Christmas Party

On Saturday morning we went to a Christmas Party at the American Club. When they opened the doors at 10:00, we were ready! They had the best Christmas CD playing (I asked who it was the girl said she didn't know, she threw away the cover) and had lots of activities set up. There was an art area to make a Christmas card, a stage for Santa, a magician/entertainer walking around with his puppets, the marionette kind (sp???), a bean bag throw, pin the hat on the snowman, a bowling game, golf game, find Rudolph's nose in the snow and one where you had to get the ring around the reindeer's antlers. There was a huge spread of food as well. The third picture is of Reed with one of the camp counselors. They have a camp during all school holidays, Reed went for fall break in October. This guy has mentioned several times how much he enjoys having Reed at camp. :)

My pictures from Shanghai

I am finally posting the pictures from my trip to Shanghai in November. It's been so long now that I don't even remember what all I did but I had a great time and miss my friends there dearly. I do not, however, really miss Shanghai all that much. The fact that I'm so late in posting this can be blamed on my friend Melissa. While I was staying with her she let me use her computer. She had Mahjong on it and I became addicted again (had it on my old computer but not my current one). I came home, downloaded it onto my system and it takes up all of my time. Shame on you Melissa! :) But thanks so much for having Graham and I stay with you, you are a great host!

The first picture is of lunch with friends Hae Jin, Irene, Jessica and Melissa. The second is of dinner with Kathryn, Vicki, Jim, Anh Thy, Kirsten, Harmony, Lee, Dorsey, Christi and Marsha. I got to see several other friends as well, it was so great to spend time with them.

Next up, pictures of Graham and his favorite women. First, Jiang, our ayi who Graham seriously may love more than Jeff and I. He also loved seeing Ms. Chen and Ms. Swati. He got to play with all of his friends, Chris, Elliot, Christopher, Jeffery, Suzuri, Sana and Lily. I won't post all the pictures of the kiddos, but they are all darling. :)

Finally, really the highlight of my trip, getting back to the orphanage where I hadn't been since they closed it to volunteers last March due to flu and HFM outbreaks. My precious Brooke was there, it took her awhile to warm up to me but she finally did. I had a great time catching up with Anne and Marissa as well. It was a fairly nice day and we were able to take some of the kids outside. A lot of the kids had moved on to the next room so there were quite a few new, younger kids there but about half were ones who I have been spending time with for 2 years. In the one picture I'm putting my bracelet on Brooke. She absolutely loves wearing jewelery. :)



Everyone was asking when we are coming for our next visit. I really hope to, would love to take Reed back as well. Not sure if it will work out or not. I think I have just about 6 months left before Melissa moves home and our "guest suite" will no longer be available. I can't quite imagine though, not ever returning and not seeing my friends again. We'll just have to see I guess.

Pee pee in the potty, pee pee in the potty!

So Graham finally did it, he went pee pee in the potty instead of his beloved diapers. He was so proud he did a dance that any NFL receiver would be proud of. It was especially funny to watch him dance since he was naked, I am sorry I didn't have the video camera ready! Of course it then took about 5 minutes convincing him he was not going to bed in just underwear but I did promise he could wear them tomorrow. He is sleeping now with his new underwear over his diaper. :)

Proud of My Mom!

I swear I am going to post pictures from my trip to Shanghai and write about what we did for the rest of the week very soon, but I wanted to write about my mom for a minute. She has once again made the Salina Journal and, as usual, it's for a good thing, not a bad (for those of you from Salina, you know that when most of us are in the paper, it's usually in the Police Blotter section having something to do with drinking..........). Anyway, the article explains it much better than I would so take a look!
http://www.saljournal.com/news/story/Salina-History-Book-11-14-FOR-MONDAY
The boys loved looking at the picture and saying "That's Grandma!!!!"

Hanging in Shanghai

Well, Graham and I have been in Shanghai for just over 2 days. It's been great. Graham did well on the flight and it took just an hour to get to Melissa's from the airport Sunday late afternoon. It's fairly cold here and it was SO GRAY Sunday afternoon but both Monday and Tuesday there has been at least some blue sky and really nice temperatures in the afternoon. Jiang came to Melissa's at 9:00 AM on Monday morning. Graham went running to her and literally jumped into her arms. They hugged for at least five minutes. She kept saying "I love you, I miss you" and he kept leaning back to look at her and then squeeze her again, it was so cute.
We went to the Shanghai Centre (where we used to live) and to the playroom there. He hugged Ms Swati, his teacher, Ms Chen, the playroom supervisor and Runa, the Filipina ayi who used to babysit him sometimes. He had a blast and (with no nap) had to be drug out kicking and screaming around 4:00 when we headed back to Melissa's.
I had lunch with Melissa, Jessica, Irene and Hae Jin. It was so great catching up with them and as Irene pointed out, it was like I never left. Then I ran over to the mall via subway and did a little shopping. Then went with Jessica and Anh Thy to Ikea. I didn't need anything but seemed to buy some things anyway. It was so much fun shopping with Jessica again!!! :)
Today Melissa and I did some shopping at the Hongqiao flower market, the Christmas stuff they have out this year is incredible, then the Pearl Market and then had lunch with Jessica at Peter's Tex Mex. We then ran to the DVD store and back to the Pearl Market for Jessica.
Tomorrow is a bazaar and a girls night out. Thursday I get to go see my precious Brooke at the orphanage and I can not wait!!! I know the week is just going to fly by and I'm trying to enjoy every minute. No, I'm not wanting to move back. :)

Happy days......

I just wanted to post about how happy I am with the outcome of the election and where I believe our country is headed. :) I wouldn't wish that job on anyone but glad that Obama is ready to take on the challenge. I hope he pulls in people from the Republican side and that they all can work together for a change. I think that might help people who did not want him to win (like my dear hubby) get behind him a little bit. It's been a great experience to be overseas during the election, to hear what people from other countries are saying. I definitely think 0ver 90% (not a scientific number, just mine) of the people of the world are happy and now have hopes that the worldwide economy will eventually turn around and that the US foreign policy will be little more friendly. Man, what a huge job ahead of him. And sadly, I have to pray for his safety as we all know there are enough nut jobs in our own country who would rather not having him walking around. Let's hope for all of our sake's that things do change and change for the better. :)

Karate Kiddos

One day at school Reed learned about karate. He came home and showed me and then Graham gave it a try, he has a unique way all his own. Here are their videos. I apologize for my already mono-tone voice being even worse, I think I was sick when I filmed this. Also, I can't get the videos to turn right side up......



Here is the G-man: