Spring & Silas

Every Sunday we get to see this cuteness, not the dandelion, but the cuteness below, Silas. He is a delight to be around. He's just hilarious. We love watching him search for chocolate & sweets, give his sisters sweet hugs, play with his toys and just be all boy, each Sunday.

Silas loves to go outside! A few Sundays ago with each person that left Silas was getting more and more anxious to go outside! He would point to his coat, put on his shoes, and finally put on his coat, as each new group left his house Sunday, hoping, just hoping, maybe he too would get to go outside!

I was watching the scene and my heart just melted for the little guy, so Zachary and I decided to take him outside on a walk. I'm so glad we did. It was awesome to see the outside, spring weather and flowers, with a little 2 year old by our side. He quickly sought out the dandelions and blew those seeds away like a pro.

We love the spring time here! I know we've said it before but I'll keep saying it and taking pictures! Its just so beautiful!

This little one looks familiar! We have lots of these in Texas!

Silas quickly discovered, thanks to Uncle Zachary, that if he hit the cherry blossoms, tons of petals would go flying off! This, of course, was great fun for him!

After a while of playing in the grass and hitting trees, Silas headed towards the Klugg's (his fan) house but animatedly started saying "bike! bike! bike!" and walking across the square to a lobby where tons of bikes were kept. I told Silas, "Sorry, those aren't our bikes. Those are someone else's." But he was on a mission. He walked into the lobby and started saying, "Bike! Bike! Me bike!" and pointing to a very cool strider. So, after much inquiry of Silas, "Is this your bike? It's yours? Yours?" we finally determined that it was, in fact, his bike!

Of course, he knew it all along! He probably thought we were very slow! This little man showed his bike who's boss! He was awesome on it! He was flying across the square with his legs up and having so much fun!

Zachary and I are convinced that this bike is amazing and our kids will never have training wheels but instead a strider. I mean, really! He's two! And he was already balancing with his legs up.

Looking fly Silas, looking fly! I love these little moments that make us slow down and just enjoy the things and people around us. 

An Art Show

This past weekend we attended the Young Artists of the Year 2014 art show. By attended, I mean we went to, by Young Artists of the Year, I mean really young! There was art displayed from ages 4 to 18. There was even noodle art on display, super cute!

 

 The whole event was put on by our sweet friend Bruna for one of the local international schools. The exhibit showcased their students work to be judged by a group of judges. All the proceeds from the event went to a Chinese orphanage. We bought a few of these raffle tickets once we got there.

 And.....spoiler alert: We won all the above!! :) We are super excited! I know cans of soup, peanut butter and cereal may not look like much to you Western readers, but let me tell you, this is hitting the gold mine here.

 I loved these little taxi books that YCIS (the International school) made! They are filled with local attractions, restaurants and stores with their English and Chinese name & address to show taxi drivers. Such an awesome idea as a welcome gift for people who are moving overseas!

 Dave, Bruna's husband, giving Zachary the verbal tour of the art work.

 Dave, from the States, and Bruna, who put on the event, from Brazil. 

Zachary and I really loved this piece of art. It's about taking exams but we think it would be awesome if the book was instead in the shape of a heart with God's love & redemption type words, the hands were pierced, and the stuff running down was blood with lists of sins. Maybe we'll have to recreate it!

 Loved this, a sketch of all the different main attractions in major Chinese cities, Qingdao's May 4th Square tornado at center.

 Such a beautiful picture but dark. I really love the eyes.

 Nicole, Erin and Rosanna rocking the event by helping Bruna work the booths.

 Qingdao and Street food

 Bruna made these delicious bon bons for sale.

There were a bake sale booth with tons of goodies with all the proceeds going to the charity.

The children who attended the even got a real treat! I was a little jealous I'm not gonna lie! They have tons of fun colors, paints and glitter to create a masterpiece on their own square of canvas.

Fracasse de frango! Delicious Brazilian food was available for lunch! I'm definitely going to look for the recipe online! It was awesome.

The little guy was all ham. He kept coming over and playing with Zachary, when he saw Zachary was interested in playing, he ran away and came back quickly, decked out in glitter and glasses for Zachary's viewing approval. So cute!

We had a great time! Thanks Bruna for all the hard work you put into this and for your huge heart for Chinese orphans!

Randoms.

Just a few homies seeing Captain America.

A bunch of random pictures that is. The above is a picture at our favorite, Sea Horse Sushi. It's amazingly good. Their Udon Noodle Hot Pot puts me in instant bliss.

Sometimes we take friends to have sushi with us, too. :)

Deliciousness. 

Elevator kisses. I know. I know. Gag me. Right? 

A watermelon margarita, yum and yummer.

A mango daiquiri. I'm feeling very Thailand with these drinks.

Fire works, fire works!

Oh my goodness. Did she really put ANOTHER kissing picture in this post?! I did friends. I did. I know, I'm ridiculous. But we never have those. I try. I really try. But they always turn out weird and awkward. Still awkward? Shucks! Who takes pictures while kissing?!

So, a few weeks ago my students and I found some ginormous and beautiful strawberries at the fruit stand outside of our house. We promptly bought them and were inspired to make some chocolate covered strawberries which led to the above. The chocolatation of Zachary's face. The girls were very pleased with their work.

We rolled those babies in sprinkles, heath bar pieces and mint pieces. They are delish.

Demolished. 

Roomie enjoying a strawberry.

Last but certainly not least, actually the best, Chara in my school vest.

Presh to the iss. 

The girls' got hips. She get's it from her momma.