John Paul got here

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Well, John Paul finally got here.  He was an immediate hit with his brothers and sisters.  As for John Paul, he was not shy, but definitely wanted to stay close to the parents, mainly Matt.  

He is quickly adjusting, or so it seems, and is obviously quite comfortable around people and other children.

 The play time in the pool in the front of the apartment was a sea of excitement and noise as four kids played in the pool.   Matt joined them which was a big hit.

 It really was comforting to see how well John Paul moved about, played, seemed relaxed and had fun during this time.

 Later he even played with the stacking cups with me for a bit.  He thinks it is a hoot to throw one under the table and have me bring it back to him.  Me, I prefer to watch him stack them.

And in the mean time, the big three, (yeah I try not to forget the BIG three, are three, almost five and six) are still talking with Mom.  They have thoughts to share.  For sure, Patt and I know.

 and are helping with Luke

 and this guy, right now seems to need his Dad or Mom pretty badly most of the time.  He certainly does not want them out of his sight.

Been having adventures

We had a scheduled "power outage" yesterday when the electricity was turned off, so no blog, and we left the area as options with out A/C and an open and closing refrigerator to grandparents are less than optimal.  So here are two days worth of of adventures.

Well a tea party is not technically an adventure, but the kids spent a significant part of one morning setting out an impressive table for us grandparents and served us a variety of "pumpkin-apple" dishes.  That dish has been a staple since Julianna was first setting a tea party table.

Then it was on to our daily instruction-in-life-skills sessions with the kids.  Here Lydia is working on one of the more complicated solitaire games that Patt plays (it has lots of decks, and many stacks and you play to set up suits in descending order).

 Learning this game freed up the iPad for Angry Birds (and significantly reduced fussing).  Isaac thankfully still likes his trucks and cars.

 An afternoon at the front yard pool, this is sampling of pumpkin apple pi  (spelling there is to get the south Alamance pronunciation the children have down perfectly).  I, by the way am a discerning and demanding consumer and require modification frequently.

We also had some serious diving - well almost diving.

Power outage  day —

 Then then yesterday off on a real adventure.  Riding the Big Yellow Bus (see last years blogs about my riding this bus into town for Chinese lessons - they did not do much good by the way).  However regarding the Yellow Bus, I am considered the local expert.

 This guy loved every minute.  Studied passing vehicles and had frequent comments.

 Of course there was seat changing and Lydia even slept some on the ride into town which was a little over an hour.

 in town these three were fairly inseparable.  Grandmama got to hold a lot of hands.  I got to do a little carrying.

 Posing in front of the fountains at Tienfu Square and over Julianna note the Mao statute.  About 6-8 other cameras noted this moment too.

Grabbed a coke at McDonalds -bathroom break too- then cab to lunch then on to a play land that will wear you out — note this child with grandparents.  All three about whipped .

 Not a chance would I have wadded into this sandpile.  After Isaac spent a few minutes on various play devices, rides, this is where he spent over an hour.

 Lydia and Julianna joined him.  I think you can find Lydia.  I do believe the kids are somewhat used to crowds.  Surprisingly here the kids were not photographed very much.

The ride home was quite an adventure too.  Patt, Isaac and Julianna sat in the very front seat and had great view of the driver and traffic.  -For some reason I can not post the photo but will get it later.  

Also to add to the day's adventure I left my bag the bus.  Horror — yes - iPad, keys, and hand-i-wipes-  well Julianna and I get on the next bus, Julianna explains the situation about the bag to the attendant and the driver.  they call the bus we were on—I still had my ticket and the bus with my bag was in front of us (they are 15 minutes apart) and low and  behold, the driver and attendant on our first bus found the bag, held it for us and we picked it up at the terminal.  Julianna and I got an extra bus ride too.   I really wish I had taken photos during that adventure as Julianna was a real champ for a six year old speaking to adults and such and yes I am bragging, but you will have to accept it. I am her grandfather and she surely did help out her granddaddy and I am very grateful.  

The entire day were were surely in the Lord's hands and protection.  It was just a great day. 

and then back at home still with no power so we had a candle light dinner and waited on Matt Laura, Luke and John Paul.

