Horseback Riding

This morning we took the girls to go horseback riding. There is a really nice equestrian center very close to our house and they do pony rides on Sunday mornings. Emily was galloping all over the house saying "giddy up" but of course when we got there she was too scared. She watched the from afar. Then there was brave Samantha. Who would have thought right? She was a little nervous at first but then jumped right on and had fun. Nice morning event.

Once we were back in the car Emily blew air through her lips and made a perfect horse noise. It was so freaking cute. Maybe not the next time but maybe after that, she will ride.

Gong Xi Fa Chi

Happy Chinese New Year or as Emily says "gong ci french fry". It is so cute. Both girls dressed up and had little parades and celebrations at school. Emily's school also had a lion dance which she can not stop talking about. They gave the kids oranges for good luck. We also took them to see a really cool acrobatic lion dance at one of the malls. Unbelievable. I wish we had the video camera. I posted a few lion dance photos from a ladies night party I attended. Not as impressive as some but still fun to watch.

They both looked adorable in their dresses!

Valentine's Day

Although they don't really celebrate Valentine's Day here, we had a small celebration. Kyle and the girls picked out some beautiful flowers and chocolates for me. And then the girls and I made Kyle a special dinner. Samantha set the table beautifully, including her homemade place cards. We had heart shape meatloaf and sprinkle decorated chocolate tart. Here are a few photos. Oh yes, and the girls wore their special red dresses for the occasion.

Disney

For months I have been planning a surprise trip to Disneyland in Hong Kong for the kids, my parents and us. My mom has been dying to take the kids and with us moving over here it has not worked out so well. We have had several friends go to Hong Kong and they said it is a much smaller park but for the little kids it is great.

To execute the surprise I wrapped up little mickey and minnie characters and tied a note around their necks that said "See you at Disneyland in Hong Kong". Then we gave them on Christmas Eve. The attached video is the reaction. My mom is priceless. The girls are excited but don't really know what they are in for. Anyway not much time to pack and finalize plans because we leave tomorrow morning!

In order to balance out all the kid mania we are going to the island of Macau first which is the Las Vegas of Asia. Kyle and I are excited about this part. We will stay at the Venetian for two nights and then go the Disney Hotel for three nights. We thought it would be a good time to get some gambling and drinking done while we have baby sitters. :)

Post pictures soon.

Emily's Birthday Part 2

Here are some more photos from Emily's birthday party (after our camera died).

The Skinny Santa

Samantha shined in her first Christmas production, as the Easter Bunny. Yes, that is correct, the Easter Bunny in the Christmas play. I wasn't sure the connection either until after the performance. One of the teachers wrote this cute play about the skinny Santa. He just wasn't hungry and Mrs. Clause was worried because all the children were expecting a fat Santa. Anyway they did the first number "Eat It" to the Michael Jackson song Beat It. Then Santa got a little fatter. Then they decided he needed some "Gingerbread" hence the second dance. Once again he got fatter. Then he need something healthy so the next dance was all about "Healthy Foods". Then enters the Easter Bunny to fatten Santa even more. There were 5 kids in the production that were one offs with lines. I have to say I was really worried about Samantha memorizing her lines but she mastered them perfectly. They also prerecorded their voices that they played live just in case anyone froze.

She had to say:

I can see the problem here

I know just what to do

Don't you worry Santa

I can fix this hullabaloo

I eat Easter eggs at Easter

At Christmas I eat Turkey

Get yourself a plate of it

And soon you will be feeling perky.

Quite ambitious lines for a 4 year old I thought but she did fine. So the last dance was all the "Turkeys" to fatten Santa even more. By the end he was all set. It was really cute and all the kids did a great job.

Enjoy the photos.

First Trophy

Well soccer has come to an end. Just when Samantha was starting to get into it. Well last week she was playing goalie and pretty much got her head stuck in the net playing around. But besides that she was doing good. Nonetheless all the kids had fun and best of all...they got trophies at the end of the season party. Samantha just loves hers. A few pics from the party. Samantha and her coach, Chris. Her good friend Karan and her friend Annabel. Both in her class and also on her team.