Getting back on track.....

Hopefully this post finds everyone doing well.  I will apologize upfront for the long delay in posting - yes, I have heard everyone's request for an update, I was just ignoring you all - just kidding!!!  The reason for the long delay.....our sea crate arrived from MI!!!!  Life has been full of unpacking, determining where we are going to put everything, washing, organizing, re-organizing because you realize half way through that everything won't fit there - you get the point.  We are all very happy to have our stuff here but I do have to say, living the 'simple' life was a lot less crowded & much more organized.  The kids have been playing with their long lost toys & re-connecting with their long lost friends (stuffed animals).  We are not done unpacking but the house is in decent enough order (probably not according to Mrs. Wang though....) that we have taken a break.  While on our look-sees trip, we visited lots of stores to take inventory of what they had that we use, cost of products we use, etc.  We did this to make packing more efficient & bring only items that we needed, couldn't find over here or that were ridiculously expensive.  As we were unpacking, Ron & I just started laughing - we brought about 30 lbs of pasta (SOOOO cheap here) & forgot to pack things like dishwasher tabs which cost $10 for a pack of 20.  Needless to say, we got a good chuckle & made many mental notes so we can inform others so they don't do what we did!!

Updates:

1)  School is going much better for the boys.  Tanner has survived his big projects/papers & seems to be getting into the swing of things.  Don't laugh old teachers......Tanner got moved from his table to a table with all girls because he was talking too much - he's adjusted nicely!!  Justin is meeting friends & went to a birthday party last weekend.  He seems to be getting into a good school routine & enjoying his classes.  Amanda is doing well in her Mandarin school & comes home daily with new words - to which I have no idea what she is saying.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

2)  The boys are involved in Concordia's after school activities programs & are really enjoying them.  Tanner does Badminton on Tuesday's & volleyball on Wednesday's.  Justin does karate on Tuesday's. 

3)  I have been enjoying going out to explore markets in Shanghai.  I have been to the Textile Market (good place to have bedding made), an underground purse market & an Oriental furniture shop, with a stop at IKEA afterwards.  Along with your daily food shopping trips, I have even managed to go to a coffee shop to listen to a guy talk about traveling with children within China - lots of useful information.

4)  My friend Denise & I signed up for Mandarin lessons.  We start next week with lessons twice a week for 1 1/2 hours.  Hopefully my 'old' brain can learn new tricks.......

5)  I got my first haircut since arriving in Shanghai.  Fin, a guy stylist, didn't speak much English but did a decent job cutting my hair with all it's calics & thickness.  I will return to him in hopes that if he keeps cutting it, he will get to 'know' my hair & do a better job as time goes on - one can only hope......

Tomorrow will bring another day of shopping with a trip to the local street flower vendor at days end.  It has been 'addicting' buying flowers - you can get 5 bouquets for around $7 - $14, depending on the type of flower.  

     

In closing, I ask that you all keep my friend Traci (IL) in your thoughts & prayers as she broke her dominant wrist last week & went in for surgery today.  Thanks!!

P.S.  To those who keep asking, & you know who you are......, pictures of Ron & I will not be posted anytime soon!!!!!  Love you......