Everything has been leading up to CNY. For us, that means super busy schedules, extra practices, school work, exams and testing for classes, performances, celebrations, and most important... buying seaweed and crackers ;) They've been waiting all year for these big packages to come out.
Lauren's class had a "parent class" where they got to show us everything that they have been learning this year. It was fun. They have to be able to do a lot of moves and dances to be able to progress to the next level of ballet.
I took videos of each thing, so these are a few screenshots from the video.
Katherine...still not too tall to ride on her sister's back. :)
It's been awhile since I took a picture of Rocky, so I'm adding him this time.
Jonathan had extra work as well, which meant more time on the road. Benjamin and Lauren said that they would make dinner...and had fun making it together.
They each made two pizzas and then worked together on the last one. They didn't tell us which was which and wanted us to vote for our favorite. They said it was like our own version of Master Chef Jr.
Hudson got some flying helicopters for his birthday and just now decided that he wanted to play with them (he's been learning to play much better recently...we don't have to encourage him as much to do things)
They had a great time together.
I'm glad they had lights so that we could find them when they landed :)
Benjamin has discovered that paint by numbers are very relaxing for him. He's working on this one, which is looking so good, and has two more that he got for Christmas.
Regan went for a walk with me. It's a good chance to talk without distractions. We enjoyed talking about dream vacations and just life in general. It's about a 3 mile walk, just about perfect for an afternoon break.
Like I said, Hudson has been playing a lot more recently. He has about 6 boys in the complex and one girl that he plays with nearly every day. I've even had some Grandma's stop me in stores and tell me what a polite boy Hudson is and how he always is kind to the little ones outside. This little guy saw that Hudson was outside and came and pulled him away to play. Hudson had the biggest grin.
The puppies got their yearly shots. Katherine couldn't stop laughing because they were so scared. They knew what was coming.
Hudson had a BIG piano recital to celebrate the new year. You had to have a ticket just to get in to see it! Thankfully, someone gave us some extras and we were all able to watch the show.
Hudson's teacher sent me this one. All of the kids were given a snack while they waited. He had to be there at 4:00 and it didn't start until 6:00.
The camera man ALMOST blocked our view, but we could still see Hudson. It was Hudson and 3 others playing at the same time. I wish I had recorded their rehearsal...it was PERFECT. During the actual recital, on elf the kids got a little nervous and sped up. It was still great though. I could just tell afterwards that Hudson was a little disappointed.
GREAT JOB, HUDSON!!!
Hudson was fourth to perform in the 3.5 hour performance! This picture says it all. They sat patiently through the rest of them, but bored to death :)
After the show :)
I love this one :)
Katherine had her first baby tomato ripen! She picked it, washed it, and ate it right away! :)
It's time for Lauren's dance test.
Not a bit worried, but laughing at me for taking so many pictures.
Katherine and I were walking down the street and she said, "It looks like a green bean tree!"
I have to agree with her. Although I have no idea what it really is.
Katherine's last picture for art class before the break. They had to draw something celebrating the new year. I thought it was so cute.
They got a group picture after Lauren's class. Apparently several kids will not continue to the higher levels either do to lack of interest or too much schoolwork.
This is Regan's favorite little girl in class.
I just wanted to show the bike barking near the border. We went on a slow day and there were still this many bikes. I really don't want to go on a busy day.
Macau
Katherine's art teacher painted these and a bookstore in the area published them as postcards. I hope they still have them when I go check. It's kind fun to know who did them :)
Regan and some little girls
Katherine reading the new Keeper of the Lost Cities book while we wait for Lauren to be finished with her class.
After class, Katherine stood up and they couldn't believe how tall she had gotten. These two are 1 year apart. HAHA!
