I've heard that Christmas starts early in the Philippines and now I know it does.....
The other day as I entered a store I was greeted by the sight of at least 12 Chrsitmas trees set up, Christmas music blaring on the loud speakers, and racks and racks of Christmas decorations!!!!!
Mikayla and Kurt enjoy eating squid.
So, one day we are at the market and see this big squid.
"O yum," Mikayla pipes up! "Can we buy it?"
So in a moment of temporary insanity on my part we decide to buy it.
Squid
We bring it home, look up on line how to clean and cook squid,
and try it for supper. Of course, the Mom ends up cleaning this thing!
The black oil that comes out of one of those things is amazing!!!!
So is the plastic looking spinal thingy! (How do you like that for scientific definitions!!!!!)
Mikayla breading the squid
Fried Squid
Mikayla and Kurt thought it was okay.
Kurt
Mikayla
Kirsten, Ben, and I decided it was not our favourite!
Kirsten's response
Ben's response
Bear enjoyed the leftovers!
Bear chewing on a bone prior to his squid dinner!
As I put Ben to bed on August 14th, after his first day of school, he asks me, "Mom, what am I doing tomorrow?"
I answered, "You are going to school."
His response...."AGAIN?"
Ben
Now that he is in his second week of school, he thinks it's okay, but he also thinks there are lots of rules to follow!!!!
Mikayla is in 7th grade.
Mikayla and Bear
Kirsten is in 4th grade.
Kirsten and Taters
Benjamin started Kindergarten today. He was so excited to be going to school for the first time.
A tired 'Sir Knight Ben'
Please continue to uphold them before the Father's throne in prayer as they continue to deal with cross-cultural adjustments, missing friends and relatives back in the States, and dealing with the every day issues of growing up.
Pray also for Mikayla and Kirsten to get completely over the fungal and bacterial infections they have had in their ears. Mikayla is now on her third round of antibiotics and ear drops. Kirsten's infection is finally showing signs of clearing up so she is just on ear drops now. They both came down with ear infections over a month ago. The doctor said it was most likely from swimming in dirty water.
We thank God for our children and for how well, overall, they have done with the move overseas.
Ben has turned 6!
He enjoyed time at Crocodile Park on his actual birth date.
We had a couple family friends over for his actual birth date party.
At Crocodile Park - Ben and Kirsten with a snake
Blowing out Birthday Candles
A good friend gave Ben a play castle and knight outfit that her boys were no longer using. Ben loves that castle. He's been sleeping in it at night! Sir Knight Ben!!!!!!
Knight Ben
Because most of his buddies had been on furlough for the summer we also celebrated his 6th birthday with a beach bash yesterday. His buddies were back from furlough. The weather was great. They all played in the water. We had brownies and ice cream. Ben flew a kite. He had a good time, though he will tell you he's 7 since he had two parties!!!!
At the beach with friends
