A date night

Todd and I got to get dressed up and have a night out last Sat. We went to a Latin Charity Ball, it was alot of fun. They had dinner and drinks at one of the hotels here. Miss Geri came to babysit and the kids made 3 bags of popcorn (the first bag burned as we could smell when we got home) Yes, I know there are no pictures of the two of us, but when you have a 4 year old as your photographer, it doesn't always work out!
We are already decorated for Christmas. The cats have a new favorite place- under the Christmas tree. They hang out their all day. When we got the Christmas boxes out, I realized that most of our decorations are in storage, so we had to make a trip to the market to restock. I was surprised at the amount of Christmas things they have here. It looks like Wal mart, I think their factory is nearby.
Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. We went to a neighbor's house for turkey. The kids had a great time and didn't want to leave. Their daughter had a ton of American girl toys and littlest pet shop things. She is in 5th grade so I told them if they were looking to sell things, let me know. They had school Thur and Fri, so Todd and I went out to lunch on Fri and then had massages together. It was really nice.
Lauren has been going to Brownie meetings and really liking it. They do really neat projects. She had to go back to the doctor (again) because she woke up Sat with another round of sores on her face from the impetigo. Her eye is starting to look a little better, but it sure is taking a while. I liked the doctor today, she was American and gave her a 10 day course of Augmentem. It just felt like what they would have done at home, so hopefully it works. Then she and I went to McDonald's for lunch.
On Monday, she has 1st communion class and tonight she gets to bring the snack, so she is excited about that, we are taking Chinese fruit snacks, oranges and pretzels. Lauren picked it out!
Not much else going on, Marshall is doing fine. They now love playing clubpenguin, which is an online game that one of Lauren's friends told her about.
I can't believe it is Dec already. One good thing here is that we don't have any commericals showing the latest toys, so the Christmas lists are short this year. I'm sure they will make up for it in the summers!
Take care everyone and we miss you!

Lauren got a haircut

We had the kids' pictures taken by a studio here. It was done at their school and it was so cold that day. They turned out really good, I think. Much cheaper than the US also. Lauren got a big haircut, and she really likes it. It does look very cute, I was afraid she would be sorry to have that much cut off, but she really likes it.
On another note, we are still having trouble with her eye. She has been to a pediatrician twice, and an eye doctor once. The eye doctor cleaned out her eye, and while she was doing it, the abcess opened and drained alot of pus. I was hoping that would be the end, but it is still red and swollen. It is better though, just taking along time to heal.
The cats were spayed/neutered and declawed. They seem to be doing fine. Lauren and Marshall are glad to have them back. So am I actually, I am starting to get used to having them around.
Marshall is doing just fine. Loves school. He always has been rather easy. Todd started his Chinese lessons yesterday. Mine are off until Jan 13th, when I will start the next level.
Not much else new. Hope everyone is doing well and have a Happy Thanksgiving. We don't have any plans here, the kids even have school so we will probably just watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and start decorating for Christmas!
Take care everyone!

Not much new

Well, not a whole lot has been going on. Lauren got her report card and got all 3's (exceeds) except for Chinese where she got a 2. She has informed me that she does not like Chinese, does not understand it, and is not going to learn it. I guess we'll see what happens. The teacher says not to worry about it, she is doing fine, but it is a mixed class, meaning she is in with all 2nd grade, some of which have had Chinese for 3 years in school already. I think she is just frustrated by it. I don't blame her, I have had 60 hours of lessons for it already and have a comprehensive test on Thur. We had a review today and it is hard.
Marshall is doing well. He still plays with Zach everyday after school and both kids like to carry the cats around all evening. I put in a picture of Marshall with Zach making smores, and one of Mia curled up with Lauren before bed. Marshall was very excited because he had his first PE class a couple of days ago. He feels like a big kid. His soccer ends on Sat, and their tennis lessons ended last Sunday. We had pictures taken of the kids by a photographer on Sat and it was SO cold. Unfortunately for them, we had most of them taken outside. I went to look at them and they turned out really well, I should have them soon. Lauren wore a red Chinese silk dress in them.
I took the cats today to get spayed/neutered and declawed. Lauren and Marshall are not going to be happy when they know this, because the cats have to stay in the clinic for 3 days.