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The Lyon girls spent the night with the Bishop girls on Friday night. One late night results in… Eleri asleep with Roxi during family movie night at 7:30pm on Saturday night. Emersyn asleep on Roxi’s bed Sunday afternoon. Roxi went out to play in the gardens with Eleri. Average Rating: 5 out of 5 based on 285 user reviews.
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Emersyn had her last band concert of the year. This concert included the 5th Grade Band, 6th Grade Band, MS Jazz Band and MS Band (7th & 8th). Each group played three or four songs. The concert was about an hour long – perfect!
Semper Fidelis It was an enjoyable evening of music. Average Rating: 4.9 out of 5 based on 217 user reviews.
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Eleri’s birthday celebration continues with cake at school. I know the importance of a cake at school even when you are a summer birthday. I try to bring the cake to school around the birthday party weekend. Eleri and I made the chocolate cake together on Sunday for school cake on Monday. She did most of the cake herself while I supervised. She measured, pour and mixed the cake. She even greased the baking pan for the cake. For the frosting, she likes to pour in the ingredients while I mix. She let Emersyn help her decorate the cake with sprinkles. Eleri skipped off to school on Monday. She had a new hair cut to show off and cake in the classroom at the end of the day – it was going to be a great Monday! Eleri was all smiles blowing out the candles with her classmates. Eleri’s birthday celebration is over until her actual birthday in August. Since we have had the big party (and she has no friends in America), we will celebrate her birthday at the SF Giants game on August 12. Average Rating: 4.6 out of 5 based on 255 user reviews.
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On Thursday, Eleri came home from school excited to frost her cake. I had baked the cake earlier in the day. My two beater eaters were eagerly waiting their chocolate treat. Eleri and I rolled up the pj’s for her party guests. Eleri has similar pajamas as Emersyn’s party based on which ones Uncle Andy could find on sale in size 8. We had everything set and prepared for eight girls when they arrived home on Friday. Eight girls for the eighth birthday! The Justice socks were placed in the basket ready for the girls to find an unmatch set. We used the same decorations from Emersyn’s party. In the past, Eleri has had her party first. Emersyn was pleased to have her party first for a change. I picked the girls up at school. Lili goes to school at Dulwich, therefore, I sent Mr. Nie to get Lili while the girls played on the playground. The girls enjoyed the playground for an hour – it is a great playground. When Lili arrived, I took the girls to get slushies. Then, the drive home to begin the birthday fun. The girls ran into Eleri’s room to put on their pajamas. I should have taken a photo of Eleri’s room as the girls left their clothes all over the floor – where the clothes stayed their until the next morning when the girls packed their bags. Some clothes were still there after all the party guests had left! We ordered cheese pizzas from Papa John’s. The girls enjoyed the pizza while watching the Kung Fu Panda series – new from the dvd store today. After pizza it was cake time… followed by presents time… Next, the girls had fun making hair design ribbons on Barbie. com. I ordered the special ribbons for the girls to print their creations. We settled the girls down into their air mattress beds and a movie. I had plenty of beds as I still had Faith’s two air beds from Emersyn’s party. By the time Jim and I cleaned up the kitchen, it was after 10pm. We moved to the bedroom to watch a bit of tv. When I came out to check on the girls at 11pm, half of them were already asleep. I turned off the tv as everyone was ready for sleep. In the morning, the girls were up early at 6:15am and ready to play. Jim made his crepes which they all covered in powder sugar. The girl began to play games for their morning fun. First, they played “Act it out”, Eleri’s game from Justice. Next, they played “Candyland”. Since there are only four pieces for the game, they doubled up as teams. After “Candyland”, they played “Truth or Dare”, Emersyn’s game. They were very funny. At one point, someone was to eat a spoonful of ketchup. She didn’t want to do it, so Eleri said she would do it for her. After that, they decided they should do all the dares together. They had fun! The last game was “dog Pile”. Then, it was time to go. Of course, none of the girls wanted to leave the fun. Lili stayed longer to play which was nice on this rainy day in Shanghai. Eleri was all smiles with her friends for her first sleep over party. Eleri’s party has been the first sleep over party among her group of friends – which they all loved. Birthday Recap: Gardens, Butterflies and Eleri’s Birthday Party Eleri’s Sand and Sun Birthday Party Average Rating: 4.8 out of 5 based on 254 user reviews.
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Eleri came home with art work. There seemed to be a theme to her art – Eleri! Average Rating: 4.4 out of 5 based on 296 user reviews.
