This past weekend we set a new record--26 people over to join us for dinner on Saturday night! Several of our western friends have just gotten back in town after a summer in the States, so we kind of had a reunion at our place. Our apartment is not exactly made to hold that great a number, so we got a little creative in spreading out to find places to eat, but the evening went off with out a hitch (as far as the hostessing aspect goes) and with everyone seeming to have a grea time being back together again. It was so sweet to touch base with dear friends, as well as welcome a few new ones to Tianjin, too. We've had Sam and Charis staying with us this past week as they are getting settled in to a new apartment here in Tianjin. After spending the past year in a different city in western China, they are moving here to Tianjin and start language study at the same school Kevin and I are attending. We have been so blessed to have them in our home this past week! As you can tell by the pictures (Eli wrestling with Sam and Noah reading with Charis), the kids LOVE having them around and have gotten super-comfortable with them! Charis and I did a run to E Mart yesterday with Hud along for the ride, and whenever she would get out of sight he was quick to ask (with great concern), "Mom, where is Ms. Charis?" He was keeping close tabs on her for certain!
The other pictures of Hud with the punching gloves on are him showing off a new "gift" he got from one of his favorite people here--Ms. Barbara. Ms. Barbara's son (now a senior in high school) had those gloves that she gave him when he was 3, and she thought she should pass them on to Hud, with the understanding that he is to share them with the other kids. I'm still trying to figure out it the gloves actually soften a blow or add more force to it when he swings, but either way, the kids are loving playing with them (with Hud and Eli most often each wearing one and swinging away at each other--with the rule of no facial punching!), and they normally end up in bed with them, too!
On Sunday, Kevin went to Beijing for the day to watch a young Chinese pitcher throw and give his coaches and agents an evaluation of his performance. He took Karis along with him, after much pleading and some pretty impressive reasoning on her part, even though he knew the day would be long. They had a good time on the trip, but definitely came back with one tired little girl, and we've heard the first complaints this week coming from her about having to get up and go to school so early! I'm pretty sure once she's caught up on her rest, she'll be bouncing out the door as normal, but for now she's dragging more than her usual (yet still comes home with a smile and great stories about her day when she gets off the bus).
Kevin and I started our fall semester this week. I have my same teacher (which I am THRILLED about, as I love her teaching style and her friendship!) and Kevin has one new one and one that he had this summer--both of whom he thinks really highly of. So we're off to a good start!
The other big news is that Hudson is (as I type) at his first morning of pre-school! We walked the 25 minutes to a neighboring apartment complex where a western friend has organized for a Chinese teacher (who also speaks English) to teach a group of 5 little 3-year olds. Our plan is for Hud to go two mornings each week, and hopefully learn a great deal (of Chinese, mainly!) in the process. When we got to the door this morning he started off hiding behind the stroller, but then emerged, was able to manage a "Ni hao, lao shi" (which means, hello teacher) and then bounded into the room at the sight of the toys and things out to play with! He didn't mind at all when Noah and I walked back out the door!
