September 4th or 5th

The estimated dates that our electricity will be restored.

REALLY!!!???

I know, I know. . . .

There are plenty of people in worse circumstances.

No Power, But all is Well

Hi Folks,

This will be a quicky. We are all fine. We lost power around 7:15AM on Sunday and it remains out. No news regarding when it will be restored. The reports on the radio indicate that the electric company had to call as far away as Colorado for assistance. Not really sure I understand THAT, but it is what is being reported.

I am currently at work-- where there is power. The girl's daycare--just a couple miles down the road, however, does not have power- so this is a quick drop-in for me. Mostly to try and charge some essentials--like the DVD player.

The big kids were suppose to start school today, but that has been delayed until at least tomorrow.

Our biggest concern is our wet basement, due to hydrostatic pressure. No power=no working sump pump=rising water in our basement. We don't really keep anything valuable down there-- except our furnace!!! 

*SIGH*

We just contracted a company to fix this situation-- they are coming on Sept 22nd.

*SIGH*

I hope everyone else in the path of the storm is doing OK. Quite a punch for a Cat 1 Hurricane-- REALLY Thankful it didn't hit at a Cat 3.

Providing Refuge from the Storm

Early this afternoon we noticed a little, uh little,

Grasshopper

in between the storm door and regular door

of our back door.

Joise knows there is a big storm coming and so, of course, we have to provide refuge to this little critter who is, "ALL alone!"

Welome to "Bugs Estates!"

I guess s/he was hungry because as soon as we put some vegetation in the bowl

s/he made a bee-line (or should I say a Hopper-line) straight for the clover and started chowing down!

This has provided us with LOTS of conversation regarding: what do grasshoppers eat?; where do they go in the rain?; how do they keep from getting sunburned . . . .

Who needs cable or Netflix?

As long as we have Google!!!!!

Even if we lose power we will still have

HOURS of Entertainment!!!

Never fear little bug, we'll keep you safe through the storm. 

Zoo-Artsy

This was our foiled plan from last weekend . . .

Going to an event at our local Zoo . . .

At NIGHT!

I had told the girls it was cancelled when it was actually postponed-- because,

well, we were suppose to go out of town this weekend.

Since those plans got postponed--

We were able to attend this fun event at the Zoo.

All decked out and ready to go!

Just inside the gates, hanging out . . .

Waitig for the cousins to show-up!!!

Whoa! Nai Nai!!! What a GREAT surprise!

Clara Rose could hardly contain herself!

Nate and Josie kicking it around.

The Artsy part of "ZooArtsy."

Several people dressed like various plants, statues etc.

Pretty cool . . .

But the younger crowd was fairly leary of these unique creatures.

Clara Rose agree to a quick pict with Jie Jie and Nai Nai.

This lovely tried quite hard to make friends with the girls and Nate . . .

To no avail.

This Golden Girl was Nate's fave!

A lovely mermaid!

The little girls, as  mentioned, were quite, Ummm. let's say cautious with all the living statues,

Until . . . .

The bow and arrow; the stance. Kinda scary!

Doncha think?

Tthey all went running!!!!

Straight toward him!!!

Nate wanted the bow and arrow-- the girls all giggled and giggled.

Meahwhile, we heard a trampling sound!!!

Wow!

The Giraffes were running all over the place!

Seriously!

Galloping!

Josie and Nate thought it was soooo cool to see the giraffes running.

Photo OP!

Not the greatest picture-- this is a potted plant person.

Another living statue-- the younger crowd was getting accustomed

to te living statues at this point in the evening.

Another photo OP!

Taking a little break from all the walking and exploring.

The big topic of conversation-- Nate and Josie telling Emily and Clara Rose that they (Nate and Josie) are bigger and they (Emily and Clara Rose) are smaller.

Finishing off the night . . .

More living statues.

Jie Jie wanted a picture with the Statue of Liberty.

Lastly, back at the entrance. We saw this butterfly when we first arrived, but the little folks were slightly freaked by her.

They were happy to see her as we exited and took a moment for one last Photo OP.

C'mon Irene!

I am officially tired of the weather!

This is the the third . . .

THIRD(!)

weekend in a row that bad weather has spoiled some seriously fun weekend plans!

Me and the girls had plans to go out of town this weekend with Nai Nai and meet-up with other family members-- most notably, the girls' cousins, Nate and Emily.

Then-- Along comes Hurricane Irene.

Isn't there a song, "C'mon Irene?"

I seem to recall dancing in a circle with several other people on a table to this song.

That was back in my fun Grad school days.

Hmm, I think I'll stop there since this is a public blog.

Josie was sooo disappointed-- when I told her the trip was being postponed.

I can't stand it!

Really-- tears and the whole works.

It was a HUGE boo-hoo!

Then Clara Rose started crying-- because of course . . .

Josie was crying.

I almost started crying too!

So, we did lunch at Taco Bell followed by a little bit of retail therapy later in the afternoon.

Tonight we have the big finish.

Chicken Fries and french fries coupled with lemonade for din-din.

The girls made a picnic of it in our living-room.

Next up-- assembling my backpacking tent in the living room.

Josie helped gather pillows to make a nice soft spot in the tent.

Next we filled the tent with their favorite cozies and lovies.

I've been saving this DVD for a special occasion and this seemed to be a fitting moment.

Oh Yeah!

Don't forget the GOODIES!!!

Snuggled in the their cozy tent with yummy treats and a good cartoon movie!

Mommy's turn!

I'm soooo pooped!

More to come over the next few days.

I've ascribed to a no-disclosure policy.  Everything is weather dependent and I have back-up plans.

Every day is going to be another big surprise.

I may not survive this weekend, but my little girls are going to have a GREAT time!

Dragon Boat Festival

This past weekend our family joined a few other families for a fun trip to an
Asian Festival and Dragon Boat Race!

We started the day with some face painting.

 I was a little surprised-- this is the very first time that Josie actually went through with letting someone paint her face. Usually she changes her mind just before she gets to this spot.

She looks a little unsure about it doesn't she?

 Oh Wow! A Princess Pony face with glitter and everything!

 Next up-- Clara Rose!

 Of course she wanted exactly the same face as Josie!

 Next we enjoyed several performances while eating yummy fried rice dishes.

 Two friends of the girls almost stole the whole show-- dancing around the court yard.

 We ventured down to the water front where the dragon boat races were on-going throughout the day.

Jie Jie giving Clara Rose a lift to see the river.

 Some of the boats off in the distance heading toward the finish line

where we are standing.

 A close up of one of the dragon boats.

Me and the girls, sweltering in the humidity!

 Me and the girls with a few of the families from our local Chinese adoption play group.

We have all become good friends-- the moms as well as the girls!

Josie and Clara Rose asked to walk up to the bridge that overlooks the river and the finish line for the dragon boat races. So off I went with the girls.

We watched a couple more races from the top of the bridge.

It was super windy on top of the bridge!

I am not really sure what Clara Rose was doing!

Josie thought all the wind was fun!

 It was definitely cooler up here than next to the river!

And let's not forget our fearless shirpa-- once again providing us with safe travels to and from our desired destinations.