Island Dance Show 8th June

Today was the girls dance show.  They've been working on their performances for a term now so today was the chance for them to perform for us.  We were all really excited about it.  The costumes turned out great - always good to have as means we have more dress up clothes !!  I think that's such a highlight - the costumes - as it's always such a fun surprise when we see what they are.

The day began at 10am when we had to be at the Y-Theatre in Chai Wan - still on HK island.  We left about 9am to collect a friend and then headed there.  The matinee show didn't begin until 1pm and went for just under 2 hours.   

Hannah does ballet so her song was "Part of this World" from The Little Mermaid movie while Victoria does disco so her song was 'Waka Waka' by Shakira (this was the anthem to the Football World Cup just been).

At home before we left for the day

At rehearsal

At rehearsal

At rehearsal with their friend Otterlie

In the theatre watching the other performers

At the theatre for rehearsal waiting for her turn

After makeup

After makeup

Both Paul and I were so proud of them.  They both did a fantastic job.  Hannah is a seasoned performer as she did it last year but this was Victoria's first time.  She did brilliantly and was probably one of the youngest there.

Here are some videos of the show.  Victoria's is of her performance but at rehearsal.  For some reason the video I shot for the actual show didn't turn out that great.  Hannah's is in the actual show but apologise for the poor quality.  I blame the lighting !!

The Odd Egg

We got back from NZ on Friday 6th May (yes, it's taken me a while to sort myself out and download photos) and there was much excitement as it meant that Monday meant school !!  Sadly, that was not to be and my countdown had to be restarted.  Hannah had a teacher only day as Tuesday was Buddha's Birthday (public holiday).  When I dropped Victoria off I asked if Hannah could come into her class to read a story.  Of course was the reply.

Hannah was most excited about it but I have to say a little person was EVEN more excited when we all turned up.  We've NEVER seen Victoria this excited before.  All the children were sitting on the mat waiting for Hannah.  The book of choice that day was The Odd Egg by Emily Gravett (fabulous children's author).  Victoria could barely sit still and jumped at the chance to sit by her sister to listen to the story (it was actually the best position to see the pictures).  We were all so very proud of her. 

Miss Jessica was Hannah's first teacher at Woodlands and she too was so proud of her.  She see how far she has come since leaving Woodlands nearly a year ago......Hannah has nearly finished her first year at primary school....(5 1/2 weeks and counting)...!!

For the love of reading...

The second one....

I'm back !  It has been a while and we're all back on track.....

May as well just start straight into it....

On Tuesday Hannah came off the school bus with a huge grin on her face - you know the one where you start thinking what's going on ?  And she wouldn't stop grinning...took me about a minute to realise that her second wobbly tooth was no more ! 

Apparently at lunch her friends (very kindly) pulled it out for her.  I would have liked to have seen it as the way she described it was rather amusing.  They had taken from the bathroom lots and lots and lots (there were quite a few lots) of toilet paper to stop the bleeding.  And there was LOTS of blood !!  She told me she was very brave but that it didn't hurt.  She was more upset that she couldn't find the tooth.  I suggested that she write a note to the tooth fairy to let her know what had happened - she liked that idea !! and was very keen.  She wrote it all herself.












The note reads "Dear Tooth Fairy, today my tooth feel out and it's lost but I know where it is.  It's at QBS school.  Please write a note back.  Love Hannah"

And her to delight when she woke up the next morning she found $15 and a note from the tooth fairy all covered in fairy dust. (Sorry can't work out how to rotate the photo as it shouldn't appear this way).

A special visitor....

It all began on the 28th Feb 2006 when you're first tooth cut through....

....such excitement at this new development.....

NOW on the 5th April 2011 it looks more like this....

And even more excitement as with this new development a certain fairy will be visiting tonight !!  We were wondering what we could put the tooth in and found this little box....it's a jewellry box in the shape of a crown with the word "Princess" on the front.

The lid had to be left open just to make sure that she knew where to go and where it was......and yes, I pulled the tooth out !!!

A summer's day.....

Well, it would be fair to say that summer has arrived !!  It was a trully glorious day here in HK today - high of 26 and low humidity - we really enjoy these days !!!  It would be fair to say that it was just a NZ summer's day - and it really is regarded as spring here !

I was wondering what to do with the girls today as it was really stunning.  A friend rang up and said that they were going to the beach and did we want to come.  I was like "Why not?" it would be a fun way to spend the afternoon, get us outside and enjoy some "fresh" air.  So after a quick lunch we packed ourselves off to South Bay for the afternoon.

I have never seen this beach so busy AND crowded !!  The weather had really enticed everyone out.  Our friends had got a fantastic spot under the trees so could sit back and relax.  The girls were in their swimmers and had the buckets and spades out before I could do anything.  The one thing I will say is that despite warm temps the water was F R E E Z I N G !!!!!  It was like stepping into a bucket of ice.....it certainly won't be like that in about 6 weeks or so.......!!  The girls noticed the cold water and were more than happy just to play in the sand or go up to about their knees.  I'm sure this is the first of many visits to come for summer 2011 !

Arriving and getting settled

Off to the water

Going into the water was the first part but going UNDER no chance !

Happy at the edge.....

Hard at work.....

Snack  time....

QBS Book Week Dress Up Day

This week at QBS it's been Book Week so they've been celebrating books and encouraging reading.  Unfortunately for post of this week Hannah wasn't able to attend school due to being sick with a gastro bug - it hasn't been much fun !!!  Friday 1st April was Dress Up day at school which meant that the children could go to school dressed up as their favourite book character.    Hannah has recently discovered the Rainbow Magic books - these are all about fairies eg weather fairies, sports fairies, music fairies etc.  Each fairy has their own book eg Fiona the Flute fairy (which we have), Victoria the Violin fairy (which we also have), Fern the Green Fairy etc.  Yes, there is a book with Hannah and that was what she decided to go dressed up as - as long as she was well enough to go.  So without further ado I introduce Hannah the Happily Ever After Fairy (which she managed to find in the school library) !!!