Water, water everywhere!

Saturday Morning Adventures at the Shanghai Aquarium

Whoa....What are those?

Our new friends (some friendlier than others)

Dance Party!

Pia decided she was a penguin and was putting herself up for sale.

(I have to say, her waddle is pretty cute!)

Lantern Festival

The Spring Festival (aka Chinese New Year) ends each year with a lantern festival. Our apartment complex put on quite a show for everyone, equipped with dragons, guys blowing caramel into animals on a stick, and lots of people with some very unique talents. I am really glad we were here for the Chinese New Year, but I will say that I won't miss all the fireworks (apparently some guy down the street has some leftovers that he thought now would be a great time to shoot off!)

Our own little dragon.

Dinner

Totally safe to eat...promise.

New School

Eric and Pia started at their new school this week. It has gone great so far and it is great for them to get back into a routine.

And can Eric's uniform get any cuter? Well, actually, yes it can. Just wait until Pia has to wear one. The blue dresses are too cute for words.

New Digs

Eric thinks it is pretty cool that we live in a high-rise apartment. Especially since he is in charge of swiping us into the building and up the elevator to the 10th floor.


We still don't have much yet. Our rental furniture is still in the factory being made (got to love the Chinese New Year!) and our air shipment is finally in country and should clear customs next week (fingers crossed). Our sea shipment...the vessel is scheduled to arrive Shanghai on March 3rd and then should clear customs in a short 6-8 weeks. Until then, we are enjoying our camping adventure. 1 pillow, blanket, and towel for each person, plastic dishes, 1 pan, and a well-rehearsed 4-day rotation of outfits.

Thankfully, we do have real beds. Well, almost all of us. Poor Pia has been sleeping in a pack-n-play for 34 days.


The view from our window. We can't wait for summer. It is going to be a blast!

Year of the Rabbit

And these are only the cute ones. Let's just say that there are a lot of the roasted variety as well.
Thank God we are going to miss the year of the Dog.

Happy Valentines Day

With a little help from our driver Jun, Doug brought home a beautiful bouquet of roses for Valentine's Day.

After carefully arranging the bunch in my beautiful Chinese vase (aka gallon water jug), we noticed that the Chinese street vendor managed to pull one over on us once again.

Special evening price - full price for 11 roses. Got to love a deal.
Wonder what a baker's dozen is here? ;O)

Fun with Grandma De

Dipped cones at Dairy Queen...even in China!

First cooking lesson


First Tai Chi lesson

Back Alley Dealing

All it takes is a little trust and a trip to the secret rooms in the alleys.
It can be yours too for $40USD