Sir Josiah the Brave Turns 6

May 1 is a public holiday in Hong Kong (Labor Day) so Josiah always has school off for his birthday. We planned to have his party at a park, but moved it to the school when the forecast looked threatening. In the end it never rained, but ICS was a convenient venue with enough space for little knights (and princesses) to run wild. 

 Some of his buddies made costumes for the occasion

 To get started the kids personalized their shields. . . .

 . .  . while the mamas talked and snuggled babies

 3 of the boys at the party were named Josiah.

I love this picture of Jack and Josiah. Best Buds since birth. 

Once equipped with their shields "King" Jason explained to the young "Paiges" that they must overcome some tests of strength, smarts and courage to become a "Squire" and finally a Knight. The first challenge was jousting. When the trumpet sounded (thank you iphone) they ran with their horse to spear a circle with their joust. 

 Serious business

The next challenge required teamwork as one team would catapult a "rock"to the other team which had to catch it in order to save the "castle". The catapult had some technical difficulties, so the dads had their own fun getting it to launch. (:

Next we fed the hungry knights. Josiah's request was drumsticks and juice from a goblet. 

After lunch Jason sent the kids on a scavenger hunt around the school that led them to the "castle" where their final mission was to slay the dragon (a piñata the kids and I made ). 

After all the dragon slaying we rewarded the kids with cupcakes and Jason "knighted" each child and presented them with their very own "sword". (Seriously my husband is amazing- he could have a side job doing birthday parties). 

 Happy Birthday Sir Josiah!! May you always be brave and valiant, fighting for justice in the world.

Catching Up

I've taken a little break from this space due to moving and subsequently no internet until today (yay!) Here are a few "every day" photos from the last month. . . 

             

Jason got Josiah hooked on the adventures of Robin Hood. One night Jason read for 2 hours- without falling asleep (although Annette didn't make it!)

 Doesn't she look like a big girl? Keep in mind this is a tiny chair (: 

Our neighbor Daisy taught the kids how to make the very popular rubber band bracelets.  As you can see from Annette' face it takes a lot of focus

 The kids had their annual spring concert which is always such a  fun morning. Can you find Annette? She is the only "gwilo" in her grade.

Our neighbors Sylvia and Isabel taught the kids how to make sushi- which they loved!

My friend Emily sewed these dresses for her blog and Annette and Annabelle got to be her models. You can read the story behind the dresses here. Aren't they fun?

This kids have been really into magic tricks. You can't come visit our house with seeing the rabbit come out of the hat.

Speaking of tricks, this is Annabelle's latest trick- climbing! I found her like this this morning, which is better than yesterday where I found her at the top of my friend's bunk bed. Yikes!

Annabelle has a friend, Yi Li,  here from China (a foster daughter of my friend). Aren't they sweet? 

This photo captures how I feel by 8 pm most days. The big kids are not faking it- they are really asleep and Annabelle is eating my hand. 

Happy Easter!!

The Walls are Coming in On Us

These photos were taken from our balcony. In the less than two years we have lived in this house, 35 story towers have shot up around us. The sky seems to be shrinking and as you can see in just  few more stories higher (they build a story a week) the mountains will disappear from our view. The restless energy of Hong Kong is a force that I both love and hate. It invigorates and drains me depending on the day. 

So we are gearing up for another move, for several reasons, not just to do with this construction. This will be our fifth, most remote, and hopefully final place in which we reside in Hong Kong. Our new place will not really be much bigger, but does have three bedrooms which will help a lot with our current sleep issues with Annabelle. It also has a big, useable balcony with a breezy sea view. And most exciting to us, we will have the building's rooftop which means BBQs, kiddy pools, and outdoor space of our very own. We are very thankful!

At church a couple weeks ago we were singing an old beautiful hymn 

My hope it built on nothing less 

Than Jesus blood and righteousness

I dare not trust the sweetest frame

But wholly lean on Jesus name

I’m not sure what a “sweet frame” is but as we sang I was visualizing my dream house.  Sometimes I feel bothered by our unconventional lifestyle feeling like I would prefer the security of a 30 year mortgage in an American neighborhood. But I think the point is, whether we're living in a suburban home, mud hut or flashy high rise our trust should not be in that "frame". God has been reminding me this as I've muddled through all the emotions of finding a new place to live. He must know my propensity to rely of things other than Him. How I long to wholly rely on his name. . . 

Spring Showers and Spring Fever

The rainy season arrived right on time. I have been enjoying the thunder storms that seem to keep rolling in and the sound of pummeling rain through the window screens. Whenever I can I try to give my fellow villager friends a lift to school, especially during downpours. So on a typical day I can have 4- 6 kids crammed in my car which I just love.

Off to school!

Saturday the storms took a rest and we all got major spring fever. 

                                                          Happy Spring to you!!

Annabelle Mei Turns 1

Annabelle turned one the day after we returned from Laos. In order to stay sane we decided to keep it to a low key family celebration. For me the day was full of remembering hour by hour the events of the wonderful day we got to meet tiny little Annabelle.

Annabelle officially took her first steps while we were waiting in a long taxi line at the Bangkok airport (how many people can say that?) We made a huge scene with wild clapping, come- to- mamas, and video taking. Her preferred mode of transportation is still crawling, but she can walk. Here she is loving her birthday gift which can be converted from walker to little car.

Thanks Aunt Christy for the sparkly pink Toms- what could be cuter?!

The kids and I had fun baking a rainbow cake for Annabelle. We were all curious what here reaction would be to her first introduction to sugar. She daintily dipped her finger in the frosting and. . .

a look of sheer delight spread over her face

Until mom decided to put this ridiculous hat on her head, yep the party's over. . .

Annabelle you truly bring so much joy to our lives. You have a cheeky little sense of humor and love any excuse to laugh. You get into absolutely everything, empty all the drawers daily and pull clothes over your head to play peek- a- boo. You  love playing with big kids and aren't afraid of strangers (except men with beards). You hate the fuss of having your clothes changed or your face wiped but you love a splashy bubble bath. Lately you think it is funny to make fake gagging noises and then laugh when I look at you with concern and panic. You have 12 teeth and can eat just about anything we eat, although some things you won't touch. You give the best cuddles after you nap and are a perfect angel in your daddy's eyes. We love you Annabelle Mei. Happy Birthday!