Well the power came back on, and a few minutes later Matt called from the airport, they were on the way.  LOTS MORE LATER

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Yesterday started with a trip to our apartment to review the clothing that Patt brought from the USA consisting primarily of Caroline and Will's hand-me-downs and a "few" items that Patt bought.  The "few" I mention happens as Patt does have difficulty passing through the children's section of department stores and other venues that offer such items for sale - and apparently there are many, all offering good deals.

 here is Isaac in "new spiderman underwear and mittens along with a previously passed on ASU shirt.

  Great enjoyment was taken in trying on and talking about the clothing.  Today Isaac is wearing the dinosaur shirt and Lydia the dress that Julianna is modeling in the photo below.

 Yesterday for lunch we went to a nearby Moslem noodle shop.  So named as Moslems form the northwest part of this country do the cooking, waitressing and I assume have the ownership.  I consider this a local version of what we in the USA would consider like eating at a Mexican or Chinese place.  It is  a "foreign food" specialty restaurant.

We went early to get a good table to see the noodles being made.  — A treat if you have not seen this being done, the dough handling is a bit of a show too, especially when there is an appreciative audience.

 Noodle eating with chopsticks is a learned ability.  (Patt did not think I should take a photo of her eating noodles — check with me — I got a good one)

Lydia is demonstrating good technique as is man in background.  Isaac is partial to the fried rice this place has.  I like several items on the menu.  We will return.

On the walk home Patt give a botany lesson on moisture in leaves.  (Insects and worms getting moisture from leaves is the segue here)

and Patt was not the only one who appreciated reading day around here.  

 You may or may not have noticed but Lydia frequently puts stickers on her forehead first thing in the morning.  Do not know why, she just does — see photos above for evidence.  This evening for some reason she thought I also needed stickers on the acreage that makes up my forehead.  I actually left the apartment and returned on an errand forgetting I had this decoration — Oh well, I am already somewhat famous as the grandfather with lots of grandchildren around here so one more attribute can not hurt.

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Yesterday morning Matt and Laura left to get John Paul which should happen today, Monday.  Here back "at home" we are having a fine time — Grandparents and grandchildren.

We came bearing gifts.  No surprise with that statement.  Here is Isaac playing with match box cars (a tow truck - oh boy!) that came from Aunt Jen and Uncle Stephen.

 And Julianna and Lydia in Fancy Nancy outfits also from Aunt Jen and Uncle Stephen.  The presentation of these outfits led into the morning activity of building "club houses" for the girls with living room and dining room furniture (missed photo opportunity there) and a fort for Isaac.  The club house came with the contents as specified in a Fancy Nancy book — Who knew?

 Our afternoon included a stretch of practicing Olympic balance beam walking along the river walk park retaining wall.

 and Julianna explaining to me that she especially liked willow trees because her Grandpa in North Dakota planted one for her.

 Evening time went well and this morning featured a very full bed.  Isaac was first so he set the literature selection - heavy with truck books, which then led to me sharing photos of my trip to a coal mine in North Dakota with Grandpa Luther and seeing and photographing very large dump trucks, bull-dozers, and excavators.  Day two is starting now and will be especially big for Matt and Laura further up north.  We are praying for them.

Patt day one — the blanket and songs

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Patt gave Luke his blanket today, Luke was, well not terribly impressed.  He drooled on it.  This is the sixth blanket that Patt has made for grandchildren.  John Paul will receive his later this week.  Julianna brought out the blanket that Matt's Mom made too, so Luke was covered in tradition there for a bit.

Lydia and Isaac shared a photo album and stories behind the photos.  Skilled listening is one of the attributes that Patt and I have honed here with the kids.  They have a lot of information to share.

and of course Patt has to read a "chapter " book.  the kids love a "chapter" book.  Patt got tired.  She has not been here 24 hours yet and her day is still completely turned around.

The "mother superior" outfit that Lydia is wearing is just exactly that —  "mother superior" or one of the nuns from the abby in Sound of Music, or Maria as a nun from the Sound of Music.  The kids  love the movie, sing the songs — Patt was sung to.  The kids especially like the song "Maria"  and "what are we going to do about Maria?, how do you catch a moonbeam ...."  They customize it too and put in their names.  For example What are we going to do about Luke,  how are going to catch his drool?"  The laugh and laugh"  and sing another verse about someone else.

