Benjamin has a new ball to play with Doggy Bones. It is the perfect size and the dog loves it. He's getting pretty good at playing fetch. Now, if we can just teach him not to jump up on the kitchen table!! He has a super smeller and knows if there is bread around and he will go crazy trying to get it. Recently, we have had to keep him locked up while we eat...never new such a little dog could jump so high :)
We had some friends from Canada that happened to be in our neck of the woods for a couple days this week. We met up and went to a few places around town. A market is always a good place to go to see some culture and we always find something new. I asked this man what he was selling because most everythin in this section was to eat and I didn't think you would eat the tree. He said it was good for aches and pains and for your eyes. Then, he gave us a little demonstration. He took a big puff of his cigarrette an blew on one end of the tree and the smoke came out the other end. It was pretty neat. I still don't know how that would help my aches and pains, but I enjoyed the presentation.
Another man let us try all of his fruit an I just had to buy some of this one for the kids and some of our friends. It is called bolomi. The taste reminds me of a banana mixed with some other fruit...an orange maybe. I don't know. If you come visit, I will buy some for you to try. :)
This man is selling roots.
Since I watched Regan's class lead assembly, I went back this week to watch Benjamin's class lead it. Benjamin had one of the main parts...not a speaking part, but he had to take a raw egg on a sppon all the way across the room to show his friends gentleness. They also talked about having gentle words, play, etc. It was cute.
Sorry, you will have to look at this picture with you head turned. I have no idea why my computer will not cooperate, but it insists on turning the image like this. Anyways. We met some new friends this week and they took us out to eat for "morning tea" Don't let the name fool you. We did not eat lunch after having so much food for breakfast. This was just the start of all the things that came. 
Every week, we go to the high school and play with the kids. This week I realized something about myself...I am old! I remember (when I was in my 20's) friends (in their 30's) saying that they were "old" and "you just wait, you can't do all the things like you could when you were 20" I always laughed and said, "yeah right, you're not old" Ok. After teaching the students how to play kickball, throwing baseballs, playing volleyball, playing 4 square, and chasing after Lauren, I was so sore. So, now I am consenting....my friends were right. I really had a lot of fun though! Let me just say that trying to teach kick ball to people who have no consept of the rules of baseball is no easy task :) 
Some friends from back home sent Benjamin and Lauren a bday package. Benjamin was just beside himself with excitement. They loved their presents! Thanks guys!
This has been Lauren's favorite present. A wooden puzzle that makes the animal sounds. We lost the little kitten piece for a day or two (under the couch) and it was a little scarey....every time we would turn the lights out at night, the puzzle would start meowing :) Too funny.We also ate dinner with our neighbors...homemade jaozi. They have been so helpful to us in helping us with the language when we need it and introducing us to new people.
We have been blessed by so many friends! We are so thankful for our friends in the States, our friends here, old friends, and new friends!
