Busy Kids!

Just like most kids in America, our kids are busy with school events, activities, and friends. Grace and Levi each returned from a week away with their class to a historical site of China. Levi was in Xi'an, home of the terracotta warriors and one of the oldest cities in China, and Grace was in Yangshou and Guilin, two southern cities along the beautiful Li River. They got to see and experience the culture, the food, and life with teachers in charge 24-7! Jim and I got to see what life is like with 2 kids at home (earlier bedtimes and much less internet usage!).

All of the kids have been traveling for sports. They have all been to Shanghai for soccer, volleyball, or rugby. Grace also got to travel to Tianjin for a volleyball tournament. Poor Jim and I just sit at home while they are off seeing the country. Unfortunately, I have no photos to share with you...(Grace may have some on her Facebook, however.)

All in all, the kids are doing well. I had a mom pull me aside the other day and say, "I think each of your children has added something special to the Nanjing community." I consider that a compliment and a blessing!

I do have some photos to share of other activities:

Jesse had to build a Roman artifact for school. He wanted to make an aquaduct and he did it with Legos! Jim helped him show how the water actually flowed into the aquaduct.

Jesse was awarded the "Director's Commendation" for his class. He was voted by his class as the child that best displayed the desired qualities of an Nanjing International School student: caring, thinking, risk-taking, principled, knowledgeable, and balanced.

Here is Jesse with the NIS Director, Gez Hayden. Yay, Jesse!

Halloween! Rachel and Jesse were rock stars for the NIS Halloween party. Jim and I went as tolerating parents...we stood outside with another American mom because the music was sooooooo loud inside. Yes, we are getting old!

Rachel and Gillian, her 5th grade friend. Rachel has met two nice girls, Gillian and Abby. Both girls' fathers work for the same company and both girls are moving to Germany in December! Rachel is sad to see them go...seems to be the way things are in this sojourner life. Good-byes are a big part of life.

The triplets! O.K., just twins and Jesse. Sasha and Kostya live in our compound and are Jesse's age. Here they are in our tiny front yard, which is now filled with our trampoline!

Rachel and Jesse's classes had a performance for the parents one evening. It was quite the production with flashing lights, powerpoint displays, loud music (!), dancing, and skits. Rachel had a part in a skit that she helped write.

Levi at soccer practice. He is in his last week of soccer this week, just as the weather is turning colder (currently the weather is sunny and crisp!). He goes to Shanghai on Friday for the final tournament of the season.

Levi's birthday party! He requested "MEAT!" We went to a newer restaurant called "Burger Corner" and Levi and his friend Dan ordered the biggest burgers on the menu. His friend, Shane, showed some restraint and ordered the regular size.

14 candles for my little boy! How did that happen? Wasn't that just yesterday when he came screaming into the world at Mugumu DDH, forever making his mark as the first white baby to be born there by the Tanzanian midwife?! He's come a long way, baby...literally a looooooong way.

Sweet Sixteen! Yes, Grace does exist! She's as busy as anyone, but I'm not usually there to take photos. Her friends threw her a surprise party the weekend after her birthday.