Speed-counting

Last month Nicholas went for abacus competition. He's been doing abacus for a couple of years now and this is the first time he is trying out a competition.

The place of the competition was full of kids ranging from 5 years old to as old as perhaps teenagers. They were seated in an exam setting and parents were provided with waiting rooms.

Nicholas wasn't nervous at all. He was quite excited and had lots of fun bumping into friends. 

When the teachers finally finished grading the papers, Nicholas was delighted to find out that he made the top 10 in his level.  The top 10 were called up the stage and were given little trophies.

The head of the abacus school was giving fun quizzes as the teachers were grading. She basically speaks out loud of a bunch of numbers to be added together really fast and the kids had to process it in their minds or with the abacus of what the answer is.  The kids yelled out the answers within seconds of her "speed- reading" the questions. That is some kind of brain power!

Congratulations Chocholas! We are so proud of you!

Peace treaty

Here's Dada re-enforcing the peace agreement in the house.

Lost in translation

Today Dada shared a funny story about Jasmine at daycare.

Apparently when he picked her up at daycare, Sue, one of her teachers, just couldn't wait to tell him the story.

Jasmine was screaming and calling for Sue's help, and Sue quickly went to see if she was OK...but only to hear Jasmine mad while pointing a finger to a boy across from her and said "that boy keeps talking to me in Chinese!!!!".  Sue asked "Jasmine can you speak Chinese?" ... Jasmine answered firmly "NO!!!!".

Maybe Jasmine should start Chinese school soon.  :-)

Newcomer 2013

Last Friday on July 26, 2013 afternoon, Chocho and Jasmine's first cousin from my brother arrived safely fully packed with a full head of hair!  At 3.7kg heavy and 51cm long, baby Joshua Matthew is incredibly cute.

Jasmine was so excited to hear about his arrival that she mentioned it to all her teachers and friends. Nicholas wanted to skip going to summercamp (which he loves going to) just to go meet his future sidekick.  And Dada just couldn't wait to hold a light weight again.  :)

All in all we are so blessed and happy to have a growing extension to the family tree.

Father's day 2013 by Jasmine

My dad is a super hero because "he is a juggle."

His super power is "he is fast."

He is as strong as a "house."

And as fast as a "cheetah."

I am his sidekick because I help him "do the laundry."

Happy Father's day!