Piano Recital

Today Abigail and Samuel took part in their first piano recital. We had mentioned to their teacher that it would be lovely for her to hold a piano recital for all her students, and that it would be possible to have it in the church because she didn't have anywhere else to have it. She took us up on the offer. It was a real pleasure to be a part of. Samuel and Abigail both played 2 pieces of music that they had chosen (along with some guidance from Eleanor, their teacher).

Sam - playing his pieces.


Abigail- playing her pieces.



At the end of the recital, after having some refreshments, each child was given a certificate of accomplishment, a music medal, and their end of term report.


The really FUN bit about this was that we were able to hook up a SKYPE call to my mom in China so that she was able to watch the children perform in the recital. She had a front row seat!!! The recital started at 3:00pm our time which meant it was 10:00pm in China! Isn't it amazing how we can interact even when we are so far apart!!!

Rooftop Garden

Here's a few shots of my 'garden'! I'm growing potatoes and corn as well as a some flowers in the window boxes.

The corn was started (about 6 inches high) before I re-planted them. The potatoes I have grown from 2 potatoes that started sprouting. The window boxes have been grown from seeds (I forget what I planted...I think there's lavender in there somewhere!)



Sam is excited because some of the flowers are supposed to 'attract wildlife'. I'm not sure what kind of wildlife he thinks will be stopping by our window boxes!

Welcome to the family...

Our new niece was born on Monday 22 June. Her name is
Norah Claire Bates,
and she is gorgeous!

I am especially excited that another girl has been born into the Bates Family - growing up I was the only girl amongst 3 boys - I feel that my brother's are getting their 'just desserts'!!! They weren't horrible brothers at all...just really big BOYS! (You know... football, wrestling, baseball, computer games kind of boys!) I love that they have had or will have to play with dollies/barbies/tea parties!!!! All three of them have had girls as their first born, and now another girl is added to the number! I'm just a bit sad that my girls don't get to see their girls often enough!!!

You can see great photos of her and the rest of her beautiful family @
www.we4bates.blogspot.com or just click on 'The Bates Family' link on the side bar.

Happy 6 month Birthday, Levi!!!

Our baby is 6 months old already!!! I can't believe it! Time just flies by when your having fun!!
Levi turned six months old yesterday (17/06).This is what he is up to:
* Sleeping from 7:30pm - 6:30am (He doesn't wake up crying so often he will happily lay in his cot chatting to himself or his brother Sam until 7am)
* He takes two - 2 hour naps in the day and a short cat nap before dinner. He loves his sleep!
* I have no idea how much he weighs!!! The baby clinic is only on Tues/Thurs afternoons - first come, first served. That is right in the middle of Aleah's naptime so I only go when necessary (ie. injections etc) Really- who wants to take a sleepy, grumpy 2 year old (almost 3) to the Doc's office to sit around and wait if they don't have to!?
* He can just about roll over, he loves being on his feet (baby walker/ when you hold him), and is starting to show an interest in trying to sit up.
*His best play things are his baby gym, and the walker...AND Samuel making funny faces at him.
* He is currently having solid foods at breakfast and dinner, and seems to really enjoy it!
* All his hair has grown back and it looks like he's going to be a blond haired blue eyed handsome little boy!


When we were discussing the fact that it was his 6 month birthday yesterday, the other children had great pleasure in realising that they all had a 'month' birthday this week. Abby - 10 yrs 9 mos Today 18/06
Sam - 8 yrs 4 mos Tuesday 16/06
Aleah - 2 yrs 11 mos Monday 15/06
Aleah then thought that it was truly her birthday and she should be given presents and sung to all day!!!!

Great Bunch!

Just had to share this picture! We think it's a good 'snapshot' of all the kids and their unique personalities! Isn't God awesomely creative with how he makes each one of us different! HOW GREAT THOU ART!

Washing Piles!

This one's for Kelli! Last week or so you posted your laundry pile and challenged all who saw it to do the same. I was fortunately at that time to have fought that battle and won...this week is a different story! Here's my laundry pile...



Here's what it looked like 40 minutes later...