Guangzhou. One set was damaged and we are awaiting a visit from an adjuster. This one is a set of seven, you are seeing the three largest....and the girls are already fighting ove them.

Culture Parade-school

Our school is studying different cultures this month. On Monday Sara got to talk on the school intercom saying Hi, how are you in Chinese. On Tuesday Ruth did the same phrase in Marshallese-Yokwe.

Today was the culture parade. Children researched their heritage and made a parade through the school representing their culture. It was all lead by a Chinese dragon for Chinese New Year-18th.
Note Ruth's dress is home made and she is holding the Marshalese Flag and a basket from he country. Sara is wearing an outfit we bought her in Guangzhou and is holding an unbrella she chose there also. Today was a very cold day and they quickly changed to warmer clothes after the parade, plus the fact that Ruth does NOT like wearing dresses and I would NOT let Sara wear white Satin any longer than necessary..the child is a mess.

Science Fair

Today after soccer practice, we went back to school to see the presentation of the 4th grade science fair. Sara (mom) got 6th place for her classroom. Her first question was, why no 1st place-this girl is competitive! The projects were judged by the University of TX professor and three of his students. On the side, Sara's teacher said that Sara (mom) actually got first but the teacher explained that Sara got a lot of help, so they switched her to sixth out of 22---not too shabby.