First Day of School

Joseph and Audrey headed back to school today. Mommy made onion pancakes for breakfast. The kids love them. Mommy thought we were doing pretty good on time but the bus was already downstairs waiting. Mommy tried to snap a few pics but Audrey was not feeling very cooperative.

Joseph and Audrey were pretty happy when they got home. They said they had a good first day at school.

Cello Performance

Below is a video of Joseph’s most recent cello performance at the all school assembly. He was so brave to play in front of all the students and their parents. The cellists started the musical performance. Joseph’s friend Matthew went first. Joseph was second on the program. He did a really good job. The head of the Music Temple program (the company that is contracted to teach music at the school) said that he was really impressed with the improvement that Joseph had made this semester in playing the cello. Joseph does like to play the cello, but like with most kids, getting him to practice can often be quite an ordeal. Joseph said that he would like to continue to play cello next term so that was good to hear.

Budding Artist

Mommy wanted to do some painting this morning. Nunu wanted to paint too so Mommy set her up with a canvas, brushes, and acrylic paint.  She took her painting very seriously.  Nunu probably sat and painted for 30 minutes to an hour.  Mommy took some fun pictures of her as she painted.

Eight Years Old!

Joseph turned 8 recently.  Mommy can hardly believe that so much time has gone by.  The little guy is not so little anymore.  Joseph is super active.  He always wants to be doing something.  He loves to play soccer, basketball, and ping pong. Recently he has asked to start playing badminton too.  Joseph also loves to read and spends a lot of time at the school library.  His favorite computer game is Minecraft, and he likes to play it whenever he has the chance.  Joseph started playing the cello last term.  He is making good progress and seems to enjoy music quite a bit. Joseph is also very interested in photography.  He has been actively participating in a Project 365 with Mommy.  He asked for a digital camera for his birthday.  Mommy and Daddy bought him his own camera so that he can take lots of pictures!

Now that he is old enough to be baptized, Joseph decided that he wanted to wait to be baptized in the summer so that extended family could be there for the occasion. We are all looking forward to his baptism this summer.

On Joseph’s actual birthday, he went to his friend’s birthday party so his party was scheduled for today.  Joseph asked for a Lego theme party.  He loves Lego!  We had a great time playing games, racing Lego cars, playing soccer, and eating pizza and cake.  Joseph said he had a great time at his party.  Mommy is glad.

Audrey is 6!

Mommy can’t believe that Audrey is 6 years old!  It is amazing how quickly time flies.  Audrey is as silly and spunky as ever.  We love our little Audrey girl. 

 

Soccer Game

Joseph’s team played another Jakarta International School team this morning.  Sadly, the PEL Team lost the game.  The final score was 3-2.  The teams were fairly evenly matched in terms of skill.  Several of the kids on the other team were physically larger than all the kids on Joseph’s team.  Also, the other team seemed to play a bit “dirty.”  There were several instances where the other team should have been penalized but were not.  The Indonesian referees are not very assertive.  I think Joseph’s team could have won the game but a couple of their key players seemed like they were not having a good day.  The goalie especially was off his groove.  He is a really good player and an amazing goalie, but he was totally off his game today.  Overall, it was still a really exciting game to watch.  I also got to grab some fun pictures.

 

 

 

I asked Joseph about this incident where the kid was deliberately trying to trip him.  Joseph said everything was okay…he just “jumped” over his foot…lol.

 

 

 

Joseph was pretty tired toward the end of the third quarter.  Coach let him sit out for a few minutes and then he went back in and finished the game.

Chinese New Year

We had lots of opportunities to celebrate Chinese New Year.  Joseph had a class party last Friday.  That night we were invited to another party with some other Taiwanese families.  The kids made out like bandits with the hong bao (red envelopes).   On Sunday I hosted a Chinese New Year dinner with a couple of families in the ward.  Then on Monday, Audrey’s class had a little celebration as well.  Joseph’s little friend Annie said that for Chinese New Year “We eat, and then we eat again!”  That is a good description of what has been going on the last few days…lol.   Our apartment complex is all decorated for Chinese New Year and the staff even wore Chinese clothing.  The kids got to see a Lion dance at school and fed the Lion red envelopes.  Some day we may have to go some place where they really celebrate Chinese New Year.  I think that would be exciting to see.

 

Pictures of the kids counting their loot.  Poor Joseph wasn’t feeling well that night.