Mid Autumn Festival

We had the chance t o go to the Chinese Gardens for the Mid-Autumn Festival of lights this year.  It was kind of memorable because it was one of our first experiences 4 years ago when we first arrived in Singapore.  I was hugely pregnant with Ella and pushing Xander in the stroller.  My how things have changed.  The theme this year was Myths and Legends.  Below Xander and Ella are standing in front of the rabbit--it is the year of the rabbit.  Joseph and Abigail are actually the rabbits in our family though.

We met up with Cami and Craig for a hawker style dinner on the lake before seeing the lights.  We don't often tour Singapore together so I thought this was a good opportunity for a group picture.

First Day of School

The kids all started school in mid August. They were all really excited and eager to get going again. Abigail started middle school and was a little nervous the first day; but she came home super happy and said, "Mom, I LOVE middle school!"  Maggie is going by Magdalene this year in her 4th grade class.  And Xander started 1st grade.  Vinka and Conrad were there to see them off.  

There they go.  Picked up at our driveway at dawn.  

Dogs

I'm not quite sure how it happened, but we have added two American Cocker Spaniels to our family: a brother and sister named Conrad (with the brown ears) and Vinka respectively.  They are a bundle of fun and energy.  The girls all adore the dogs but Xander doesn not so much.  He is a little jumpy around them and tries to avoid them altogether. 

  Ella is constantly with the dogs and has no fear.  She is a natural around animals.  We think she will be a vet when she grows up.