Justin:
On Saturday, Andrea, Tristan and I went to the International Festival at UNC Charlotte. We had a great time watching dances from diffferent countries including China, India, Laos, El Salvador, and Thailand. Tristan cried out in protest when we tried to leave the dance performances. He loved them. There were booths set up, representing many different countries, which diplayed and sold arts and crafts. Some booths also sold native foods and drinks. Andrea ate a spicy dish from Eritrea, in Africa, that included a soft, spongy, tortilla-like bread, chicken, spinach, potatoes and carrots. I had tasty chicken yakitori and rice balls from Japan. We also listened to live music from the Carribean, South America, Africa, and Ireland.
Camden was at her mom's house so she didn't come. However, she wrote a post for her girl scout troop's new blog this weekend. So, check it out... http://www.troop1088.org/
Justin:
Congratulations to my brother, Eric, and his wife, Laura, on the new addition to their family. Matthew Daniel Fentress was born early this morning in Germany. Hopefully Laura can get some rest after being up all night. I wish I could see the reacton of their first son, Michael, to his new brother. Fentress Family
Justin:
Well, we're all back to school or work now, so it has been a busy couple of weeks getting used to the new schedule. Tristan and cousin, Sam, started preschool last Tuesday. Tristan was a little upset to be left there, but was soon distracted by the toys and other kids. On Wednesday, when we pulled up in the parking lot, he said, "No, no, I don't want it." Next week will be his first full week of preschool and I think by the end of it he won't protest any more. Last year, he loved it. Sam did great and asked to go back on the teacher workdays we had on Thursday and Friday.
Last Saturday we went to Hickory to see Aunt Beth and Uncle John. We had a great time swimming in Lake Hickory and playing in the hot tub. Uncle John took those of us who were not napping, watching the Gator game, or kayaking, for a ride on the pontoon boat and showed the kids how to fish.
On Sunday, we had a barbecue at Michelle and Scott's House with our friends Kim and John and their new daughter Abigale. We were also joined by Scott's cousin, Gabe, who is a freshman at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Gabe was very glad to eat non-cafeteria food and have a place to wash his clothes where the washers and dryers are not constantly full of other students' clothes.
Yesterday, Andrea and I were fortunate enough to get out without the kids, thanks to Michelle and Scott, who watched Tristan for us while Camden was at her mom's house. We went to the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts and Culture in uptown Charlotte. We saw several art exhibits, watched poets perform, watched a drumming circle and Andrea danced with the Afro-Caribbean dance class. The BBQ and Blues Festival was taking place just outside the center, so I was able to get some BBQ samples and a funnel cake. Yum! We went to dinner at Nakato Japanese Restaurant. They always have great food and we always eat too much.
