Dragon Boat Races

Yes, we go to 2-3 Dragon Boat Race events each year. Usually we make it to two, this year we made it to all three. Each one has it's own vibe and amenities to the venue it provides.

1. One has a good view of the actual dragon boat races; does not have the greatest arrangement for watching the various cultural performances that the girls and I also like to watch; requires a bit of a drive that is generally free of traffic.

2. One provides a good venue for watching the cultural shows; does not have a very good arrangement for being able to actually watch the dragon boat races; is close to our home and easy to get to.

3. One provides a good arrangement to see both the shows and the races but is a serious PITA for us to get to.

Here are pictures the one that is closest to our home.

This year was a special treat with Mr. Tom Chung who brought a 250-ft dragon kite to fly during the day. It was a very windy day, but they did manage to get the kite in the air a couple of times for a bit of air time.

The pictures of the kite are from the festival website.

It was really amazing to see this huge kite up in the air! 

We didn't get to see any of the races. 

We did get to see several of the performances, which is Josie's favorite part. 

While watching some of the shows we enjoyed

eating some yummy mango fried rice and grilled Chicken.

Did I mention that it was really windy and Clara Rose was sporting

a super wind blown look! 

Then we were off to the crafts area-- Clara Rose, Josie and their friends Carly and Claire

all enjoy crafting, especially Chinese themed crafts.

Claire and Clara Rose also tried out the Chinese yo-yos.

There was a troupe who performed a Chinese yo-yo show and it

was really amazing to watch them. I highly recommend seeing such a show to anyone

if you ever have the chance. 

The girls and I had a great time watching the shows, making crafts, and playing with yo-yos.

It became to windy for some of the crafts and the girls brought one home--

for me to at the house.

The directions, are of course, in Mandarin and I am admittedly not the most crafty person.

I managed to figure it out.

Cute little Dragon!

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Last Outings of Summer

A recap of our last fun days in the summer--

The girls and I spent a fun evening with friends, Carly and Claire and their mommy,

running around the zoo.

Our zoo usually closes earlier in the day, but stays open late

on Saturday evenings during August.

Everyone had a great time and felt

super elated to be out after bed time-- at the ZOO! 

With August, the air temps become slightly less severe,

and we are finding ourselves going for more bike rides. 

I played hooky from work one friday afternoon

to take the girls to see a puppet band playing at Historical Mansion. 

They had a swinging good time! 

We met-up with a couple friends, Lilianna and Grace.

The girls had a fun time playing on the lavish grounds after the show--

that is, before the mosquitos chased us away! 

Playing at home with Phoebe  . . .

On our somewhat less lavish grounds. 

Josie and Clara Rose tried roller skating for the first time

at a birthday party. 

Josie lasted less than a minute.

Clara Rose did pretty good for her
first time and managed to skate

around the rink a couple times. 

Clara Rose, Grace, the Birthday Girl, and Josie. 

Now that Josie is in school, I thought

I should teach her one of my old-time favorite parts of Academia . . .

Playing Hooky!

We haven't had the greatest summer for going to the beach and this past

Friday was such a lovely day!

I really like summer, but this one-- I am kind of happy to see it go.

The weather has been unpredictable.

Josie's been stung twice-- once by a yellow jacket and another time by a wasp.

The dog managed to get fleas despite the fact that we treat her with anti-tick and flea meds.

Clara Rose seems to be a major food source for mosquitos this year,

despite any kind of bug spray we use!

The hand, mouth, and foot virus.

I am ready for deep freeze to kill off all these pests!