Shanghai International Glasses City

Finally able to cross another thing off of my list of 'to do' before we leave. I've heard of this huge eyeglass market where you can virtually any type of frame. You also get an eye exam and the glasses in an hour for around $30! I figured I'd get some funky and different backup glasses to have. So the kids and I went to check it out.

 

Well, it was huge and it overwhelming. There were 3 huge floors of glasses everywhere! I stopped at a couple of vendors and tried on a ton of glasses, which of course included some LV, Dior, Chanel, Gucci, and Prada glasses, but couldn't find a pair that I liked. So disappointing :(

 

However, Rilynn thoroughly enjoyed herself with my camera while I was trying my glasses on!

 

Enjoy the many glasses of Rilynn! LOL

Happy 8th Anniversary!

Today is our 8 year anniversay. This morning Chad Skyped me to tell me happy anniversary. For Chad this was pretty impressive, as not only did he remember the day, but he also did it a day earlier since I'm 13 hours behind :) Love you dear, you did good!

 

We're still on holiday for the week, but was surprised that Susan worked today. We had thought she left for the week to go back to her home. So when she showed up I took advantage of the babysitter and treated myself to a 2 hour massage!!

 

Then came back and went on a Huangpu River Cruise with 3 other families from Shimao. It was supposed to be a 3 hour tour, but ended up being closer to 4! Thankfully, the kids (all 9 of them!) did really good and kept themselves occupied playing games and entertaining the other passengars :)

 

The boat left on the Puxi side across the river from us. It was a beautiful and perfect day and we were able to be on the open top the whole time. It started at 2:15 and ended around 6:15 so we were able to see the lights of the city turn on upon our return. We went on the Huangpu River and went until we met with the Yangtze River and then turned back. Brady loved seeing all the huge boats along the way, even a cruise and navy ship!

 

We then finished the night with a dinner at our favorite BBQ restaurant with our friends and then went home.

 

Was a great day although Chad wasn't here. Makes it a lot better knowing that we'll see him in 5 days!!!! We can't wait :)

 

 Our boat

 

 Friends Emily and Ann Gentry (with her crazy wig!)

 

 Big boat!

 Not exactly sure what are on these boats, but looked different :) LOL

Entering the channel where the Huangpu and Yangtze River meet

 

 The lighthouse is where they meet. There was a rock line all the way across

 

 Navy boat

 

 7 of the 9 kids who joined us

 

 Silly girls!

 

 The kids and I

 

 One of the many games they played to occupy their time

 

 Beautiful Pudong Skyline

Mid Autumn Festival

Today starts the week long National Holiday for the Mid-Autumn Festival. It's all about mooncakes and a full moon, well at least that's all I know :) And also there is a ton of traveling going on around China. Most of our friends are on vacation this week, but we staying in Shanghai and waiting for Chad to come visit on Sunday for a week! We have missed him so much and are so excited to see him!!

 

Last weekend we did a mooncake clay craft. Rilynn loves anyting to do with crafts so we were all over it :)

 

They also made a rabbit on a spring. There is a myth about the rabbit living in the moon.

 

Brady's Rabbit :) or puppy?

 

Rilynn's

 

The class was held in a very fancy mall. They had some nice cars on display. Brady had to pose with his future car :)

Fire! Fire!

Saturday around 11am we heard a bunch of fire trucks, but didn't think too much of it. Well, Susan came in and said there was a fire outside. So we all went on the balcony and watched it. Thankfully, it was a new construction building and no one was living there yet! There was about half a dozen fire trucks there and a bunch of firefighters. The kids enjoyed watching them put it out :)

 

Ladder not quite reaching the top!

 

Spraying out the little fires

 

After the fire was contained the fire fighters made it to the top to get the little fires out.

 

 

Today we took a bike ride and passed the fire station. The kids thought it was cool to see the big trucks up close. Well, as we were going past and looking at the trucks a bunch of fire fighters came out! One of them spoke pretty good english and was talking with us.

 

They were so nice!

 

They even let the kids try on their helmets!

 

 

Such a great student!

 

School is in full swing and they had their first assemby. Another class performed, but I attended to watch Rilynn receive her award. She was so proud and excited to get it! I guess her 1 hour a day of homework payed off :)

 

 

And then she follows it up by writing this about me in her spelling :) She had to use 'diet' in a sentence.. Check out #2! LOL