Big Girl Bed

Since Gabby figured out how to crawl out of her crib, we had to quickly make the swicth into a big girl bed. For some reason, I was dreading it but it's going okay. The first time we put her down for a nap, it took us over an hour to keep in her in there but now things have settled down. She loves her big girl bed and asked me to take this picture of her last night. I think she's really proud of herself.

Holiday Letter 2009

December 17, 2009

Ni hao friends and family,

As always, Travis and I hope this letter finds you and your family happy and healthy this holiday season…

Here are some of the highlights of our year:

Hong Kong and Disneyland: At the risk of sounding like a complete cornball, I got a little teary-eyed when we entered Hong Kong Disneyland… the music, the smells, and the excitement in the air… It’s one of the best things about having a kid… you get to re-visit your childhood. Anyway, the park itself is nothing to brag about. Travis and I found it to be a bit small. The best part was the Lion King show. We also spent some time on Hong Kong island, which was terrific, and the harbor is gorgeous (see picture on the holiday card). We have some friends that live nearby so we spent some time with them. It’s quite expensive so we didn’t do a lot of shopping but we enjoyed the scenery and our swanky hotel. We splurged and stayed at the Conrad Hilton because they had a two-for-one deal. Kowloon island was also really cool… lots of bright lights and neon signs. We only spent one night on the Kowloon side but enjoyed walking around and eating the street food.

Xian and Terracota Warriors: Dorothy and Alex (our friends from Bremerton) visited in March, so we decided to all take a trip to Xian and see the famous Terracota Warriors (see picture on Holiday card). Yes, this is a tourist trap of sorts, but for me, I thought they were fascinating. A farmer who was drilling a well in 1974 came across the statues. They were first constructed in 246 BC and each figure has its own unique facial expressions, which is why they’re so amazing… Can you believe how long they were in the ground for? The best part of Xian was walking around the Muslim area of town. Travis and Alex walked the city wall and back alleys of the city. There was a gorgeous mosque there and we saw some men praying. Gabby first learned to use chopsticks on this trip, well kind of…

Summer: Travis and I both love Washington State in the summer time… we enjoyed our time with family and friends and soaked up the record breaking temperatures. In June, we took a road trip with our friends Beth and Josh Zarling (and daughter Harper) to Yellowstone. There is so much to do there! The highlight for me was seeing “Old Faithful” (see picture on Holiday card) and driving around looking at all the beautiful scenery. Gabby also liked Old Faithful and one of our funny memories was her saying, “Come on, geyser!” when we were waiting for it to erupt. I’m sure Travis’ favorite part was all the interesting Geology of the area and learning how to fly fish from Josh.

Travis: He’s doing great and is still teaching grade seven math/science. He’s also the team leader and science department head. He achieved a life goal of learning to play the guitar and played at a small music festival in Beijing last Spring, called Rhinostock. He also started playing saxophone again after a 15 year break. A teacher band invited him to play with them on the Rolling Stones song “Brown Sugar.” After their first practice he was invited to join the band. They are called Zuo Gao Su which means “Take the Highway” and play at local pubs once or twice a month. They have a great time and play some good music, like Fleetwood Mac (personal favorite), Steve Miller, and Rolling Stones.

Cara: I’m still a grade 9/10 school counselor. I have new colleagues this year and they’re great. I went to Jakarta, Indonesia in April for a conference on the ASCA school counseling model and how to incorporate it into an international school setting. I had a fabulous time! I really like meeting other counselors and the networking aspect, and I have to say… it was nice having some “me” time. The best part was getting a “hair bath,” which is where they wash your hair and massage your head, neck, and shoulders for about an hour… It was awesome- my hair never felt so healthy. Being a mommy keeps me busy and I really enjoy spending my time doing things with my family...

Gabby: Where to start? The changes are so fast and furious that it’s hard to keep up with it all… Gabby will be two and a half on December 28th. She’s attending junior pre-school twice a week across the street. We’re really happy with the school and she loves it! It’s a bilingual program so she is learning both languages, in addition to Kung Fu, Kindermusik, art, and tons of other things. The biggest change this year is that she’s talking. Right now, she loves the Snow White story and tells me that the “mean lady” gave Snow White a bad apple and said “ha-ha-ha!” It’s so funny. She loves to sing, dance and dress-up in “pretty dresses.” She likes to help me cook, enjoys being read to, and is now sleeping in her big girl bed. Gabby is super tall, in fact she’s off the chart in height. I’m just glad that she is healthy and happy… If you recall from last year, she was diagnosed with Celiac Disease (can’t eat wheat, rye, or barley) which has been a challenge but I’ve done lots of reading about it and she is going to be just fine. I love this age and I wish I could just bottle it up. I don’t want her to grow up anymore!

