The Muppets!

Saturday is a good day to celebrate a birthday, so we headed to the Pavilion, where we went to Chocolate Lounge and had a lunch with some of Gabi's friends.  Then we got to see the Muppets - which we can highly recommend and all gave 5 stars!

At one point that was slightly scary, Gabi ended up in Jennica's lap.  So cute!

This is our best shot at a family picture. . .Our family is growing up. 

Jennica Arrives!

How absolutely wonderful to have Jennica arrive from Australia/Finland.  She spent a summer with us in the States in 2005, and we've kept in touch and now finally reunited.  Funny that the distance between Sydney and Kuala Lumpur is about the same as Finland and Indiana - but somehow it seems like a shame not to connect if we are not in the same area. 

It was so fun to hang out and her about her work and neat opportunities in Sydney. She even came along with our family to celebrate Gabi's birthday on Saturday.

Christmas Performance

How fun to get to see Rania's Christmas performance.  The entire class (kindergarten) did some songs and some dances and performed for the school, including Gabi & Reeve, who were in the audience.  The next day they performed again for a special audience of parents.  It was a fun performance to see.

Daddy got to see the first performance, and mommy was able to find a break in her schedule to see the second performance for parents.  

Sad to think this will be the last of the Kindergarten performances.  Our kids are growing up right before our eyes! 

Rania even had a performance on the big screen as she told about life for the elves at the International School of the North Pole.

Early Birthday Present

Grandpa Woodward gave Gabi an early birthday present - the chance to have an introductory riding lesson at the Polo Club in Kuala Lumpur.  It was quite an experience as Gabi had to sit up straight, learn the terminology and practice all of the technique -- all with a helmet that didn't quite fit perfectly!

We're not sure if formal English riding lessons are the best thing for Gabi, but she sure does love horses!!

And thanks to Grandpa Woodward for the opportunity to ride horses at the Polo Club.  That's quite the early birthday present!

Advent Reading

Our family read the Advent reading for Sunday's early service at St. Andrew's.

Then off to the Pavilion for a movie (Arthur Christmas), some fun, and even a family picture! As always, the Pavilion was beautifully decorated.

Scottish Dancing

Gabi's after school activity of Scottish Dancing culminated with their performance at the a ball in Kuala Lumpur.  They were one of the opening acts for the St. Andrew's Society (no relation to our church!). 

We took Gabi and Henry over for the rehearsal, which was at the Marriott on the other side of town.   Then Henry's parents took them for the evening performance.  

In the afternoon, Rania found a new friend - and they had fun playing in the lobby overlooking the city while Gabi and her team went through the rehearsal in the ballroom. 

That evening, we heard rave reviews of the performance! And wow, did the pictures show that Gabi sure looked the part too!

The kids were beaming after such a bit performance! 

Mommy time

Choir Concert

Gabi had her choir concert, and how fun to watch her sing and perform.  The band and gamelon groups also had performances, but the Waka-waka theme from South Africa 2010 World Cup was a big hit.  It was a flurry of motion and dancing.  Fun times. 

Gabi has sure enjoyed all of her after school activities this year.  In addition to choir, Scottish dancing and iClay (making clay figurines) were her other activities this semester. 

Movembeard

It was nothing like the big event of last year, but Doug decided to do his part to raise awareness for cancer research, especially prostrate cancer. 

After a very itchy and scratchy month, FINALLY, a chance to shave!