We are staying rather busy and the time is passing very quickly.  I've not been grabbing the camera as much as I used to, but here are a few times I did.  Gracie continues to love school and Zach is coming along really well with our lessons together.  I still substitute from time to time, and he enjoys spending time with the other kids too.  With that being said, here are the pictures.

Gracie wanted to make a chocolate cake, but I was out of cocoa so she compromised by making a yellow cake with buttercream icing.  She did this completely on her own, with me merely supervising and answering her questions.  I take that back, I think I made the icing.  Anyway, she used the cute silicone shapes Mimi sent her back when we were still in Japan.  If anyone can tell me how to keep it from sticking to the pans please let me know.  So far we grease and flour them, and that isn't doing the job.  Regardless, her cakes were quite tasty.  We used a recipe that is over 100 years old, so an oldie but goodie.  Of course, a bit of buttercream icing ended up sending icing all over the place when she was trying to eject the beaters.

 Moving on, we have added a trip to the circus here in Astana.  The picture below is taken from this site, and you should definitely check it out.  We were in a bit of a rush to get in since we were making it just in time to catch the opening act.  As it turns out, we had quite a bit of difficulty getting a taxi to bring us here.  The second cab driver actually unbuckled Charlie's seatbelt!  I had quite the chuckle over it, but luckily we made it just in time to find new seats since our seats were occupied.  Luckily, the usher eventually booted us, and then booted the people in our seats which were just across the aisle.  Making memories!  Anyway, we had a good timed and it was Zach's first trip to any circus.

 This clown was very entertaining, just as clowns are meant to be.  

 This was our first seat before we were booted.  

 This guy was REALLY strong!

 During intermission this band performed live.  Very nice!

 Gracie waiting patiently for Charlie to return with cotton candy during intermission.  

 Zach and I taking a walk while Gracie is at school.  Sometimes he likes to ride facing backwards.  I doubt he can see much with the high snow on the sides.

 Little dozers are often piling snow that is then removed by these trucks.  Sometimes the piles are taller than me.

 Gracie takes Taekwondo now.  The sensei comes to the school twice a week for students that enrolled and we found out we could purchase uniforms.  Here Gracie is sporting her new uniform.  Zach is eager to start in the fall.