Volcanoes, Mid-Autumn and Friends
Whether it was our recent trip or something XX has learned in geography, something triggered a few conversations about volcanoes. So we decided to make one this weekend.
The mountain looked pretty good. Boris certainly thought so and had himself a quick bite before we shooed him away.
It didn't quite explode as violently as we'd hoped, but it was fun all the same. XX added baking soda and vinegar until we ran out, and watched eruption after eruption.
It was also Mid-Autumn Festival this week. Unfortunately, I didn't read the mooncake label ingredients carefully enough so took some made with peanut oil to school. They were sent home to XX's disappointment as she'd been looking forward to serving them to her friends. Still, she had a hefty slice after school and thought it was wonderful. It's a good thing as I have enough in the freezer to last quite some time now (especially since she's the only one who enjoys them).
We read some books (which arrived a day late) and made a lantern this weekend. XX thought it would be great to make a red rabbit lantern, but had to settle for a plain paper sort. Maybe next year I'll get it all down correctly.
We did go out for Chinese food with our special friends, Chrissie and Paul, who happily put us on their road trip. It was a loooonnng overdue get-together. Chrissie hadn't met XX and I hadn't met Paul so obviously it had been a good while since she and I had seen each other.
Chrissie and I find pretty much everything humorous, even, appallingly, when it seems no one else does. As it turns out, Paul is also of this breed and, of course, so are XX and John. The five of us had a great time and can't wait to join up again, hopefully near Christmas time.
At the restaurant, XX did a great job of understanding and responding to the Mandarin-speaking server. So great, in fact, that the woman assumed I also spoke so asked me some questions in Chinese. Shockingly, I understood. I even responded in the most halting of babyish Mandarin. The woman nodded ... and kept her Mandarin directed at XX after that.
We planted some winter veggies so XX is looking forward to Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, red cabbage and carrots - orange and red. We didn't find any broccoli, but I think we'll have to hunt some down so we have the entire array of XX's favorite cruciferous crunchies. She definitely has a heart smart appetite!
The hot weather returned for a last blast of summer so we also had dog washing (after which Boris promptly went to roll in the mud), grilling and eating outdoors, and swimming.
Life is good.