"And Patt shared stories about how their Mom, with Julie, Karen, and Susan and patient Stephen watched the movie over and over, singing all the parts.  The kids like the stories about their Mom and her cousins and brother too.

all did not end well

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Ordinarily this little guy is just an all day delight, perhaps a little light on the sleeping, but certainly does engage, laugh, play, and talk (well make sounds)  a lot.  Of course he also is in training for slobber competitions later this year.

 Also he is working on getting mobile, pushing himself up and is soon going to be real crawl, crawling.

 But when things go bad, he can crumple up his face like you never saw, lower lip goes out, chin doubles down, forehead furrows, cheeks dimple, and tough curls and a deep breath is drawn.  Displeasure is expressed.

more Olympics

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we watched tape delay of the women’s team gymnastics finals tonight.  (Spoiler alert- USA gets the gold) and the whole family enjoyed it— —  way,way past bedtime.  It is as you may know quite long -- eight teams - five women per team, a bunch of events like balance beam, uneven bars, floor routine and so on.

 well bedtime eventually did get here.  and guess  who stayed with it.

 yes Laura stayed with it till the last floor exercise and vault- and Russian miscue - and USA clinching the gold with floor exercise —  some things have stayed the same over these past 30 years — not talking about the gold,here either. 

the apple does not fall far from the tree

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We are watching the Olympics!  yes indeed, the Olympics live from London.  NBC is streaming live events and we get some weird non-prime time events.  Lots of choices of events that start early in the morning in London and apparently a lot of the qualification heats do just that.  I expect later we will be watching some tape delay.  

Badminton qualifying rounds, volleyball, basketball (not USA), swimming, dressage, equestrian eventing, team handball and so on.  These events start early in London and are early evening here for us.  We love 'em.  The kids are interested in which country, especially if America, China, Russia (Isaac likes Russia -it shows up large on their world map-) Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, and a few other nations garner special attention.   , 

 Equestrian Eventing this evening was especially spell binding with the horses jumping over various fences, hurdles and such and often ridden by women (it must have been a good event Prince Harry, Kate and Princess Anne were in attendance).

 The kids got interested in watching the clock for the 83 seconds allowed for the jumping round and penalty points for knocking over a fence rail or such.

Julianna, stayed glued.  The attention span of the others waned, not Julianna's

 She agonized over lost points in dressage, celebrated finishes in the top three in swim heats, and in general really, really likes the Olympics- all the events.  She even says "oh no not another commercial" (that I think may have come from something I said?)

 Laura reminded me that in 1984, she remembers Mary Lou Retton in the Los Angeles summer games as a big star, and that she, Laura, watched the games intently - even to the point of the other evening picking up on comment I made about "Bulgarian Judges".

I do remember seeing in our attic a scrap book poster of Mary Lou of cut outs from Sports Illustrated and other magazines that Laura made.  Laura was 8 months older than Julianna is now back in August of 1984 for those LA Olympics.  This apple in these photos has indeed fallen very close to a very familiar tree.

Shao Cao

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That is a Shao Cao motorcycle(?) cart(?) three wheeled motor cart (probably) -- I need to find out what they call three wheeled vehicles because there are a lot of them, — I do not know what we would call it in English do you?  But I do know that it serves very good "street food".  This is the cart about closed up and ready to go home for the evening.

 and this is open and ready for business.  It is referred to as Chinese BBQ by at least one of the Chinese guys I was eating with.  I would not refer to it as BBQ but it is his country so he gets the call.

 a variety of meats, vegetables, fish, tofu, and other things are cooked over charcoal and coated with a variety of very hot sauces and peppers.

 Here my order only partially on the grill of mushrooms, (in the air on the way to the grill), potatoes, beef, pork green beans, zucchini, squash, and a kind of bread completed my order.  This Shao Cao cart is worth going back to and I will do a full Restaurant Review when Patt gets here which is SOON,