Cute :)

The kids were invited to a Super Hero Bday party. Brady was very excited to wear his Spiderman costume. I explained to him that he needed to take a good nap and we'd leave when he woke up. Well, I laid him down in his undies for nap and this is how I found him when I went to wake him up!! :) Too cute!!

 

 Rilynn was finally able to wear her costume!

 

 

This was pretty funny.. First we read this sign, but couldn't figure out what they were talking about. But then we concluded that it was to exert caution while viewing this SCARY painting!!! LOL

Bring on the Sports!

Now that school started it's time for the sports to start. This semester we are doing more than usual to occupy our time :)

 

Brady is doing swimming, baseball, soccer, and Kung Fu. Rilynn is doing swimming, gymnastics, soccer, and possibly an art class as Kung Fu didn't go over too well! lol

 

Baseball here is ages 5+, but I emailed the program and asked about letting Brady in. They had an assessment day and said they would see him play and then decide. Well, being the star he is he made the cut :) He was so excited!! He got a new glove, cleats, and of course the biggest necessity... Batting gloves!  :)

 

It's 1 1/2 hours a week and the kids could go on all day! His energy is really amazing..

 

 

He REALLY enjoyed beating the big kids!! lol

Thanks to some great dads in our complex they started their Sunday soccer program back up again. The kids really love playing with all of their friends...

And lastly, Brady has been begging to try Kung Fu. So we finally did a trial for both kids. Brady loved it, Rilynn not so much :) She'd rather go across the hall for an art class!



Hopefully, I'll get better pics next week!

Nike Festival

With Chad being gone we need to fill up our weekends.. Last weekend they had a free Nike Festival event in Shanghai. Lebron James and Kevin Durrant were supposed to be there as well as a bunch of other NBA players, Chinese Olympians and athletes, and the New England Patriot Cheerleaders..

 

 

Have no idea who this guy was, but he was surrounded by cameras and people, so I'm assuming someone good :)

They had a bunch of different sport stations where you learn and the practice the sport. Brady wanted to give skateboarding a try :)

 We went with our buddies, The Thompson Family

 

 Field Goal Station

 

 Like the Nike tattoo on the forehead? Some ladies were putting them on the kids and that's where he wanted it! lol

 

 Go Vikes!

Some of the cheerleaders.. They gave each of the kids a large poster with their autographs on it. Not sure how appropriate it is to have it hanging up on a 4 year olds wall :)

First Day of School..

 

And another school year starts in Shanghai. Rilynn will be starting Year 2E at YCIS (1st grade). And Brady is in K4A (preschool). Today was a very bittersweet day... The kids (and mommy!) were very excited for them to start school back up, but it was also the day when Chad would have to leave :(

 

In case you hadn't heard there were several changes that happened to us over the summer. 3M had a new position for Chad starting September 1. We originally came home for the summer expecting to stay in Minnesota. However, they realized it was too sudden, so ok'd it for the kids and I to stay in China while Chad started his new job in Michigan. The plan for the new job is to move the company back to Minnesota, where hopefully we will all unite as a family and move back into our home together in December.

 

It's crazy for me to think that the kids and I will be living in China by ourselves for the next 4 months, but it's really what works best for us. NEVER in a million years would I have thought I'd ever say that!!! But really, we have AMAZING friends here that I know will take care of us and that totally understand our situation here and are always more than willing to invite us over for dinner or to give me a break and take the kids for a bit :)

 

Anyways, now that we're caught up.. Back to school-

 Ok, not the FIRST day, but close :) lol

 

Rilynn with her English teacher Ms. Lor from Cambodia

 

Chinese teacher - Ms. Ma

 

 Actual first day pic :)

 

 Parents Night- So proud of her job :)

 

 

 Brady was so excited to start school. He was also even more thrilled when he saw his buddy Lucas, from Japan, in his class!!

 Brady's English teacher Ms. Torie from Canada. Have to work on a pic of his Chinese teacher Ms. Julia :)

 

The kids have done absolutely perfect with the beginning of a new year. No tears and have already made a bunch of new friends!



Valerie and Jeremy's Wedding

The biggest event while we were home was my baby sister's wedding.. The first weekend back was her bachelorette party and then her wedding was July 14th. Was a beautiful day and a wonderful wedding!!

 

Grandma's first bachelorette party ever!! She stayed out with us until midnight :)

 

Brady and Connor the Ring Security- aka ringbearers

 Rehearsal

Wedding Day!

The 3 flowergirls

 

Sisters!

 

 

 The family

 

Rilynn and Auntie Valerie