Charlie's Party!

Last Saturday was Charlie's 2nd birthday party, an event which Oliver and William have been eagerly anticipating for a few weeks!  Lisa and Darren put on a great party with a bouncy castle, games, a paddling pool and a treasure hunt.

Darren, Noor and I landed the job of chasing a group of very excited children round the compound following photo clues.  Lisa had done a good job.  We went from one end of the compound to the other about three times and up and down to their apartment twice - luckily I have been going to the gym!!

Following the treasure hunt everyone refuelled on pizza and hot dogs and, more importantly, birthday cake!

A magical picnic

Every Friday morning at DUCKS reception take part in a Magic Book assembly.  Two children in each class get their names in the Magic Book and a certifice.  Last Friday William got his name in the Magic Book, for being kind to new friends, and had to go up in assembly and receive his certificate from the headmistress.  Sam and I had been concerned firstly, that the teacher should not feel she had to award the Magic Book to William and Oliver at the same time and secondly, how William and Oliver would react if one got it and the other didn't.  Oliver rose to the occassion.  Miss Nesil told me how he was pleased for William and when I picked them up at lunch time Oliver told me he was 'so excited' for William and that he would 'try to get it soon'!

On the way home and over lunch we talked about how to celebrate and William decided he'd like to have a picnic and an ice cream by the river and so we did!  It ended up being an excellent decision as the weather was fantastic and we were able to enjoy a brilliant sunset.

William and Oliver go to school!

On Monday 22 August Oliver and William had their first day at school at DUCKs Shanghai.  Sam took the day off work and we both walked them to school. 

As it was the first day parents were encouraged to come in and make sure the children were settled.  I was nervous that any negative reaction by William and Oliver might upset me so I prepared them for the fact that we were going and they said "ok bye" without glancing up!

So far the first two weeks have gone well and only going for mornings seems plenty as they are worn out by lunchtime.  Later this week we have our first official meeting with their two teachers (one English and one Chinese) so hopefully the reports will be good!

A belated anniversary

Kaytie and Richie offered to babysit and we were not slow in taking them up on their offer!  We decided to make it a belated anniversary celebration. 

I left the Grants with all four children and met Sam after work.  We started off at the Glamour Bar and had cocktails.  Among others we had the Martini that won the 1951 Martini competition in Chicargo!  It lived up to it's name!! 


Note the I love you message to Sam in the background!

We then walked to Mr and Mrs on the Bund (appropriate for an anniversary!), a French restaurant, where we had a rather impressive shrimp cocktail and frogs legs followed by cassoulet - all delicious!

Rather romantically (!), Sam suggested that we spend the night at the Peace Hotel and, after overcoming the embarrassment of asking for a room with no luggage, we were turned away due to our lack of passports!! So we headed back home where we were woken by four children at about 630am!  Life goes on!

Richie rocks up!

Richie arrived in Shanghai on the tail of the typhoon and brought with him some spectacular thunderstorms.  Our swim on his first day was disrupted but it was pretty impressive watching the lightning.

I took the three eldest Grants to the market one evening where we made a good bargaining team.  Kaytie got a dress made and Riche got four shirts and a suit.  A follow up trip resulted in a collection of Mulberry bags and purses. 

Finding history in Shanghai can be difficult at times but you are always guaranteed some at Yu Yuan in the Old Town and no trip out is complete without tea and some Xiao Long Bao!

All of the Grants enjoyed the different dumplings on offer so we had a dumpling class where we made about 200!!

Kaytie and I also went on a cookery class where we made more dumplings and some spring rolls.

While the Grants were staying it was Kaytie's birthday.  Knowing what a fan of crispy duck she is we endeavoured to track some down.  We found a restaurant which claims to serve the best duck outside of Beijing.  The oven has been brought down from Beijing and the chefs trained there!  It was excellent!

As well as the duck, we ordered noodles.  On your birthday in China you are meant to eat long noodles to symbolise long life.  Luckily the noodles were long!

The birthday evening out was complete with some local style posing for the camera!

We were sad to say goodbye, although it was probably for the best on health grounds as otherwise our livers may have never recovered! Many tears were shed saying goodbye for a year but we all had a fab three weeks together.