Learning to cook

Last night we attended a Chinese cooking class hosted by Pam, a fellow FCC member and a friend. The FCC group hosts these classes every other month and members take turns having it at their house. Yao is the teacher and a friend of another FCC family. This was my second class and it was great. One of the older girls from China babysat while we learned to cook Banana Leaf Chicken, red curry pork, fried rice, and a Chinese custard. I used to have banana trees in my yard when I lived in Puerto Rico - I could use those again to make this recipe. Angel had a great time playing in the playroom with all the other kids.









Yao showing us how to do it!






Angel playing dressup!!








Angel and Kimberly mesmerized by a toy.

2nd Day of Kindergarten

Ok I am not going to create a post for each day of Angel's Kindergarten but just thought I would post her second one, since we were able to procure a Spiderman backpack! All is right with the world now.

Angel's 1st Day of Kindergarten!!

Well today was a big day for Angel. She started Kindergarten today. Our school district has a staggered start for Kindergarten, which mean that for the first 4 days of the first week, only 1/4 of the class actually comes to school each day and the entire class goes on Friday. Today was Angel's staggered day. Since TS Fay got in the way of orientation last week, we went in to meet her teacher yesterday, so she was familiar with her classroom today. She was so excited to start. She packed her Spiderman lunch bag with a Lunchable and juice and off she went. It was harder for me to leave her there than for her to stay. But I am glad she was excited. She won't go back until Friday, which is hard for her to understand. But starting next week she will go everyday. She is definitely ready!!!





Her first day!!




Packing her lunch!!





All packed up!!




Waiting patiently to go into her classroom!!

Fay went Away!!!

Well Thank God Fay is over for our area at least. Fortunately we did not have any damage or major power outages. We were able to get out and about yesterday and today. Yesterday we went out to get some school supplies (Angel needed her SpiderMan backpack and Josh needed a new one also). We also went to see Ellie in a local gymnastics competition. She did really well and it was neat to see in person. Makes you really appreciate the skill of the Olympic gymnasts.

Today we went to church, and then met our friends Sophie and her Mom, Maria at the pool. We were able to swim for about 2 hours until another storm rolled in. So we went over to Sophie's house to play for a while longer. That is Sophie and Angel playing in the picture above.

Fay, Fay Go AWAY!!

Ok anytime now would be a good time for Tropical Storm Fay to leave. Angel's daycare has been closed since Wednesday so I have been working from home - which is kind of hard to do with a little one around. Josh is here too but sleeping half the day. Josh's school was supposed to start today but will start on Monday. I can't believe he will be in high school!!
Angel has taken this opportunity to play with toys that she has not touched in months. We always seem to be on the go, so this has had the time to really play without being having to rush to the next activity. She starts Kindergarten on Tuesday of next week.




















I have had some extra time to organize some closets and my office. So all in all, a few days at home are not so bad. Thank God we have not had any damage thus far. It is hard to see in the pix but the palm tree behind my house is swaying in the wind. It is hard to get good pictures because the winds are so gusty.

Seaworld

This weekend we went to Seaworld with our good friends Carol and Kimberly. We had a blast. We traveled down Friday night, went to dinner and then back to the hotel to swim. Saturday was spent at Seaworld - we did take a break mid-day to take naps - but went back and stayed until it closed. We saw dolphins, sharks, penguins, polar bears, Shamu Rocks, the girls rode a roller coaster and a tea cup ride.
I think the girls had a great time - I know I did.






Hiding in a Polar Bear cave!

Olympics!!

We have been anticipating the start of the Olympics. Friday night we ordered Chinese food and settled in to watch the Opening Ceremony. It was fantastic!! I don't know what I liked best. We are also trying to catch the Women's gymnastics, especially since Angel is taking gymnastics now. Here is a picture of her practicing while the USA team is competing.

Family Reunion

We traveled back to NC to attend a family reunion. My aunt (Mom's sister) and her husband were in town from Portland, Oregon. I had not seen her in several years and of course, they had not met Angel. We all had a great time and Mom was glad we were able to come.