In bloom

The gorgeous weather here has continued and time continues to fly.  We've gotten to be outside a lot to eat ice cream, enjoy some fall colors, and admire the flowers that are still blooming.  One of our favorite places recently was the Yuz museum where they featured a Rain Room.  The ceiling and floor had sensors that connected one another so the rain came down around a person, but not on them.  The museum also had a fun Charlie Chaplin exhibit.

The girls have been active in school activities and extra-curriculars.  Nina is in a book club and has been elected to student council.  Vivian is in a ballet class and had 3 lines in her last school assembly.  They continue to learn new Chinese songs and develop. 

Dinner and treats for Kara's birthday

Golden Week II

After a great start to the school year, it's nice to get a break.  Our Golden Week is off to a good start as we've gotten to spend a lot of time together and just do a short outing each day.  We've relaxed, enjoyed some good food and sights, and the girls have had the opportunity to just play.  They've been coloring, designing their own board games, and made pretend claw machines (their arm was the claw).  The weather has been wonderful and it's so nice not sweating as soon as we leave the apartment.  We've been watching some classic movies as well and the girls really loved The Sandlot.  Movie quotes have been hilarious as of late, although Nina saying "For-ev-er, for-ev-er" might be getting a tad old.  

Turtle Time       -----      Fish Frenzy

Spy Kids    -----    Another Sofar Concert

Back in the groove

The Naks are firmly in the school year now and it's nice to have a routine.  The girls have been pretty good about getting up these days and Vivian has been enjoying her time in Kindergarten.  She is working hard to improve her writing and is doing extra homework!  Ben has been busy with his advanced juniors and seniors while keeping track of his younger students too.  He spent a Friday-Saturday helping coach at the YCIS sports camp.  The weather was warm, but the students worked hard and Ben is definitely sore after some intense training.  We've gotten to spend some weekends out doing fun activities with friends which included a welcome-back party at the girls' school, a murder mystery, and a scavenger hunt in the French Concession of Shanghai. 

Scale model of Shanghai    -----      Swiss big band

3rd place finishers    ----    Ben was the killer

Look who's on the cover of the school diary

(She wrote about this for the 'embarrassing moment' writing prompt)