Back Again

Sorry for a week of no postings. We have still not seen our Dell repair person, but our hard drive was full, meaning no new pictures could download and Chris was busy with the computer a lot so I just did not get around to it. Well, Olympics have been over for a week but I still have pictures from our last weekend of events (track and field and baseball). I will save those for another day though and just talk about our week.

Today was the most beautiful we (or people who have lived here for many years) have ever seen here. Not just a beautiful blue sky and sunshine, but clean, crisp air. It felt like fall is coming and was without any shred of the humidity that has been with us for much of August.



We decided we could not stay inside today so after Austin's nap we got a KFC picnic and went to a nearby park, the Yuan Ming Yuan, which was the Summer Palace grounds under the Ming Dynasty. It was very pleasant and Austin had lots of fun running around and exploring. He was into every rock and lake and bridge and leaf on the ground...he is very curious these days. He also has a definite will of his own and is really beginning to test the boundaries of what Mommy and Daddy will allow. He also has had a very clingy week and is happy as long as Mommy is playing or paying attention to him and definitely NOT happy if I have to wash dishes, take a shower or basically try anything that I have to do outside of Austin. We are hoping this will not last into the baby coming, but trying to prepare for it if it (most likely) does.

Other cute things he is doing...
praying -sometimes he will stop and fold his hands and bow his head and mumble some things- usually at random times like riding down the elevator or playing outside. I usually catch "Jesus" and "thank you" among the mumbling. He also bows his head when we pray together- its really cute.

more "helping"- he likes to wash dishes now. He will stand on a stool at the sink and hold the sponge and wash his plastic bowls or spoons. He usually gets pretty wet but has a good time.

pouring- He loves to pour- anything. Pour out his toy boxes all over the floor, pour water in the bath, in the sink or just on the floor- anything that can be poured he tries. Fortunately he hasn't tried pouring out his milk or daddy's coffee or anything...yet.

Here are some pictures from our outing in the park today. The many faces of Austin.