Next Up: We signed-on for another school year in China, so the clan will be here at least until June 2011… not sure of our plans after that… we just go year-by-year… We’ll be visiting Travis’ brother Toby, his wife Debbie, and their boys in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) during Chinese New Year. We just had an awesome time visiting with them on their trip to China. They stayed with us for the week after Thanksgiving. They visited the great wall, Forbidden City, temple of heaven and many other sites. It was great for the cousins to play all day long as well. It was fun to show them around and share our lives with them, we can’t wait to see how they live in Dubai. For spring break, we’ll be traveling to the Philippines for a teacher conference and will spend a couple of days in Boracay (one of the hundreds of Philippine Islands), which is known for their amazing beaches. Winter is cold in Beijing so it’ll be nice to getaway to some warm countries.

For this winter break, we’re off again to Washington to spend it with family and friends. We wish everyone a safe and FUN holiday season and have a Happy New Year!

Warm Wishes,

Travis, Cara, and Gabriella Tebo

Gabby's Weekly Newsletter 12/7-12/11

Winter Performance
The Kangaroo class practicing their song and dance number “Ying Yue Jia” and “Mr. Sun” for the winter party.

Gabby's Buddy, Emily, or "M"

Emily is Gabby's first real friend, besides her adorable cousins, and it's so fun watching them play. They get along really well, so the parents can talk and have fun. They get so excited when they see each other. It's pretty cute. Here they are picking out some flowers... I was super sick that day so they gave me some roses to cheer me up.

Gabby's School Newsletter 11/30-12/4/2009

Arts and Crafts
Christmas is just around the corner and to prepare for the festive season, the class talked
about Christmas and colours of Christmas. For arts & crafts the Kangaroos made a hand printed Christmas wreaths, Santa’s hat & Snowman picture.




Letter of the week: Jj
This week the Kangaroos enjoyed making different shapes with Red & Green coloured Jell-O using cookie cutter. Best part was eating the Jelly for snacks

Jellybeans Jumping Jj, Jj, Jj Jellybeans jumping Jj, Jj, Jj Jj is the sound of JJ

Winter Ball 2009

Here is the sexy Tebo couple. I wore this dress last year too because I was too lazy to get another one made this time.

Velora, me, and Kamara (she took this herself). Velora is enjoying some Jello-o shots that Ray made.

Ray and I (I took this myself)

Big group dancing... look for Travis and I in the back

Awww, the Cara we all know and love... you know how much I love my people! Not sure what Michael is pointing at?

The ISB Winterball... otherwise known as an adult prom... is a swanky event where the whole staff dresses in tuxedos or fancy dresses- eats, drinks, dances, and is merry. We stayed at a 5 Star hotel that overlooked the Beijing Olympic Game site and I have to say... it was really cool. I had a blast until I started feeling feverish... we ended up leaving early and I had a 104 degree fever that night. I stayed in bed the next day and missed two days of school... I was hurtin' for certin'.

Toby, Debbie, Stuart, and Wesley's Visit to China

Travis and I are so sad that the other Tebo family is leaving... we had a fabulous time. We played a lot of board games, ate yummy food (including a dinner catered by Chef Song) and just caught-up on everything. It was good sharing our "Chinese life" with them... Which includes ayis, cold weather, foot massages, bad drivers, pollution, cheap food and beer, our friends, and work. It was so nice watching the kids interact...not share and share toys, hit, tickle each other, dance around (I got some great video of that!), whine, and sneak out of bed. They ultimately are friends in the end... I especially liked seeing them cuddle up on the couch watching a movie. Wesley was such a trooper! He just ran around with a smile on his face. They're both wonderful boys and Travis and I love watching them grow. I really can't wait to see Gabby's other cousins (Emerson and Langston) and see how much they've changed!

I believe the Tebos had a good time. They did some shopping and got some sweet deals- Toby bought a pair of knock-off prescription Ray Ban sunglassses for 20 bucks, which was cool. They visited the usual (but awesome) "you've got to go" tourist places, such as the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Temple of Heaven. They even went on a rick-shaw ride around the hutongs (villages) and visited a courtyard house. We haven't even done that yet!

Happy Thanksgiving 2009!

