In Other News...

Updates in no particular order:

We've had a long-standing leak problem in our apartment -- mystery water under the floor wicking its way up the walls in various rooms.  Our landlady put us up in some fancy temporary digs while her contractors tried to find the source.  We stayed only a few blocks away, but it felt like a world away.  The area is more Western, more isolated, and more likely to make me lose my mind or burst into tears.  While it had a very nice playground, I hated it.  Made me appreciate our more Chinese neighborhood.  I missed pajama man.  I missed the fruit man.  I missed the vegetable chopping ladies.  I'm very glad to be home.

Happy Halloween (a little late...)

Halloween was surprisingly a big deal here in Shanghai.  Big parties at Eli's and Naomi & Townes' schools.  Here are the highlights:

Zombie from Candyland and All Aspects of Evil.



The other 4th grade class at the school Halloween parade.

Mr. Evil and his class.

Naomi and her friend Holly Catwoman.

Eli preparing treats to bring to school for Halloween.

Eli and his class singing Halloween songs.

Eli and Teacher Vivianna.

Scariest costumes ever.

 

Good Times with Grandparents

We're lucky.  We just are.  No matter where we move to, both sets of grandparents are game for visiting -- or in some cases, even moving nearby!  One of the cool things that I see every single day here in Shanghai, and likely all over China, is grandparents taking care of their grandchild (and yes, here in China it is grandchild, not grandchildren).

Grandparents are often the primary source of day care here.  It's not unusual to see a granddad out alone with a teeny baby.  Grandparents together feeding, caring, playing with their grandchild for the bulk of the day.  I love watching it.  Love watching grandparents play such an integral role in the lives of their grandchild.  Then I think to myself, what kind of moron drags their kids 7,000+ miles away from their two amazing sets of grandparents.  Morons like me and Matthew.  Sorry Charles and Gloria and Roger and Joyce.  We love you all very much and will come home soon.

Golden Week

This week has been a Golden Week here in China -- basically a week holiday to celebrate China's National Day (Oct. 1st) and the Mid-Autumn Festival, or Moon Festival.  Matthew and the kids are all home from work/school.  Lots of people travel during this week.  I read somewhere that they were expecting 7 million people to visit Shanghai.  I think we saw them all on the subway.

Matthew and Eli started the week with new haircuts.  Eli got a 40 minute haircut.  No joke.  Complete with hair washing, blow dry, and style (with product!). 

Totally Tai Tai

Allison -- what are you doing now that the kids are in school?  I get that a lot.  From all of you.  And even if you haven't asked it outloud, I know you're thinking it!  What is it that you do now that you are a stay-at-home-mom without any stay-at-home-kids?  It is rather ridiculous.  Am I really a Tai tai or an "accompanying spouse" or a "lady who lunches"?  How did this happen?   Should I just embrace it and enjoy it or run for the hills? 

Naomi and Townes started piano lessons.

I checked out the American Women's Club of Shanghai.  I tried to find my people there among the sparkly shirts and expensive shoes.  I spied one woman in a t-shirt and ponytail and no makeup.  Hey, there she is, my people.  Turns out she was a college kid visiting her mom who dragged her to the meeting.  Fail.


I've been to a few coffee mornings sponsored by Shanghai Mamas.  These are nice.  Women from all over the world, UK, Singapore, Brazil, USA, Netherlands, all trying to figure out their new identity and where to buy cheddar cheese.  One new friend from the group and I took a sightseeing bus tour together and have plans for other outings. 

Tips for the Day

Two important things, always use the tooths and never leave your baby on the road.

And in Shanghai, they got bored...

Just a quick post to share this great article from the China Daily News -- the largest English language paper in China.  It highlights the work of our friend and Matthew's colleague Pan Tao, and his amazing farm -- Eco Land Farm (NOT Ego Land as stated in the article).  Completely ridiculous picture of Matthew and Naomi and I.  I wonder if people now think that carrots at "Ego" Land Farm come out of the ground with eyes and a nose?