First Snowfall of the Season

came today and the kids couldn't wait to get out there. They missed seeing snow last year, so this was a special treat. We tried to convince them that there will be plenty more coming soon. Ahh... to be a kid again and to actually like snow!









Yesterday, November 15, we went to Jackson's Michigan Theatre to see "The Encounters at the End of the World - a documentary about the scientists in Antartica. Fascinating and the kids were in awe at the scenery. The Michigan is one of those majestic theatres from the 1920s that's currently under restoration. 1.5 million dollars has already been put into it and there is a lot more work to be done. But the grand lobby and the work that is done is simply beautiful. One can just imagine the crowds from the Thirties and Forties enjoying "the picture show" on the big screen.

A Saturday with Friends

On November 8, C. and E. met their friends at the Kids N Stuff Museum in Albion for some fun. Here are some highlights:


They had a blast with countless costume changes.

GuateTOTS no more...now GuateKIDS!! E. and C. with Yensi (just turned 6) and Nicolas (almost 7).

The little drummer boy!

The girls enjoying one of the quieter activities.

The water table is always a hit. That's Nicolas' brother Alex in the foreground.

"Trick or Treat!"

These little magicians had a wonderful, warm early evening for collecting a big ol' bagful of candy.

Our Future Spartans

On Sunday mornings, C. and E. attend the MSU Chinese School in East Lansing. It has been a smooth transition to Mandarin again. It's a very impressive program.

Before class - outside of Bessey Hall - alongside the banks of the Red Cedar. Maybe in 12 years or so more photos will be taken during dorm move-in day! (If not here, I'll settle for another Big 10 University!)



Waiting for class to begin: E. is in the K level and C. attends the first level.

Gymnastics and Soccer

are the two activites that keep us busy on Fall Saturdays:





Coach Gustavo preparing team Galaxy for the opening game:

The Big Day - September 2

We were all excited on this first day of school! (Although C. looks like he's not so sure about it.)

To the bus stop: (C. is still not quite sure...) and Elena couldn't stop smiling.

Waiting with Papi: The bus comes early - at 6:45 am and it's still dark.

Our baby happily going off into the big, bad world...alone!

Enjoying our first morning of freedom in a long time! It was almost as if we were at Salvador's in Kunming once again...

Final Days of Summer Vacation

On one of the remaining vacation days we visited Impression 5 Science Museum in Lansing:





Shortly after this picture was taken, I dropped the camera! Arrggh!! Turned out to be quite an expensive fieldtrip!