HAPPY BIRTHDAY OLIVIA!!!

It's hard to believe, but today our Olivia turns 17!!!

Happy Birthday!!

We love you OJ!

The Karate Kid

As promised, here's a picture of our proud papaya in her brand new karate gi ... cute as a button. A little, tiny button. It's a size "00" and I still had to shorten the pants about four inches!


Not to be outdone, here is the always fabulous Ran Zhu modelling the latest in princess attire!

Just Hangin' Around

Not a lot to report here these days. The girls are settling into their school routines. Swimming lessons started again last night. Maia is now in Swim Kids 5 and has made the jump to 60 minute long lessons. I actually found it quite stressful watching my tiny little peanut flailing around in the huge deep end of the pool (not flailing in the sense that she can't swim, but her technique still needs a lot of refinement!) Miss Ran has now graduated to the level of "Duck" and no longer needs mommy to accompany her in the pool. She was quite at home on the "tot dock" and seemed just as comfortable with the drills as her "Salamander" classmates (she's in a split class).

Maia has also started Karate lessons. This is her new activity this year and so far she loves it. Classes are two nights a week, so it keeps us running. Hopefully she will get her "gi" tonight since she's been very anxious to have a proper uniform. I will post a picture once she has it (I'm anticipating she'll look pretty cute).

Other than that, as I said, not a lot going on here. Just enjoying this beautiful fall weather ... my favorite time of year!

Mid-Autumn Moon Festival

Yesterday we celebrated the mid-autumm moon festival. We got in the mood earlier on Saturday when the girls and I made mooncakes. Yum!

Then yesterday we had a delicious Chinese feast. We finished it off with tea and mooncakes.

Back To School!

Today was a big day at our house ... the first day of grade one for Maia and the first day of nursery school for Ran.

Ready to go!

Maia had Ran up and both of them dressed and ready to go by 8:00. Unfortunately the bus doesn't come until 8:40!

Back to school happy dance (Mommy was doing one too!)

We were a little concerned about Ran's reaction to school. She was excited to go, but she also has had difficulties being separated from Mommy. But, much to my surprise she was more than happy to stay and didn't have a problem with me leaving. When I came to pick her up at noon Ran didn't want to leave! It seems she has missed being around lots of other kids. This is such a relief. We've been thinking nursery school would be good for her. Early indications are that it will be!