Ryan's parents arrived safely around 1:30am Wednesday morning (11:30am Tuesday morning Illinois time) and we've been enjoying having them here. Not much happened Wednesday except to get their trip planned out, some pool time, and a quick tour of the local wet market and the school when we picked up the twins.

Yesterday was busier with a walk in MacRitchie Reservoir that turned out to be longer than we expected. It was pretty fun as we saw wild monkeys three different times. The first time we saw five or six running down the trail towards us and suddenly we're surrounded by maybe 15 of them swinging around the trees and running on the ground. We could get within several feet of them before they would run off. The only unfortunate part of the trip is that Ethan somehow got into some poisonous leaves and spread it to me where I was carrying him. He's covered in a rash and I've got it on my left arm up to my shoulder. The itching is worse than anything I've experienced before! The doctor today said that there are several varieties of poisonous plants in Singapore so it's hard to know which one exactly he came into contact with.

We ended our day with supper at Prima - a revolving restaurant (Chinese) - and an MRT ride to China Town. It's very overwhelming this time of year with Chinese New Year being this coming Sunday but it's the best way to experience what it's all about. I found a couple of cushion (pillow) covers to replace a throw pillow on my bed that was pretty ripped up. We also bought Kaitlyn a new Chinese dress and we even convinced Kenton to wear a boy Chinese outfit. It was cute and I'll have to remember to post pictures:)

Today I had a County Fair meeting and then my regular shift at the PTA Sales office so Ryan's parents struck out on their own to Little India. They have my cell phone so in a pinch they can call Ryan. I am trying to get caught up on some paperwork and then we have a quiet evening planned here at home.

Crazy

It's crazy how busy we can become in such a short amount of time! I had to shake my head today as I looked at our calendar for the month of January and see that it's FULL already! We haven't even been back a week...Doesn't take much time, does it?

The weather has been GREAT since we've returned - just like it was a year ago in January. (Right now it is 83 degrees out and breezy!) We would ask people how far it was to walk somewhere when we first moved here and they would all say, "Too far! Must take taxi!" We would shake our heads and set out walking. Well, sometime around March we realized why they would say that. Most of the year it's pretty hot and something that doesn't seem so far in nice weather suddenly becomes far!

Speaking of - we made it through the first year!! And it went fast... I was reflecting the other day about how finally nothing will be new this year. I'm actually looking forward to the Chinese New Year and the celebrations that come with it! I'm excited to be able to show Ryan's parents when they come next week what it's all about! It was fun at school the other day to be the seasoned one while the new students and their families were going through orientation. My friend Traci and I remembered for a moment how just last year that was us...funny how time flies. This time around is easier as we've learned to navigate our way around, we have learned how to find things, and we've made friends. It's a good place to be in!

Back to School

Today was the first day back for the semester. While I was sad to see the twins go I am also a little thankful since they were starting to get on each others nerves (and mine) so the peace and quiet was much appreciated! I do appreciate the time I have alone with them as I realize that they are only this little once!! Kenton was more than a little hesitant to go back (nothing new there) until he lost his first tooth right before we walked out the door. All of a sudden he was racing to school! We had late start at 10am and than I had a meeting at 10:30 for the upcoming County Fair fundraiser. By the time Ethan and I had arrived back home at 11:30 he was soundly sleeping in the stroller - something he NEVER does! He slept until almost 4:00 when I decided I'd better wake him up so he'll sleep tonight. Now, the fight to do homework with a certain boy twin every night resumes!

A Morning At The Zoo

I bet you thought I was going to say that we went to the zoo!

Little did you know that I was referring to the behaviour of three Weiss children!!






Since they were already acting like they belonged in the zoo, I decided they should take up residence there....

=P

Before you panic, those monkeys are fake and I really didn't leave the kids there, but I thought about it!

BUT, I have to say that our little foray to the zoo yesterday morning was a delightful distraction from all the fighting and tearing up the house and temper tantrums that was going on by three very tired little children:)

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This next picture was kind of funny. We could see this orangutan hanging from a vine directly over a roadway. We were curious as to why he was "hanging around" so we ventured over. What we saw gave us quite the chuckle! He was hanging directly over a truck loaded with bananas!!! Every once in awhile he'd clap his hands together as if he were saying, "I want some bananas, NOW!" He looked rather disappointed when the truck pulled away without sharing with him first:)

The white tiger exhibit gave me the chills and I tried to not have to stay long without letting the kids know why. Some of you may remember me telling about the tiger attack that happened at the zoo last November. It happened about 3 days after we had been there with Tina and Betty and it was a foreign zoo worker who committed suicide by jumping in the tiger enclosure. We have never before seen the tigers in the water in the moat that separates them from us but this time we did. I'm sure that they take swims occasionally - we had just never seen that before. They were also doing a lot of pacing and I shuddered to think that they were looking at us as lunch! So - we didn't stick around long!
The following picture is of a Proboscis Monkey. I think that this literally means "long nose." I have never seen these before so they were fun to watch. I think that every trip we have taken to the zoo we have found another little exhibit that we haven't seen before.

Of course Kaitlyn and Ethan had to hop aboard the Bed & Jerry's cow:)

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After the zoo Ethan took a long nap while I forced the twins to play at the pool for awhile. Yes, I said Forced! You would have thought I had asked them to clean their rooms the way they carried on. Too much competition with the computer and new toys from Christmas, I guess...

We finished up the day with two visits with school friends in an effort to keep them awake longer so they would sleep in later....didn't work as Kait fell asleep at 8pm, even with a friend here!, and they were all up at 5 this morning. Ethan is back in bed (at 9am) and Ryan has the twins outside for some fresh air!

I'm catching up on e-mail and than Ryan and I are headed out to do some shopping for a few things he needs for his class next week.

Hope everyone has a Blessed weekend!

Finished!

I finally finished uploading the pictures. Warning: It's quite long! To view the pictures larger click on the slideshow and it should take you to my web album on Picasa. There you can chose to view as a slideshow or scroll through them one at a time.

I have to say this - the weather has been GREAT since we've returned home! It's been unseasonably cool with temps in the mid-80's (with a low of lower 70's) which I can handle! Now, if it will only last!

Pictures

I am working on getting pictures posted from our trip home. We took over 350 so it's taking me a little longer than I thought. Stay tuned!

Home Again!

I personally do not care if I EVER see the inside of another airplane again!


We are safely back home in Singapore and I'm going to join Ryan and Ethan and climb into bed.


The other two slept quite a bit so they are awake and playing with toys...


The first song is for you, Braedon! The Pirates Who Don't Do Nothin'!