Rylan tries Octopus!!

When living in China, you have many opportunities of trying new food. We aren't adventurous yet to try dog, beetles, scorpions, etc. But the other day, we were able to convince Rylan to try octopus! She loved it and was excited to tell her friends at school. Although some of them probably think it is no big deal. I took some pictures of her eating it with my phone! Enjoy and maybe when you come to visit you can try it too!!

Belated Mardi Gras Ball

Since Chris and I our over here with an oil company, we have quite a bit of southern people who are from Louisiana. There were some ladies that wanted to throw a Mardi Ball. Although it was a month after the actual holiday, we still had fun!! We couldn't have it on the actual day because it fell during Chinese New Year. The ball was at a beautiful old chinese club. They had some cajun/western food, entertainment, and even crowned a king and queen of the event!! We even had a second line as well as caught some beads. It was fun!! Chris and I danced until my feet hurt. We even had bread puddiing. Although I am 5 and half months pregnant we had a good time!!

Avery's Birthday Party

Avery turned 7 over Chinese New Year and we were in Thailand. It was also quite cold in Chengdu so we decided to postpone the party til March. One of Avery's classmates who also had a birthday during the winter month asked us if we wanted to do it together. I of course said yes! We invited the whole class as well as the kids who lived in Waterfront and we had 35 kids there!! It was crazy, but fun. We did it outside because it has gotten so warm. The kids ate hot dogs, went on a scavenger hunt, had kello kitty cake, and went fishing for candy (a Swedish tradition). Tuva (who is from Sweden) and Avery had a great time!!! I was exhausted but was glad the kids had fun!!!

International Day at the Girls School

The International week at the girls school is by far one of their favorite things. They had such a fun week with parent guests coming in and teaching them things about their native country. The kids got to learn songs, crafts, make food, and learn about other holidays all around the world. They came home so excited about what a new parent I taught them. I went to school to talk about Easter and go on an Egg hunt. It was all new to them, except for the Americans in the class. All the kids had a blast and enjoyed their time. Friday was the last day of the event and the parents were there all day representing their country with an activity. The kids went to 20 different countries and got their passport stamped when they went around the world. This year the USA did a sports theme, baseball, hula hoops, and freezbies. I got to go around to all the places and it was great!! The parents did a great job representing their country. After the tour around the world, the kids did a parade of nations with their country colors on and flags. We then all got to eat food from around the food and it was so good!!! I tummy was so full when I left the school. After lunch, Avery's class had put together a brochure and poster about why people should come visit their country. Avery would yell out "Come to USA" as well as the other kids with their country name. Avery even told me that this week was one of the best weeks of her life!!! It is an experience you will get no where else!! Here are some pictures

Our Little Man Cohen

Cohen is now 18 months and as I have have said before is totally boy and likes to ware his parents out. Chris has called him our little gremlin!! We would not change him for the world but we have had a hard time adjusting to the differences of boys and girls. I would like to share some "incidences" that he has taken part in this past week. One day, I was downstairs with Cohen working at the dining room table. The girls called me upstairs for a minute because they had friends. Before I could talk to them one of the girls yelled to me to come downstairs right away. Cohen was on top of the dining room table playing with the crystal chandler. The next one was I was on the phone talking to GrandB when I heard Chris yell at me from the kitchen. Cohen had turned our filtered water sprout on and flooded the whole kitchen. He keeps us busy and we love him so much!! We just need to watch him!! It will be interesting when the new baby comes!! I could not get the pictures of him in action with either one of those "incidences" but got a picture of him wearing daddy's (Baba in chinese)shoes and one with his LSU gear on. The hat is daddy's but we thought it was cute!!