Swimming, rugby and afternoon tea

Sam took the day off on Friday and we spent the first half of it in Ikea!  Its exactly the same as in the UK but a bit cheaper!  We got some bits for the house, but more importantly, had meatballs for lunch which is a firm favourite with Oliver and William, especially as they can watch the trains going by.

In the afternoon, now free from coughs and colds, we made use of our gym membership and took William and Oliver swimming.  They loved the children's pool but much prefered the warmth of the large jaccuzzi pool!  They spent half an hour jumping in and out with Sam while i did some lengths! (this week has seen Sam start running 2 miles every morning so I can't get left behind!).  I joined them in the jaccuzzi (definately the best pool!) in time to see both boys swim accross it!  All the activity wore them out and they were in bed asleep in time for the babysitter.  Sam and I enjoyed our first evening out together in Shanghai.  We walked round the corner for a meal and for some reason ended up in Carrefour  looking at bikes afterwards!  Sam certainly knows how to show a girl a good time!

Over the rest of the weekend we met up with some friends and went to an excellent Chinese restaurant where we had fantastic noodles and dumplings - William and Oliver are certainly broadening their culinary horizons! 

Sam had his usual night out for the rugby and enjoyed watching England, Wales and Italy all win.  On Sunday it was the girls turn and we all went for afternoon tea at the Shangri-la.  This is a monthly event, the aim being to try all of the top tea places in Shanghai!  Next 6 nations, the girls will be going out for the rugby and the boys for afternoon tea! 
This week we have been getting ready for our trip to Hangzhou, described by Marco Polo as the 'closest place to heaven on earth'! We are hoping it lives up to this praise!