soccer saturday

Saturday, May 29, I woke up early to begin recovery-- Bethany had hosted a sleepover Friday night. We packed up the tent that had been set up in the entry way, rolled up sleeping bags, and tossed out soggy bowls of Chocolate Magic Stars. Olivia and Mary had to be at ISB by 8:30 for their soccer tournament. The medal was Mary's favorite part.

A bit of Beijing haze.

Saturday evening the embassy hosted Ozomatli in concert at Chaoyang park, so Rob was working. I took the kids back to ISB for the Beijing International branch closing social. Here are Sam and Brenda the shaved ice machine, a yearly tradition. Brenda was our neighbor in the old house, our good friend, and Sam's sixth grade humanities teacher.

There is my favorite broccoli and bacon salad.

Grant was in heaven. He loved all that the ISB playground has to offer and was especially happy to play with Diego.

He loves to "say hello to the fish."

And he couldn't resist the wading stream.

Sunday was William's first day of nursery.

Bethany has been waiting all spring for these Irises to bloom

before the haunting

Saturday, October 31 was a busy day for us, even before the pumpkins were lit. We started out early, on the bright and cold morning. Bethany and Olivia went to their first soccer tournament. (Mary didn't feel like going.) Both girls played hard and it was fun to watch them play together. Sam came along and enjoyed being the family photographer.

The tournament ended around ten thirty. We drove home, where Rob had been tidying up the much in need of tidying house. We all dove in to party preparation. Mary's birthday party at the Ice Zone at River Garden was starting at twelve thirty. We rolled little hot dogs into dough and chopped veggies and fruit, and gathered chips and drinks and cupcakes and kids and left rather frantically, hoping to get to the rink before the guests. Mary had a great time with her brothers and sisters and friends. Here are a couple of pictures from the party.

honest kyle

Wednesday, October 21, I went to ISB to see Kyle's Chinese presentation. He was dressed as his favorite famous person, Abraham Lincoln, and giving a one minute introduction. The other classmates were presenting at the same time. You can hear them in the background. When Kyle was finished I went around to listen to the other presentations. (I've been trying to upload the video but it's been too slow...hopefully it will be coming soon!)

The ISB girls have started soccer this year. Their coaches are Austrailian. It is so convenient. They play after school and then take the after-school-activity bus home. After the Chinese presentation I watched the girls play.