Puppy Love

 

It was a very cold and dreary day in Beijing, so what is a girl and her pup to do when they can't go out to play???  I'll give you one guess.

ISB 6th Grade soccer MVP

Julia received the coaches award for Most Valuable Player on the 6th grade girls soccer team at an assembly at school.  We are very proud of her.  Probably more proud of how humble and gracious she is than the actual award itself. 

Ella Claire and the Great 4th grade Robot challenge!

All of the students in the 4th grade pair up and made "robots" in class.  The robots are like a car but have their own brain that detects the difference between white and black.  They can pick different speeds, different patterns for movement, and of course different exterior.  Ella was partnered up with another quiet little girl named Emma.  The two of them designed their robot and named it "the Demon".  I would say the name was probably the most intimidating part of their robot because it looked and moved like an old grandma car. 
I first heard of the challenge at parent-teacher conferences.  Mrs. Reverman told me that Ella and Emma (the two quietest girls in the class) won the robot challenge for her class.  She said that they were so excited but didn't want anyone to feel bad, so they were very gracious winners.  She told me that their robot, by far, wasn't the fastest or fanciest but it was consistent.  She also told me that for being such gracious winners that they were receiving the Dragon award for the month!  Way to go girls!!
So yesterday, I went to school to watch the official "Robot challenge"  the 6 winners of each 4th grade class room got to compete against each other for the title and bragging rites.  There is a black platform with a white circle painted on it and the goal is to knock the other robot out of the circle.  Best out of 3 wins.  They went for 8 rounds until everybody had competed against each other.  The robot with the most points from "knocking out" their opponents was the champion.  Let's just say that the demon was just no match for the "king killer", the "the scorpion", or "the metal stabber" (yes that was it's name).  They may have tied for last place, but I couldn't have been more proud of those girls for the intelligence to make a robot and the way that they conducted themselves.  It is remarkable to see kids at such a young age be able to create and understand such technology as these robots.  I was blown away!!        Incidentally, it was also pajama day.....just so you don't think poorly of me for sending my child to school in pajamas!

Ella and Emma with their teacher Mrs. Reverman

If you can't tell, "the demon" is getting smoked by "the scorpion".

Setting up for round 2!

This was "the scorpion" biting the dust.  Those girls just smiled!!

"The Demon"  vs. "the metal stabber" (aptly named)

They were nervous......and sooo cute!!

Trick or Treat Yosemite style

Halloween was a lot of fun in our neighborhood.  We have never lived in such a huge populated area for trick or treating before.  There were parties at neighbors, donkey pulled wagon rides through the streets, all the Yosemite guards were dressed as wizards and a ridiculous amount of kids scavenging for treats.  After a brief party, the girls took off with their friends for trick or treating and I was left at our doorstep with some real American candy bars (imported by Kelly from the US when he was home on business...FYI: Chinese candy is NOT good), and a bottle of wine to share with my friend and neighbor who was at her stoop.  There were some very creative costumes and some not so creative.  My favorite will be posted below.  He is one of my friends little boys (Julia's friend Rayna's brother) named Rudra.  He was a super hero, but the most super part was he insisted on wearing his underwear on the outside of his costume.  He told his mom that that was how the super hero's did it!  Who could argue with that???
I ran out of candy after the first hour, so when Ella came home she wanted to hand out candy and gave away all of her own candy from her pumpkin.  She didn't want to disappoint all the little kids that came by. (Proud parent moment)  Then, Julia finally graced us with her presence again and gave her candy to Ella after hearing what she did. (Proud parent moment)   It was a fantastic night and we got to bed way to late!!! Happy Halloween everyone!

Yosemite motorcycle guard dressed as a wizzard!

Ella's friend Lulu......Harry Potter something???

My neighbor from across the street....this is actually a Chinese man that scared the crap out of all the kids that rang his bell!

Wagon rides powered by donkey.

Wasn't that nice of them to strategically place that garbage bag so I didn't step in donkey dung the next morning on my AM run!!!

My neighbor went all out with decorating.

Sophia and some other neighborhood kids.

This is by far the most hilarious thing I saw.  Rudra wearing his spidey costume with his undies on the outside.  Because that is how super hero's do it!!!

Lulu and India

This little guys mom made this whole costume!!

Tracy keeping me company and loopy!!!

Our neighbor girl (Tracy's daughter) India.  She is slender man (whatever in the heck that is)

Last but not least the cutest little pirate wench in the whole wide world......Ella Claire!  Julia didn't stay still or around long enough to be photographed.  I have been replaced by friends.  I knew this day would come.....sniff sniff