It was a crazy but fun filled Thanksgiving Day for us in China! Toby, Debbie, and their beautiful boys flew from Dubai to Beijing... We haven't had family (besides our overseas family) for Thanksgiving in five years so this was an extra special treat. I can't express how great it is to see them! Wesley is walking now and when I picked him up, he just cuddled me and laid his head down... melted my heart! Stuart is becoming such a big boy and is so sweet with Gabby... they are like two peas in a pod. It was a bit of a rough night, though... Gabby's room is pretty big, so it can easily fit her crib and big girl bed, which is what Stuart is sleeping on. We don't have a lot of space so this seemed like a practical solution... Gabby was being really naughty and kept climbing out of her crib. Travis overheard Stuart tell Gabby to go to bed... one time I opened the door and Gabby was completely naked and they were both taking things out of her closet. This went back and forth for awhile. We also caught Gabby in Stuart's bed a couple of times... Poor Stu just wanted to sleep! FINALLY, they fell asleep... but geez- that was work.

Although there were lots of other special people missing, we had a fabulous Thanksgiving... The kids ate macaroni and cheese and the adults ate... what else? Chinese food.

What I am Thankful for this Year:
1. My friends and family are in good health
2. Gabby is becoming such a wonderful little girl and is healthy and happy
3. Job security
4. Having the best husband in the world
5. My best friend, Beth (and Gabby's guidemama) is rad. She has an awesome sense of humor and has an uncanny way of picking me up (via email) when I am down... She does cool things that make me feel special (care packages, birthday cards, etc.) and I'm really grateful that our friendship has blossomed, even though we live so far away and don't see each other that much. 

End of an Era

Gabby figured out how to crawl out of her crib. I was hoping we could do the "big girl bed" thing after winter break when she's 2 1/2 but we may need to do this sooner. Last night, she got out about five times, including twice in the middle of the night. That sucked! The first time she got it it was 1o minutes after we laid her down, she just opened our bedroom door and said "Hi!" It scared the hell out of me! I was just laying there watching TV... Our bedroom is on the top floor, so she just walked up the stairs like the little girl she is becoming... I couldn't believe it. She is really growing up! I put her back to bed and then listened at the door... I caught her in the act! She just puts her legs over and jumps off. Not a big deal to her, I suppose. Needless to say, I'm really tired today. It would be so easy just to have her sleep with us but we are being strong! Toby, Debbie, and their boys will be visiting us this week (on Thanksgiving!) so Stuart will sleep in Gabby's big bed, and after he leaves, we'll do the whole "big girl bed" thing... not too excited about it. I guess I like the confinement of the crib too much.

Gabby's School Newsletter 11/16-11/20

Gabby was the Star of the Week!
* Listening to your teachers
* Helping out in tidying up toys and other school materials
* Playing well and safely with your friend
* Sharing and taking turns
* Being kind to your friends

Group Activity

Last Thursday the Kangaroo class enjoyed building Hh for HOUSE made out of cereal boxes, milk cartons and tissue rolls.

Build Myself a House

Am gonna get me a Hammer

(Tap,Tap,Tap)
Am gonna get me a Hammer
(Tap,Tap,Tap)
Am gonna get me a Hammer
(Tap, Tap,Tap)
And build myself a House

The kids are picking who they will be a secret santa to.

Gabby is on the left!

Happy Birthday Cara!

From the left- Emily, Steve, Velora, Tina, Alex, Cara,

Gabby, Travis, Bella, Jason, and Stephen

It was a fun and low-key birthday for me this year... good food and friends... can't ask for much more... We had a small dinner party at our house and had Chef Song cook us some of his yummy food... fried prawns, deviled eggs, and soybeans (hard to explain but they are awesome) for appetizers. For dinner, we had beef tenderloin in pesto and red wine sauce, spinach lasagna, garlic bread, and seasoned carrots. For dessert, we had apple crumble and vanilla ice cream.

Snow Day! No School!

We made history today at ISB... for the first time ever, school was cancelled due to snow. We had our friends over for brunch and the boys (Travis and Steven) took Gabby and Emily out in the snow while the women stayed home and talked. It was so nice having a break!

