October Ends Daybook

 Outside My Window

The most gorgeous weather. HK at its best these days.

I'm Thinking About

The election - in 2 days.

I Don't Want To Forget 
to take nothing for granted. To soak up and fully experience every moment, no matter what life brings.

I'm Learning 

at work - The TC phonics program, various types of conferring, and NGSS science.

at home - how to parent a teenager. 

I'm Hearing

white noise coming from Alex's bedroom. I wonder how old he will be when we phase that out. Thoughts, anyone?

I'm Reading

A creepy book! I'm in a small bookclub with some dear friends here and we decided on a spooky story in honor of Halloween. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. I usually am not one for scary things (books, shows, movies... no thanks) but am stepping out of the familiar boundaries on this one. 

Nimfa loves Halloween!

Around The House

Why do the piles and messes never end? Thank goodness for our amazing 'Auntie Nimfa'. There is so much love and grace when someone pours themselves into the home, making it a happy and safe refuge for all of the people (and pets) in it. Couldn't be more grateful. 

At Work
We are full days, full time, and full steam ahead, folks. Fasten your seatbelts!

Eating

Pumpkin!! Yummmm.

So Very Hong Kong
When you need the brakes on your car checked.... it's as simple as a text to the amazing mysterious 'car guy' who arranges a mechanic to look at and repair, and return your car to its spot in the parking garage with a bill. Text message "Our car is ready." - same day. YESS!

Go Alex, Go!

One Of My Favorite Things

Living near a beach. The sound of those waves! 

A Less-Than Favorite Thing 
mold. 

I'm Thankful

For our time here in HK. For Covid being under control enough here to be "near-normal" (though I think masks and attempts to social distance will be around for a *long* time). For our three incredible children. For my intuitive husband. For Nimfa. For the best friends a girl could want. For Sunday morning runs. For this WEATHER. For yoga. For time by myself in the school dance studio. For this HKIS community of people and the way we celebrate Halloween. 

Seriously, this kind of Halloween is hands-down the BEST. What lucky kids! Rooftop costume reveal (BYO picnic dinner), and trick-or-treating along 7 floors of teacher apartments. Everyone gets in on the fun. Music, costumes, energy, and loads of happy kids with treats - all in 30 minutes. Then a romp on the playground, tuck them into bed, and grown-ups gather back on the roof for a nightcap. Brilliant.

I'm Planning

A mom-night staycation with my bookclub! 

Picture Thoughts :

roof party (masks are off bc everyone is eating)

Trick-or-Treat!

Capt'n Hook and Smee

not so into being a VSCO girl

Evie & Mal from Disney Descendents

Annual BOOK-o-WEEN costume for school

Another Hong Kong Autumn

Another fall season in HK comes to a close. This, our 6th autumn, feels familiar. The air cools down to a breezy 65-70 degrees F. The humidity all but disappears. The blue sky hangs above you. It's glorious.

And the days slide by so quickly now - with three kids in tow, it's nothing short of crazy. Don't get me wrong - we wouldn't have it any other way. Three is AMAZING. Complete. Full. Rich. Complex and wonderful. I absolutely love it. I'm just saying ... it's BUSY. Plenty busy just living and doing normal things.

Beach Time -
Weekly walks down to Repulse Bay for sand and lattes with our pals Laura & little Atticus. Afternoons at South Bay Beach chomming on french fries and looking for treasure. Taking a small sampan boat to Middle Island for exploring a quieter beach & taking in the views of our neighborhood.

Ains body surfing w/ friends at Shek O in the big waves!

looking back at Repulse Bay & our home

view from our building - the red sunsets in this polluted air are quite breathtaking

Hanging out in Stanley -

So many toddlers to play with!! School housing has its perks -

nothing like a teacher-mom birthday party!!

 

wishful thinking, bub, it's not yours

 Access to the school on weekends is pretty awesome too -

the kid can motor

look, mom! Just like the big boys!

A field trip in Tai Tam Park -

New friends - always keeping it fresh, HK, with people coming and going every year.

Our Repulse Bay Temple for a change of scenery (but so close to our house!) -

Rides on the "big bus" (pronounced 'beee-bus' by Alex) or "mini-bus" - this toddler loves vehicles!

sometimes Hong Kong is a toddler's dream

It has been a time of unrest in our city. But that is for a different post.

Birthdays -

Oldest one heads to Beijing for a school trip! She hopped a plane, used her passport, and scaled the Great Wall. All without her parents. Hello Middle School. Tether loosened.

Halloween came and went -

Thanksgiving too -

Ains was in the school play!

I ran a 5K for women -

Addie fell in love with gymnastics -

I got my girl time -

friends for life

And we had plenty of downtime too -

helicopter rescue watch

hazard of having big sisters

Someone got his first salon-haircut!

dreamy haircut chair, no?

And soon, Christmas! With trees imported from Oregon at $200 USD and short-sleeve weather, it's a different sort of Christmas for sure. But it's OUR Christmas. Traditions carry on and hold fast so we still get all the xmasy feels. 

He must've thought we were just tossing toys into the tall green thing - because that's what he started to do when he saw us hang ornaments up. 😂

diva. On the night of her Xmas Concert. :)

Feeling so very grateful to the chance to snuggle my littles during our school Christmas sing-a-long on the last day before break. Lucky.