Soccer Tournament

Last Sunday, Kyra participated in a soccer tournament hosted by a school in Discovery Bay, which meant an hour+ bus ride...but beggars can't be choosers and Kyra wanted more actual "games" in soccer than what has been offered here in the past. So, they are making great efforts to find more "game" opportunities for our girls to play against other teams, so she was excited for the opportunity.

It was a scorching day of heat and humidity, but I know Kyra had fun. Our school had five teams participating, one Under 8s, two Under 10s and two Under 12s. Kyra was very excited that her Under 10s team "won their age bracket." Despite the fact that even I was dripping wet by mid-day and all I was doing was watching and cheering, it was a good day! Smiles, for any reason, makes for a good day! I think her scoring three goals in one of the games may have contributed to that smile also.

First Swim Meet of the Year

The kids had their first "swim meet" of the year. Throughout the year, the team hosts practice meets so that the kids can work on beating their best times. Today was a Super Saturday meet and was Tyson's first swim meet ever. It involved a lot of waiting between races because the meet was for all levels of swim groups, but otherwise the kids had a great day of races. Trey and Kyra both swam 200 Meter Freestyles as well as a 100Meter of their choice and 50 Meter of their choice. Tyson did a 100 Meter Freestyle and 50 Free and 50 Breaststroke. They did awesome of course!

The video is of Tyson's 50 Meter Freestyle. His time on the clock showed 55 seconds, but actually was 53 seconds after the timer did a self-correction. Yeah Tyson!

"You're Two Short"

Well, we are in the swing of things with school starting here a couple weeks ago and each of the kids is in the midst of getting to know their new teachers for the year. I have to share a story about one of the kids' teachers this year that still gives me a chuckle, although Kyra does not share my humor and I'll explain a little bit why.

I think (and it is just my opinion) that our dear Kyra falls into the category of a "teacher-pleaser" but does not like to be in the limelight or have the attention on her. She generally has loved all of her teachers up to this point, both at Eden Lake Elementary and now here in Hong Kong...and the love has been mutual, which has made for wonderful school experiences. I do believe that ultimately this year will be no different, but she has not exactly come home beaming in the face yet...in fact, has come home wishing her last year's teacher "looped" with her :)

Anyway...her teacher this year happens to be a bit shorter in height than average. That being said, this is the story Kyra came home with one day...

"I finished my writing assignment first today and so my teacher asked me to hand out folders to everyone in the class. She wanted me to save a couple folders for her as well, so I ended up running short of folders. So, I went to my teacher and said "you're two short"...she said "what did you say?" so I said it again "you're two short"...looking a little mad she said again "Kyra, what did you say?" so I kind of sighed and repeated AGAIN..."you're two folders short" after that she laughed at me and told the whole class what I said. I was so embarrassed." Kyra was obviously upset, but couldn't help my chuckle at how funny that obviously came out.

I have to admit that I love these little "snippits" of life that make me laugh...especially when there is so much big stuff in our lives to get bogged down with.

Keely's 4th Birthday..."Princess Style"

Our youngest daughter, Keely, celebrated her 4th birthday on August 23. All she wanted (and repeatedly asked for) was a "princess dress" that she had seen in the market one day and a "princess umbrella" so that she had her own protection from the two weather elements...pouring rain or beating down sun. Well, I knew where the dress was in the market and that was a simple enough purchase and we were more than happy to give it to her. However, it took me a little more effort and a couple different markets to find the princess umbrella. And as most children do, I thought she would enjoy opening just a couple additional gifts as well... While in the market searching for the umbrella I came across a 3-wheeled scooter (princess, of course) and knew she would love it as she had seen some in Target over the summer and I informed her we couldn't buy one then because we wouldn't be able to take it back to Hong Kong with us. After receiving her princess dress and umbrella, she said "this is the most exciting birthday ever" although I'm pretty sure she doesn't remember any other birthdays up to this point. So I told Keely we had one more surprise for her and upon opening it she replied (with dramatic flair) "Oh...this is just too much!" Yet, she readily accepted her additional gift! :)

Congratulations to Tyson!

So, we now have three members of the Hong Kong Island Stingrays Swim Team in the family. We are so very proud to say that Tyson tried out for the team this past weekend and was issued an invitation letter to join the squad. He is very excited and we are VERY proud. Trey and Kyra were so fortunate to participate in an international swim meet in Taiwan last year. It looks like the team will be heading to Singapore this year. What an amazing experience that will be for a 7-year-old! ... not to mention the 9 and 11-year old as well!! :)