March Update....

6 months already!

We started off the month receiving several "unidentified" iTunes charges to our account.   Initially thinking that this may be the hands of our dysfunctional wifi system here, we quickly realized exactly who's hand was behind this mess.   I have come to learn that there are more then six senses when you become a parent.  There is actually this seventh sense that develops right after you have grown those eyes in the back of your head.  

This sense lies deep in your gut.  It kicks in when a situation arises and without asking or seeing, you just KNOW all the facts.      So while I like to see the good in all of my children, I am forced to admit, that Garrett is our sneaky hacker.   What I don’t get is… once he is told that this is wrong and pays the stiff penalty (obviously not stiff enough), why is it so enticing to try it again?!   Garrett hacked my NEW password just a few short days later.  Really, am I that readable???     I think he was shocked that through iCloud I was immediately notified on my phone and he had essentially zero time to celebrate his hacking success!!!!!

I got to spend one of my most favorite mornings with my little hacker.  In just a few magical moments, he is able to win me back over.  He made me breakfast and read to me while I was eating.   We also got to see a concert put on by the Pre K 4 (Ayden’s class) through First Grade (Garrett).    The production was outstanding!!!   They are all learning various instruments and were so excited to perform.  Now all the kids are hooked on various instruments.

With the weather getting a little warmer, we are able to enjoy our weekends at the fields.   Ayden is starting to have an opinion on her activities and actually requested to do gymnastics and soccer. This was not long after we broke the news to her that make up application is NOT or never will be a sport.   I of course was over the moon excited for her to play soccer, until I saw her run.  We have a lot of work to do with her running form.  Perhaps we will add the ball later. 

Garrett has actually surprised us this year.  He has become a very natural runner and actually looks like he runs with purpose when his head isn’t bobbing around.  This is a significant improvement from last year when he would simply wander off the field while playing defense leaving us all in a panic before we would  eventually find him on the nearby swings. I can tell that this has been a huge growing year for him too.  Last year soccer was ALL about the water bottle.  This year, it seems to be a bit more about the sport.  Progress!  

I must admit the winter got a bit long here.  I am used to a “rainy” season but this got ridiculous.   I had heard it was “mild” for Shanghai.  If this is MILD, I hate to see what is bad…   I must admit not having to wear jackets now is a huge bonus and makes us feel like we are back in Florida in a way.  Jordan seems to be growing up before our eyes.   I think she struggled the most with the winter months because it put a kibosh on her outdoor play time.  Now that the days are longer and warmer, you will rarely see her without a ball in hand and a look in her eye requesting a quick throw.  She quickly befriended a boy in our building who has a basketball hoop and it is nice to see her have this normalcy in her city life.

As for me… it took me 6 months and a deadline to have my first piece of clothing made at the fabric market.   (This was taken at the South Bund Fabric Market at my last fitting)  Chris and I attended the Irish ball on St. Patrick’s day.    It seemed like a lot of work for just one night, but worth it!

We have booked our flights for our summer home leave and cannot wait to see our friends and family in June (3 months).   While there has been so much we have learned here and experienced, it will be nice to find some normalcy in our home country.  The kids have all adapted so well here.  I sometimes forget how difficult it was when we first arrived to not be able to communicate with others and learn the differences in cultures.   I have noticed recently that when we first arrived all three of them would reach for your hand and hold it tight.  Not knowing what to expect and maybe even a bit fearful.  Today, Chris and I were walking down the streets and out ahead of us were the kids on their scooters hooting and hollering just as they would when we lived in Florida  when we took our evening walks.