They come in strawberry??!!

Coop and I were at E-Mart (a grocery store) the other day and we couldn't resist buying these strawberry Cheetos! I am so thankful for pictures on packaging, because I would truly have no idea what I was buying!! The kids ate them on Saturday - they really liked them, but I thought they tasted like sugary cereal with a hint of Cheetos...

Be Fit in May!!

Last Thursday the kids participated in a Be Fit in May day at school. The classes (PK - grade 2) went to six different stations which were comprised of activities they do in gym class! They ran a 100 meter dash (which I need to brag that Ellie actually won in her group - of course, I missed the race, but I'm still proud!!), played bean bag toss, did the long jump, ran 400 meters (which is pretty far for my little Eens!!), carried an egg on a spoon, and then did a relay race with balls!! The kids had a ton of fun, so much so that after we had a picnic lunch and I left, I got a text from Eensie's teacher that he was asleep!! I'm pretty sure the heat and running 400 meters wiped him out! Eens and Oscar are contemplating how they can carry the egg without dropping it!!

I think Eens enjoyed this activity, it was nice and slow!!

My tall daughter on her way down with the egg!

He may have come in last, but he finished the 400 meter run!! Later, we talked about it and we decided that coming in last wasn't so bad because you got to run for a longer period of time!! Not so sure I agree with this, but it made him feel better!!

Ellie and Kate taking a break!

And she's off!! El preparing for the whistle at the start of the 400!

I was always terrible at the long jump, but it looks like it could be El's thing!!

Eens and Markus hanging out in between activities!!

Coopie was with his class when I first arrived. Of course, this lasted for a total of 2 minutes when he decided that he would rather follow mommy!! I didn't mind though! He is now into telling me every other minute how much he loves me and if we are apart for a little bit, he tells me he misses me so much!! Sweet little guy!!

Congratulations Steph and Jeff!!!

We are so excited that our little Steph (my youngest sister!) will be getting married next summer!! We can't wait for the big day!!

Guitars and Gangsters!

We had a fun filled weekend spent eating a delicious Brazilian meal and mingling at the annual PFO fundraiser!!

Looking back over the past 9 months (can you believe we have been here that long??) it is amazing how quickly we have become part of the international community. We love learning about all of the different places that our friends come from, their families and most of all, we are truly enjoying making memories and being a part of their lives!

Danny enjoyed showing John how to play Guitar Hero...

The PFO Ball was themed the Roaring 20's! A few of us in our compound had our dresses made for the big event!! It was so much fun getting dressed up!! We had a great time and there may have been a little dancing on a speaker, but no worm!!

Good times and good friends, who knew when we were in China for our look and see exactly a year ago that we would find such an open and inviting community!!

Where's the Road??

I just had to take these pictures last week as Coop and I were leaving school. They have been working and developing the area by the school all year. They have blocked one of our entrances to the school, and now, this is what the road looks like to go into the entrance that is opened. There are no barricades in sight, despite the fact that there are about 20 foot deep holes all over. I'm always worried we are going to tip in...ahhhhh!!

Newest American Idol, or should I say, Chinese Idol?!

Ellie, my shy little daughter, shocked both Danny and I when she announced that she would be entering the Chinese singing competition at school!! She practiced her two songs that she had to sing, day and night, so much so that Eens and Coop now can sing them!! She was very proud of herself for getting up in front of her peers and singing in a language that 7 months ago she knew nothing about!!

On Friday I went to the morning assembly because they were distributing awards. She came home with a bronze medal!! Now, there were several other students who got bronze with her, but we were all quite proud of her! Yeah Ellie!!

McLazy!!

We have discovered one of the greatest things about China...McDonald's delivers!! Yes, we cannot be bothered to physically go there to eat, so we were so excited when our neighbor brought over the delivery menu and told us to press 2 for English!! You have got to be kidding...just to make sure it really worked, we orderd Friday night for dinner and Saturday morning for breakfast!! It worked like a charm and we had hot food on the table in about 15 minutes!!

This gentleman road his bike with this contraption on his back. It is pretty cool, it keeps the drinks upright and cold on the top and then the bottom keeps the food warm!! We appreciate anything that makes our lives easier!!