I really had a very nice week. Sadly, Monkey started 2nd Grade on Monday. But that's always exciting, he looks forward to seeing his other friends. He already told me that he likes his new teacher.
"Do you want to know why?"
"Yes, why do you like her so much?"
"Because she only has 1 rule."
"Oh, and what's that?"
"We have to be happy.. and happy with each other."
That was so cute. His teacher last year was much older and I think a bit burned out. Very quiet and he just wasn't very enthused at all through the year. If I had any questions at all, I always felt she was a bit annoyed dealing with me. He already thinks his new teacher is the greatest... so that's a good thing. She does seem very nice.
Wednesday, my Mother decided to have an English tea party for a friend visiting from Taiwan. Which is funny, she's such a goof. She gets all stressed out and tries to fancy up her little townhome. Turns on the 'English' to 100% and it's just funny. But, it was a lot of fun.. and she's so cute. And it was so great to see LC again. She has to be the sweetest lady ever. She is a teacher in Taiwan, students between the ages 6-12 or in that area. She's just one of those people you love being around, they're so positive. But I was shocked that she's 53! Pfft!! I would never have guessed that. She gave me a beautiful bracelet that she made, and I was so happy! And I gave her.. some of the things I make :) And she loved them. Here they are playing up the whole 'pinky' thing.
This is my Mother, and Step-Father.
Wednesday night I got to go out to dinner with my beautiful buddy Chalice. It was so great to see her! We went from seeing each other DAILY for YEARS.. to hardly EVER! Wretched husbands and kids keeping us busy! Let's sell them! So we had a girl's night out, and were rotten to our waiter. To the point that we had him trained to apologize when he arrived at the table, and when he left ;) It was so funny. But wow, all the information SHE had. Sheesh. I am such a craptastic friend... SO behind on what's what!! XOXOChaliceXOXOX Cheer up little buddy! And thank you so much for going out with me! I hope it was a fun late birthday evening :) I know I had fun!!
My Sister was planning to take LC to the casinos on Thursday, so I had to butt in :) She only planned it because she didn't know what else to do... pfft. I know she wanted to visit some book stores in the area, and we have an outlet in Leavenworth, Kansas which is a LOT of fun to visit! Books, books and more books. Shelves are 2 deep... piled on the floors... everywhere. You really have to spend a lot of time there. We found some children's books which had tapes with them, she loved that because the students prefer to listen to the stories being read in English. And some other puppet books and things. She wants a Barney puppet and some other stuff, so we're going to ship them later. But BOY, did it take FOREVER for me to understand BARNEY :) She said purple bunny, Bonnie. And I'm all about the bunny puppet.. and she's trying to be nice and not hurt my feelings about the bunny, but to also get me to understand BONNIE.. you know BONNIE? And I'm thinking 'bonnie lass' type of thing, perhaps a story. I was lost. FINALLY she said dinosaur, and it hit me. I sang the song for her.. "I love you... you love me..." and she got all bright eyed. "YESSSSS BONNIE!!!" We were laughing so hard. Mumsie and M finally caught on :) Of course, during this conversation, I'm telling her.. "I have a bunny! Bunny.. bunny rabbit." Ugh. No wonder she was looking at me like, "Your point? Stupid English speaking person?!" ..snicker... No, she was very sweet about it all. Those language barriers can be so tricky!!
So we had lunch at an old restaurant in Weston, MO. Bowman's Keeping Room. My brother and Step-Father met us there.. it was very nice to be with the family.
We also stopped by a very old Catholic church while we were there. It was established in 1842. This newer building was erected in 1912 or so. It was beautiful. I'm not Catholic, but I always felt as though I was missing out on something. They have some of the most beautiful and ornate churches. And I have always wanted to go into a confessional! We didn't see one there.. my sister thought it was time :) And the Holy Water.. it was on the wall.. I never know what you're supposed to do with it. But, I felt that God wouldn't mind me lighting a candle in the memory of my Aunt. My mother lit one also, and so LC came up.. "Teach me." She's so cute ;) So she paid too, and lit a candle. I apologize to all Catholics if we did it all wrong. But, we had good intentions.. and that has to count for something.
Then we basically cruised around. While in Leavenworth, we showed LC the prison there. I get scared just cruising by it, it just seems so creepy and evil.
She was impressed with our large machinery.. as was I :) And as we were leaving Weston, we noticed a little garage sale. "What is that?"... so Mumsie had to break her in :) She bought a Garfield book for her students, then made me write a story inside about where it came from... so funny.
But alas, we had to take her back to her sister. Booooo. And she goes back to Taiwan on Sunday. But I'm so happy we got to spend 2 days with her. She usually comes to town, and then vacations with her sister. So now I'm off to get postcards.. she said her students LoVE postcards from other countries, and from other children. Monkey is excited about having pen-pals :)
