I didn't really come prepared for Halloween. Well...I was moving to China! They don't have Halloween in China! Unless you go to the International School. But...No worries, we downloaded pics off the internet and went to the Bu Bu Bu (fabric market) to get material, and then gave the pictures to the tailor. He did a great job! (and it cost about as much as our normal thrift-shop Halloween costumes!) Rachel was a fairy, Nicole- a Cowgirl, Caitlin a princess, Jay a Jedi Knight, and Eli...A bat. I found a black wig at the Confucius Temple(yes, there is more shopping than praying going on) and fooled a lot of people! Don't I look a bit Morticia-ish? Though tomorrow is Halloween, we've had our Halloween parties. No trick-or-treating, but some fun activities. And thanks to Amy and our Moms, the kids will still get some good old USA yummy Halloween candy! I am so excited to surprise them tomorrow night. You can't imagine how they will treasure the treats! Maybe I will make them do a trick for each one!
I did my PTA duty for the year, and helped with the school party Friday night. We also had a young women sleep-over at our house that night. I included a picture of it. I was a bit worried about pulling it all off, but we somehow made it. I was at the school all afternoon, and had been shopping all morning making sure we had all the food for the sleep-over. I had the driver taking kids back and forth from school, picking up Mike, then the young women group (4 girls and 3 leaders). After this he came and got me from school, brought me home, and we all quickly changed into our Halloween costumes. The driver took 2 shifts of people over to the party, and two shifts home. Crazy! But it all worked out! Boy was I glad for a housekeeper that day!!!!! If she hadn't been here, I may have needed therapy! Last night was the church group Halloween party. It was tons of fun! It was a chance to invite Chinese friends. There were close to 90 people there. They had a cake walk (with Chinese Muffin things), apple bobbing, and dancing. It was fun to watch the children interact and get the Chinese people to dance with them. I think everyone had a great time. We are pretty tired today!
This week Eli turns four. Tomorrow there are about five little kids and their mothers coming over for a Dinosaur party. He is pretty excited. I can't believe my baby will be four years old!
We have been staying really busy. Life is good. I try to keep the schedules straight, with all of the children doing different things after school every day. On Wednesday I was in a panic because I couldn't figure out where Jay was. He finally came home on the second bus, and after I got mad a him for not coming straight home...He said," Mom, I was at gymnastics." OOPS! That was a good mother moment!
On Wednesday Mike and I went home teaching (we are partners) to a member in our group that lives in a small city. Yes, we were told it's small cause it only has 3 million people in it! He teaches English there to be near his fiance Amanda (her English Name) She is the first Chinese citizen to be baptized in Taiwan, about three months ago. She is an amazing person. She spends over 1/2 of her monthly pay riding the bus 2 1/2 hours each way to church and back on Sunday. She leaves at 5:00 am. She is very inspiring. Unfortunately we were unable to meet with her on our visit because of the Chinese law. But she did call Tyler and make sure that he fixed us some food! We didn't have the heart to tell him we ate on the way. We were very full after that! We are very grateful to our girls, who are willing to watch the boys while we go for so long.
This turned out to be a long entry! We hope all of you have a Happy, and scary Halloween! We miss and love all of you...