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Mother’s Day began with breakfast in bed. Last night, the girls told me to stay in bed as I am always up spoiling their surprise! After the dog play date, Jim and girls made me pancakes delivered to my bed around 9:15. The time was perfect as I was starting to get restless, but I knew the dogs would run a full hour today. Eleri had a card and coupons – for hugs, kisses, clean her room, etc. Emerysn made me an imovie. She did a fantastic job pulling photos for the imovie. She did comment it was hard finding pictures with me in them…I am the one always taking the photos. For lunch, we walk to the World Financial Center (WFC). I love that the building is two blocks from the side gate. We enjoyed a lovely lunch at Din Tai Fung – our favorite dumpling place. As we were leaving the WFC, we walked by a book store. Emersyn needs a couple paper back books to take on her dive trip. The book stores are small and expensive in Shanghai. She found two books for her trip. Now, the hard part is that she can’t read the books until the trip. We told Emersyn she can’t even touch the books or she will start reading them. Eleri found a book -“365 Science Experiments”. We came home for a quite afternoon of a movie and some science experiments. It was a nice, casual day spent with my family. It was perfect! Average Rating: 4.5 out of 5 based on 163 user reviews.
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People in a village in Xundian County, Yunnan walk more than 3 KM each way to get their daily water. Concordia is collecting funds for a water system for the Village. The total water system will cost 90, 000 RMB. A group of Concordia HS students will help to install the water system in late September as part of the interim trips. Eleri came home to explain the YEP Water Project to me. It would cost 290rmb ($45) to donate one pipe 10 meters long. The Elementary school has been collecting money and putting paper pipes around the Commons. Average Rating: 4.9 out of 5 based on 154 user reviews.
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One of those Saturdays – tennis in the morning for Emersyn, Eleri had an afternoon class birthday party in Jinqiao, Concordia Idol – it all needs to be scheduled with the one car and driver! I took birthday duty to hang in Jinqiao all day (lucky me) as there wasn’t enough time to come home. Eleri and I meet Jim and Emersyn at the restaurant at 5pm. In the wind, I braided Emersyn hair while Faith painted her nails – a group effort to get her ready. I had thought it would be nice if she wore her jean skirt and a top, but it didn’t go with her song. Faith’s had the same comment about Avery in jean shorts and a t-shirt. Well, Faith and I were WRONG because everyone, including the performers, had on jean shorts and a t-shirt. We had a quick dinner before going to Concordia. Idol began at 6:30pm and we wanted a good seat upstairs. Concordia Idol is always a fun night. This night was for 5th & 6th graders. The 7th & 8th graders have their Idol night on a different date. The teachers add to the fun of Idol by taking on the roles of the judges. The host was Ms Poppell, Emersyn’s teacher. The role of Steven Tyler was played by Mr. Stone, Emersyn’s co-tearcher. Jo Lo was Ms. Torgersen, Emersyn’s 5th grade teacher. Mr. Cheverai is a 5th grade teacher came as Paula Abdul and Mr. Lewis is the middle school principal judging as Randy Jackson. This year there were 13 acts, most of them were 5th graders. Emersyn was number 10 to perform. She was singing KTV style – with no words “You belong with Me” by Taylor Swift. [quicktime]http://lyonfamily.tv/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Concordia_Idol_2012_STD.mov[/quicktime] Emersyn had so much more confidents this year at Concordia Idol. Click on the link to see 2011 Concordia Idol. Concordia Idol 2011 After Idol, the 5th/6th graders had a social in the Cafe upstairs. The Cafe was a nicer place than the gym (last years’ location) as the dance was in the commons next to the library. Kids wanting a break could come to the cafe to sit and talk. Pizza, popcorn and sodas were served. Faith, Jennifer and I were on popcorn duty. The kids all had a blast and said it was over too soon. Another fun night at Concordia! Average Rating: 4.7 out of 5 based on 193 user reviews.
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Jim had another chance to read for Papas & Popcorn in Eleri’s class. Eleri was thrilled to have Jim in her classroom. She picked out two books (favorites of mine), “Tops & Bottoms” and “Cook-a-Doodle-Doo” by Janet Stevens. Jim reported Eleri was all smiles as the children enjoyed popcorn and books. Jim poped two bags of popcorn in the microwaves in the ES Commons before going upstairs. Noticed the bandages on Eleri’s knee. She wiped out going to the bus yesterday – no tears, just a little less skin on her knees! Average Rating: 4.7 out of 5 based on 254 user reviews.
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On this lovely Sunday in Shanghai, Jim asked Eleri to go on the deck to water the plants. She said yes and skipped out to the deck. This is what happens when you send Eleri out to water the plants…fun and giggles! She made a Slip-n-slide with the water on the tiles. Then, she made “water angels”. Anyone on the deck was wet with her rocket water launch – when she let the hose go and watched it do the crazy spray. Of course, Roxi was soaked by the time Eleri was done “watering the plants”. Average Rating: 4.6 out of 5 based on 181 user reviews.
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