8 February 2015-
As I was browsing the photos on my computer earlier today I realize there were a number for small events I haven't shared with you yet. Some of the events were Big Deals like (Mark's birthday (Dang it! no photos were taken; whoops!) and Annika getting her expander after a few visits to an orthodontist. Others were Small Deals like a sleepover with a friend and saying farewell to another friend. Oh, and a smattering of Christmas 2014 decorations just for grins and giggles (to help remind me what I did for next Christmas).
Walking back from the ATM I nearly tripped over this rubble/trash pile as I was heading home. What gives? It'd sure be lovely if trash like this didn't have to pile up in an otherwise lovely place. (I think it's building materials)
Mark turned 42 years old (the magic, Answer to the Universe, number…Have you read the "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy"??? NO? You have to read it!). He requested a dinner at a very nice German restaurant called 1308 in Tianjin with friends….which we did. I also baked him a beautiful cheesecake (with the help of a couple of lovely friends who helped with the cream cheese acquisition. Real cream cheese is difficult to find here and, of course, it became scarce the day I NEEDED it!). And…guess what??? NO photos! Seriously! How is that possible??? Well, I know why and it's okay. I know Mark had a wonderful time and that's what matters most.
The girls made some artwork for Mark…here's Annika's birthday card to Mark:
Any guesses what the police box represents???
It's the Tardis from the television show, "Doctor Who"! One of our all-time favorite television series!
And this is the Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver (it can fix almost anything):
Here's Ava's painting for Mark:
(I think it's supposed to be mountains with trees).
The girls had a sleepover with their friend, Anna. Check out the fortress/bed they built:
Doing a little late-night craft projects with a low-temperature hot glue gun:
I think they're trying to build a house out of toothpicks:
Annika is using her new Dremel tool to create a chess piece from one of the wood pieces from the not-played-with Jenga game we own:
Hi Ava! I see you there!
And here's Anna and Ava …..camping???
Oooooooooooooo…..
Check out this gorgeous beauty that now graces my kitchen! It's a *cobalt blue* Kitchenaid mixer. It's the real deal and I can plug it straight into the wall here (without needing a power converter). I *love* this mixer! Mark really, truly surprised me with this…I had absolutely NO IDEA that he got it for me. What a super sweet surprise!!! Thank you!!!!!!!!
Christmas decorations. I tried using recycled materials or materials I already owned to create the trees, snowmen and snowflakes:
Perhaps you can tell …but this felt tree is comprised of the girls' handprints. I traced both girls hands out on paper, cut them out, and traced them on to various colors of green felt (which I already had). I cut them out and glued them on to a big cardboard tree. The red balls and yellow star are not glue on (gotta love felt! So much fun and so easy to work with!):
The "gifts" lining the stairs (they're just decoration) and my sack advent calendar:
Ava's advent calendar with trees down below:
I cut out lots of Santa hats and decorated the girls' art with them:
Ava's class went on a field trip on what may have been the coldest day ever. Trouble is, it was a field trip that took them out on to a popular walking street in Tianjin to ask the locals their thoughts on how they think their city is set up. (this was for the Cities UOI). Can you guess how many pedestrians we saw meandering about on this freaking cold day? Well, it was more than none but pretty darn close.
(riding the bus to the walking street…XiaoBaiLou):
As the kids and teachers and TA got cold so quickly the kids were able to break off into the small groups and ask only a small handful of people their questions before aborting their mission and heading back to the school.
Instead of returning by bus we took the subway to see an alternative method of transportation that exists in some cities. I actually like riding on the Tianjin subway (ditie)…it's clean, fast, and efficient:
Hi, Ava!
Right before the winter holiday break we had to say good bye to some lovely friends. Clara and her family are moving to India! Yes, India! We will miss you!!!!
The day before our trip to Europe Annika got fitted up with her new expander. There is hope that this expander will help space Annika's teeth properly and *maybe* she won't need braces.
The expander is bright kelly green which is difficult to tell from this photo:
Sweet smile!!!
I think that's it for December! Okay, mostly it…I just remembered a few other posts I need to write. 😉