it's a full moon tonight

This is pretty much the one night of the year that I have any idea what moon-phase we are in.  I have a good excuse too - the overcast skies our city claims as trademark.  We just don't see the moon.  It's every bit as terrible as it sounds. 

But tonight I'm sure it's a full moon.  (even if we can't see it)  Today is Mid-Autumn Festival, a really big deal here, and its always during a full moon.  Since the day of Mid-Autumn Festival is determined by a lunar calendar, the date changes every year.  This year it lines up perfectly with China's National Day (October 1st) and the result is lots of vacation!  No school for a week - most government offices, big businesses, etc all closed. 

We're starting the week with a get together this afternoon and evening with some local friends.  Dessert will be moon cakes (little round cakes with a thick flavored filling).  Our friends that are hosting live on the 22nd floor!  If there's any chance we're gonna spot the moon it's probably from their balcony. 

[updated:  home from the party and it was so fun AND we saw the moon!  it was beautiful!]

Later in the week Matt and the big three will head out on a one-night camping trip with a bunch of students.  John Paul would surely think a camping trip was one small step away from heaven - but since he would require round-the-clock oversight and attention he was knocked off the invite list.  Luke, the crawling dirt-eater also missed out on this year's invitation. 

So it'll be me and the little boys here at home.  We'll probably do some errand running, some stroller walking, some tower building, that kind of thing.

We are so blessed to live in a great stroller-walking area and I get out several times a day (if it's not raining).  With the little boys in the stroller and Isaac on his bike we can cover some serious territory while the girls are at school.

In the afternoons I sometimes put Luke on my back and John Paul in the single. 

And when I'm feeling energetic and like I'm up for a challenge I let John Paul roam free with Luke in the single.   My John Paul is an explorer, and he's got a good bit of speed :)  

Fortunately, (unless his belly is running on empty), Luke is happy to hang out in the stroller and flash his smiles at whoever will pay him any attention! 

Seriously.  Does it get any more precious than that?