HoT, hOt, HOT!

Summer in Charleston = HOT and HUMID

98° feels like 104°

The heat is not the worst part.  It's the heaviness of the air.  The humidity. 

Not the best time of year to traipse around the downtown area.

However

We have some company.

Company that has never been to Charleston.

So traipse we did!

And we got real, real hot...

I did what any self-respecting southerner would do!

I put the kids in the fountain!

That is called "southern hospitality"!

Clearly, Mia is enjoying herself!

Seriously.

This kid enjoyed herself!

It was so much fun to watch!

Claire is enjoying a week long visit with her China cousin, Mia! 

And mom is enjoying a week long visit with Mia's mom!!!

And now you know why there isn't much to read on here these days.

But, I'll be back soon!

Party Over Here!

Claire and her precious friend, Moli, of Our Red Thread Journey, hosted their first ever Chinese New Year party today!  Maybe there will be a second annual party next year!  What do you think, Tara?  Moli's mom, Tara was in charge of the crafts.  That was a big job!  She came up with some cute ones.

I thought it was too much fun!  And, a lot of hectic.  But, I like hectic!  What can I say?  The more children packed into my house, the more to be thankful for, right?   Full hands = happiness in my book.

My girls spent days getting ready for the party.  And, had a ton of fun. 

I don't know about you, but we call this school!

And this?  That's called A-dor-able!

After all the prep work.....our friends arrived!  YAY!  Claire kept asking me, "when will my friends be here?"  And of course, once they got here....

She was stuck to me like duck tape!  The boys did all the photography for me today.  Therefore, there were actually about six pictures similar to this one.  You know....with her hand on my pocket as I walked around. I'd made the mistake of telling the boys to make sure and get lots of photos of Isabel and Claire, because I won't put other people's kids on my blog....unless they gave permission.   So yeah.  We have loads of photos of whatever Claire was doing.....like hanging onto my apron strings derrière. But, I figured you'd appreciate NOT having to see numerous pictures of my BUTT!  

You're welcome.

How crazy was it?

We split the kids into two groups of about nine.  I read stories and did a cooking activity with each group.  Tara did crafts with each group.  It went well! 

And looked a little busy!

Okay, a lot busy! So busy in fact that the only pictures the boys got of Tara, she's a blur! 

But, look at these cute crafty things!  Happy year of the tiger, people!

RrrrrRrrrrRrrrrr!

(that's my tiger growl.....if you didn't know)

My kids had a super fun time.  I think all the kids did! 

More paper lanterns! 

We served homemade dumplings and they were scrumptious.  Said the kids, because I totally did not wolf down like 10 of them standing in the kitchen while they cooked.  Nope.  Not me!  Because that would just be yummy selfish!

Isabel helped!

Yuanxiao

Sweet rice balls. 

Very interesting.

That's all I'll say about that.

Okay, you twisted my arm!

They taste like rice flavored gummy bears in sugar water.

Appetizing, no?

But, they are a traditional dish for the Lantern Festival. 

So, we had to try them, right?

Not surprisingly......some of the children liked them.

 Well, it was made with loads of sugar. 

Which explains a lot. 

Me?  Not so much.

I'll stick with the pot stickers!

Who is that captivating all 18 children while I scramble around in the kitchen trying to get enough dumplings steamed to serve to those kiddos? It's bird!  It's a plane!  Heck no.  It's the best husband! in! the! world! Period. 

Now you see why we have so many kids?  And why he says we should have another one?  And why I don't argue with him about it?

Jie Jie Isabel, Jie Jie Grace, Mei Mei Claire, Mei Mei Moli

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

From our house to yours,

have a happy and prosperous new year!

Bonus Bonus!

Cake Pop-Rock Stars!

Because I love y'all soooo much, I share!

More Adventures of Claire and Casey!

So, we survived Monday and decided to brave the beach on Tuesday. It was raining in West Ashley (the part of Charleston I live in) when we headed toward the shore. That does not mean it will be raining at the beach, so we took the chance and were rewarded! It was beautiful! The kids had a great time. Casey loved the seagulls and fed them well. Claire "swam" in the ocean and Noah hunted the elusive sharks teeth....since the poor boy couldn't body surf with his cast!

Claire says "I'm swummin', mommy"!

Yes, they are in matching swimsuits!

Noah enjoyed himself despite the fact that that cast ruins everything!

Parker

Found a starfish and threw it back....'cause it might matter to that little guy.

Cold water!

Mommy's Monkey!

Little help from brother.

Playing with sister.

It was a great day!

Oh My Goodness!

Boy do we have a lot of catching up to do! The past week was crazy. We tried to stick to our school schedule, since we are so far behind anyway, while having company. That is not easy to do! And, it didn't work out all that well some days. But, we had fun and we are still on track to finish school at the end of June....finally! I think I will start early next school year so that if illness settles on this house for a month again next year, we'll have wiggle room in our schedule!

So, onto our crazy week. After spending last weekend with my parents, in honor of my Dad's......ummmmm, 39th birthday, my friend, Michelle, and her Monkey came back to Charleston with us for a little R&R. Okay, I don't know how much rest and relaxation they actually got.....I know I got none. But, we had a really good time and that's what counts!

On Monday, we had a little pool time and a little school time, followed by a little exercise....or should I say an exercise in futility......I'll get to that in a minute. Now for double cuteness in the kiddie pool!

Our little bathing beauties! The water was a wee bit too cold for Casey....didn't seem to bother Claire in the least!


After our pool time and a nap for the girls....and possibly Michelle, I thought it would be nice to walk over to a nearby playground. You know, get a little exercise....on a little walk....about 2 miles. Michelle thought I was nuts! Well, she actually agreed before she knew how far away it was. We didn't get a block away before I thought Michelle was going to call a cab! Seriously. But, she made it.....I laughed the whole way. We walk and ride our bikes around our neighborhood a lot. I tried to convince her that exercise is a good thing. Nothing doing. She wasn't buying! Especially not when we see wildlife like this along the way!



Then we stopped to watch the geese.....until they got a little too close for comfort and then Michelle had enough!

Casey wanted to chase the ugly duckling!

She and Isabel ended up running from the ugly ducklings!

Anyway, we made it to the playground and the kids had a blast....while Michelle rested. Well, as much as Casey would let her rest. Which wasn't much!


Isabel pushed her in the swing. This girl is fearless! She went way up high and laughed about it!


She scaled the wall in no time!



And, the 15 foot high spiral slide was no match for Casey the monkey! Can't you just see that mischievous look in her eyes here!



The boys did a little rip-stickin'. Yes, that is how Noah broke his arm......please note the that he is riding with a cast. No, we have not thrown the rip-stick away, much to my mother-in-law's dismay! If at first you don't succeed????



Isabel havin' some fun!



A little co-swinging.



I don't think Casey likes the swing....not. at. all.

Claire, on the other hand, really didn't enjoy the swings. But, she liked sliding down the spiral slide with one of her "people", MC (our neighbor)!

You'll have to tune in tomorrow if you want to see some more adventures of Claire and Casey! That is if I have better luck with the internet tomorrow than I've had today.....this may not get posted until tomorrow at this rate.

I had so much trouble posting this on Saturday that it is now Sunday and I am trying to get it posted now. I think we need a new wireless router.