Gabby's School Newsletter 11/2-11/6

Creative Movement

Fisherman fishing Ff Ff Ff, Fisherman fishing Ff Ff Ff, Fisherman fishing Ff Ff Ff, Ff is the sound of Ff

Class of 2005 Progressiver Dinner

In the international school world, there's some sort of special bond or connection you have with the people you come in with... many of our good friends left last year but there are some of us still around. We enjoyed a fabulous night of great food and people with a progressive dinner. If you've never heard of this, it's when different people host part of the meal (appetizers, main course, etc.) so you hop around from place to place. It's really fun and convenient since we all live in the same compound. We were the last stop- dessert. I made magic cookie bars, pumpkin pie, and chocolate chip cookie bars. My friend, Andy, made a chocolate espresso cheesecake that was awesome. It was a great night and I'm going to miss these people when they leave (or us, whoever leaves first!)... I'm sure we'll do this again in the spring.

It Snowed!

We woke up this morning with snow! We got about four inches, which is quite a surprise this time of year. Our school has never had a day off for snow, so I'm not holding my breath for that one... The Wu-Kurtzigs came over for brunch and it was fun to see the girls hang-out. We met this couple when we were in child-birth class before we had Gabby and have become good friends... We also put the Christmas tree up. Yup, that's right. The Tebo tradition is to put the tree up the day after Halloween. When you have a family, you get to make-up your own traditions... I love this time of year so I want to enjoy it as long as I can... :) Pictures will come later...

Halloween Night

Capital Paradise is the place to go for trick-or-treating... our compound is full of expats and people who love to celebrate western customs, so we made the most of this and got together with some friends and enjoyed the night. Gabby had the choice of being a bumblebee, ladybug, or kitty cat this year, and she chose the kitty cat and did a great job (meow!). She really hates people in masks or anyone dressed-up (especially Santa Claus), so she did have a mini freak-out when she saw a girl dressed as a ghost (see picture above). We stopped-off at some friends who were having a party and warmed-up with some hot apple cider, then headed over to Alex and Stephen's house (a couple we hang-out w/ a lot) who had another family over... we ordered pizza and talked while the kids played until about 9 pm. All in all, a successful Halloween!

United Nation's Day

Whoa! Busy weekend. On Friday, Travis and I had Parent-Teacher conferences until 5:00. That night, we celebrated our birthdays, with some other friends, at King's Bar. We decided to have an "80's Party" theme. Travis turned his collar up and rolled-up his jeans. I couldn't find anything to wear so I didn't dress up. I know, totally lame, but I've been so busy lately... it's insane. We had so much fun, though! We didn't get home until 1 am. Trav's band also played that night. I'll be sure to get some video of that and post it on our blog. On Saturday morning, Gabby had a birthday party. Afterwards, her school hosted a "United Nation's Day," where all the kids dress-up in their national costume and bring a dish from their country. I had no idea what to put Gabby in... there really is no national costume of America. I could only think of a cowboy hat and boots, but that's not the American culture we relate too... Thank goodness my awesome friend Beth made Gabby a red, white, and blue dress for the Fourth of July this summer. She saved me! It's super cute and says "Democrat" all over it (my mom is rolling her eyes now). I put it over a white shirt and blue jeans (that's pretty American, right?) and placed a red, white, and blue garland over her head. I had it left over from when we went to the Olympics. The school set-up some arts and crafts activities, jack-o-latern cutting, and other things. We also participated in the "Wrapping your Mummy" game- which we won! Gabby got her face painted and we enjoyed some yummy international food. I made pumpkin pie to represent the U.S.

Gabby's School Newsletter 10/19-10/23

Group Activity "My World"
This week the children made the map of the world for group activity. They painted and decorated the country/continent that they are from.

Hannah, You You, Yuan Yuan, Barbara & Gabby work together to finish the North American continent.

Arts and Crafts
The children made their papier-mache globe, Chinese map and the flag of their home country.

Happy Birthday Travis!

Travis had a fabulous birthday, thanks in part to our wonderful friends (who are like family) and Chef Song with his amazing food. I love this guy! He has a website that has pictures of all the food he makes, then you email him what you want and how many people, then he shows up at your house and does all the cooking and cleaning. It's awesome and pretty reasonably priced. As you can see, Gabby is wearing her ballerina outfit. She loves this thing and wears it all the time.... She dances around and twirls... I love it! In the last picture, is Chen. We love this woman and is one of the reasons we love China... she is so kind and loves Gabby as if she were her own daughter... For Trav's birthday, we threw him a pretty big party (over 40 people) and had a blast! I was having so much fun that I didn't take many pictures. Oops. I'm surprised we fit all those people in our place but it worked out okay. Of course, everyone has fun at the Tebo's house! Ha!

Look below for jack-o-lantern pictures!