More Beijing Snow

From the title you can tell it snowed again today.

The best part about the snow today was that it was a Tuesday and it was heavy and that can only mean one thing......... SNOW DAY!!!!!

For an Aussie that means nothing really but if you live in a cold climate it means a day off. The Ciempka's made the most of their snow day.

Inches and inches of thick, powdery snow. I am so trying not to think about the fact that the Chinese government sent rockets up into the clouds to seed the clouds to make it snow. The reason why....... President Obama is coming to town next week and everything must be done to ensure blue skies.

I am not thinking about the chemicals or the reasons, I am thinking about the fun.

If this family shot appears on your Christmas card, don't be surprised.

Emily the Artist

Emily works really hard at school - well sometime. I am more concerned that she is still reversing her 3's! Or maybe she has changed her name to Emilyer?

First Snow of the Season

I have not been looking forward to winter and thank God it has taken ages for the cold to arrive at our doorstep.

Saturday was a glorious sunny, warm winter morning.

Sunday morning Miss Claudia sits up in bed (our bed, I might add) and states, "Cool it is snowing!" Much to our surprise it was and in November too!

It snowed all day here and so much fun was had making snow men and enjoying the snow. No matter how many times you see it, you never get sick of it, well I don't.

Tri Tri Triathalon

WAB held a triathalon for grades 3 and up and a biathalon for Grades 1 and 2. Both my sporting ladies entered.

Emily had to swim 150m, run 1.5 kms and ride 2km.

Claudia had to swim 75 m and run 400m.

Both girl's did an amazing job and I was so proud of them.

First Day of School

Another school year has started. Emily is in Grade 3 and Claudia is in Grade 2.

(Claudie and Miss Cath)

Paul is teaching Kindergarten (5 year olds) and I am teaching Infant Art (2 - 7 year olds)

(Em and Mrs Rung)

It is now week three and we have all settled into routine and are enjoying our second year in Beijing. The girls are keen to start sporting activities and after school activities. Both girls are having private music lessons this year. Emily has just started to learn the flute and Claudia is learning the violin. Paul and I are investing in ear plugs very soon.

(Daddy giving the golden handshake)

Beautiful Boracay

Second stop on our summer holiday was Boracay. This place is truly magical

We spent 10 days soaking up the sun, swimming, snorkeling, feeding fish, exploring islands and just enjoying this magical place. The girls swam at the beach all day and Paul and I rested and relaxed and read many books. This was so needed as this year was a big one for us with the move to Beijing and all that has happened. It was an exciting year big nevertheless.

I suppose one of the most memorable experiences for us happened even before we got to Boracay. We were delayed 2 days in Manilla due to a tropical storm. When we were finally able to leave Manilla, our plane over shot the run way in Cataclan and crashed into a paddock near by. No one was hurt, but we were shaken a little. It didn't really dawn on me how close we came to being seriously hurt, till we had to jump out the back of the plane into the paddock and walk back along the runway. Let's just say, I won't be in a hurray to repeat that again.

Hong Kong Disneyland

The first stop on our Summer holidays was Hong Kong Disneyland. We spent two days there and it is truly a magical place.

I think our girls were the perfect age for this park. It is geared more for the younger kids.

This summer the focus was on Lilo and Stich - so there were plenty of photo ops to be had.