Christmas at school

Year 1 at YCIS is the first year where they actually put on a Christmas program. There are 5 classes of Year 1. They did the Nativity scene, Rilynn's class being the angels. Rilynn had been practicing for the last couple of months her 2 songs and was excited to perform. The night finally arrived and Rilynn did great!

Our angel

We wanted to be back in the US for Rilynn's bday on the 13th so we left a week early before school was done. We made sure we didn't miss the Christmas program, but unfortunately did miss Brady's Christmas party.. However, Rilynn's class had theirs the week earlier so I was able to attend. It was fun.. They made an ornament for the tree, had a potluck, read a couple Christmas books, sang some songs and learned to 'chime', and did a book exchange..

Rilynn learning how to chime..

Rilynn and some of her friends

Book exchange- Miss Elizabeth (sitting) is Rilynn's teacher

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sorry, a couple weeks delayed, but Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

The kids both had school and Chad worked so it's not our normal Thanksgiving around here :) Since I am Brady's class mom and since he is the 1 of the 2 American kids in his class, I thought it was fitting that I put on a Thanksgiving party.. I made some turkey decorated cupcakes, organized 2 turkey crafts, and then finished it off watching 'A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving'.. Was quite the busy morning with 16 3 year olds!

Our 'real' Thanksgiving was on Saturday night. We were invited to big old traditional Thanksgiving dinner at our friends.. It was wonderful, good food and great friends :) We had friends from Singapore and Australia, but most were fellow Americans.. It was nice to share with them how a traditional Thanksgiving is celebrated.. I think in total we had 24 adults and 19 kids under 6.. Thankfully we had our ayi's help out so their was 5 of them working to help out, something we wouldn't get back home!!

Unfortunately, we were having too much fun that I forgot to take any pics!! Imagine that?!?!

I did take a pic of the turkey cake pops that I brought to shatre though!! They were a hit!

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and had some nice full bellies :)

Party and Field Trip

Had a busy week with Thanksgiving, a birthday party, and a field trip... Both kids were invited to their friend Joey's bday party at Adventure Zone in Jinqiao. You either have to be members (expensive!) or attend birthday parties in order to play here so the kids always love going here! They had a great time playing with their friends..

Rilynn with her BFF Saria :)

One big thing I love about here is that I am able to be active with the kids' school. Working full time in MN I wouldn't be able to do it so I'm soaking it in as much as possible here. Rilynn's class went to the Shanghai Aquarium and I was able to volunteer and help chaperone. It was fun and really great to see some of the kids she is always talking about :)

My 3 responsibilites for the day :P

All of the Y1 classes went

Could touch a shark, but Rilynn passed on that one :)

Buds!

We had the fun group! LOL

First tooth..

Finally, after having her 2 bottom permanent teeth already coming in Rilynn lost her first tooth!! The tooth fairy found her in China and left 20rmb ($3) and a pack of Barbie stickers :) She was such a trooper!

Happy China-versary!!

November 8th marked our 1 year anniversary since moving the family from Minnesota to Shanghai, China.. We boarded the plane and left everyone we knew and loved to a strange unknown place on the other side of the world.. A year later I am happy to report that our trip here has been wonderful!

The kids have made so many friends from all over the world, are learning Chinese, and have both learned to swim. Rilynn is learning the violin and has learned to read. They both love going to school. But the best part is- is that the kids are experiencing and learning a whole new culture that they wouldn't have ever dreamed of living.

Myself, I am thoroughly enjoying the life of a tai-tai here. I am taking another photography course here as well as starting up a cupcake and cake pop home business. I love being able to go on field trips and school events and am also Brady's parent class mom.

Chad is a very dedicated and hard working employee. Unfortunately for him he is either traveling or at the office so really doesn't get to experience China as much as we do, but without him and his job we would've never been able to have taken this adventure. So we are so thankful for the sacrifices he makes for us!!

Things I love here..

McDonalds delivered hot to my door in 10 minutes for a $3 value meal.

$7 a month cell phone bill

Never having to worry about getting a designated driver :)

Unpredictability- My days are never the same. I never know what I will see that day - may be a grown woman grocery shopping in her heels and flannel PJ's or a dog wearing sunglasses and a jacket sitting in a front bicycle basket.. Priceless!

$1.50 DVD's out the same time that they are in the theaters in the US :)

No bathroom cleaning for the past year! I don't mind cleaning, but toilets are just not fun for anyone!! LOL

Things I'll never get used to...

Spitting : Doesn't matter male or female, young or old, anyone will hawk a loogie anywhere! GROSS!!

Nose picking : A bunch of gold digging going on here...So GROSS!

Smells : Being a nurse I thought I had mastered the ability of breathing through my mouth, but at times the smells here can be unbearable!!

Squatters : As much as Rilynn prefers them, I will never master them. I am guilty of having to take off a shoe and take a leg out just to pee!!

Staring- They never got the memo here that staring at someone is considered rude!

Scooters : My worst enemy here. They feel they own the road and abide by no rules whatsoever. Must keep your eyes open for them everywhere!

Things I really miss..

All of you of course!

Driving- In the past year I've only been able to drive a couple of weeks. As nice as it sounds to have a driver I really miss my freedom!

Taco Bell and Diet Dr. Pepper!!

Target! There is no one stop shop here..

Blue skies, fresh air, and a starry filled night

On the plane to Shanghai last year

 Amazing how much they grow in a year.. They both look so little :)

Our little Brady at IKEA losing the battle to jet lag.. LOL

Thank you all for your love and support over this past year! LOVE YOU ALL!!

We will be home December 10 - January 2 for the holidays. Hopefully we will get a chance to see everyone.

We've Moved Again!

But only down the road :)

Our lease was up October 31st and thought it would be nice to look for a new place. Most of our friends and the main clubhouse are on the other side of the compound, so I went looking for a place down by them. It definitely was not a smooth sailing transition, but thankfully worked out in the end!

Our new address is:

Lane 1 Wei Fang Xi Road

Building 1, Unit 22F

Shanghai, China 200122

Home Phone: 021-5876-5641

Technically our assignment here is up on June 31st, so we only could sign a 8 month lease, but we'll see what happens.. However, we all LOVE our new place.. It's so big (3300sqf!) and Chad is loving having a study at home. He loves having the option to work from home at times... I just love being able to shut his door so I don't have to listen to his conference calls at 9:00pm :) And also the great kitchen for my baking business here...

Here's some photos of our new pad :)

The Entry Way

Our Bedroom

The Dining Room- From Entry this is to the left and to the right is our bedroom

The view down from the dining room

Kitchen off of dining room

Guest Bathroom

Rilynn's Room- with kids' bathroom

Brady's Room

Living Room

LOVE our great big comfy couch!!

Patio off of living room

View from patio- looking down at the wave pool and clubhouse

 

Study with sliding doors off of living room

 Front door