February Update!

We don’t get to many days where is snows in Shanghai so today we loved seeing the white stuff stick…  

We are definitely eager for the weather to get nicer… the colder weather has seemed to over stay its welcome!  We are by far NOT cold weather people after 10 years in S. Florida!  This has been a huge adjustment for all of us!!

While the kids are gone at school, I try to venture out and do the same errands I used to run at home.  Only here, I am never disappointed with one of those OMG! moments when food shopping.  So rarely do I actually take out my phone or camera to take pictures… but standing in line behind this, I couldn’t help myself.   I am actually impressed that these are wrapped… even partially.  Typically, they are thrown haphazardly in a huge bin and the locals pick through each slab.   They are then just thrown on a cart unwrapped and hauled out to someones van.  As awful as this looks… you get use to seeing it and even the kids aren’t grossed out by this sort of sighting.  Does that mean we have been here too long????

There isn’t much that will keep Jordan inside…   But after some time saving up her allowance, she was able to buy herself a new skateboard.   Somehow her old skateboard didn’t make it onto our sea shipment.   

As much as Jordan loves to be outside… my inside kiddos are always finding something crazy to do.  Garrett and Ayden are the best of friends!   And ironically are both equally the boss.  

Our snaggle beauty… Let the Gawky phase begin!!

Garrett was SO excited to show off his book report on snakes.  No doubt… he picked this because it is the one animal that I fear the most. 

We are preparing to celebrate Jordan and Garrett’s first holy communion.  They have been working very hard in their classes no doubt going for the snacks and friends they have made.  This was an exciting event until someone had to break the news to Jordan that the occasion warrants a dress.   Needless to say, this did NOT go over very well and bribing tactics are in full motion.   Ayden however was ALL on board trying on each dress we were looking at and demanding that she was ALL over communion if it requires “fancy” wear.   We are keeping our fingers crossed for the big day and hoping that the priest doesn’t notice her white cleats with the white dress…  

Our little celebrity!!  Ayden made the front cover the the Shanghai American School Magazine!!!  

Naturally, this went completely to her head…  as she is now telling everyone she is famous!

Celebrating the Year of the Snake in Boracay, Philippines!

Happy Chinese New Year!!! And one place we never seem to be during this holiday to celebrate IS China!  Its a good time to get away because the locals celebrate all week and set off fireworks all night long.  The fireworks are nice at first, but it gets old after a while and the resulting smoke can really get thick in the city really raising the pollution index even worse.  

No doubt we have found paradise in the Philippines as this is our second trip back to Boracay!  

While it takes two plane rides, an hour and a half bus trip, a boat and a Tuk Tuk transfer  (think rustic motorcycle side car)  Never in the US! -- once you arrive on this small island -- the pain from the endless journey dissolves quickly as you sink you feet in the white sugar sand.   With all of the amazing beaches we could explore on this side of the world, you know it has to be good for us to come back.

For an island that isn’t that far a flight away from Shanghai, it sure takes an all day adventure to get to.  This is boat ride we take as the second to last leg of the journey.  The 15 minute boat ride takes us to our destination island of Boracay.

Boracay is a tropical paradise that is an hour flight south of Manilla (about 4 hours plan ride from Shanghai)   The crystal clear water and white beaches puts it on Forbes top 10 beaches in the world.  You shed your shoes the moment you arrive as the sand starts at your front door!

Our youngest surfer girl is the first in her bathing suit and out the door.  Last year she was still recovering from a broken ankle so it was great to see her fully healed and running at full speed.  You can almost see her imaginary wings spread wide as she heads off running for the water.  It didn’t take Ayden long to find someone to braid her hair.  At dinner the first night, Ayden mysteriously disappeared.  We spied her talking to a couple of local women with a small tent full of beads and threads set up near the restaurant… she came back with a skip asking for some cheap money.  She came back 20 minutes later with a smile on her face and many braids in her hair.  To see her negotiate and independently arrange this was awesome.  Garrett never far was close by pacing the perimeter of the tent until she was done… she was in good hands.  

We spent one day on a scavenger hunt which included a ride on a zip line overlooking the Western side of the island known around the world for it’s windsurfing and kite boarding.  Garrett ever our adventurer loved the zip lining.  He may be afraid of his own shadow sometimes but there is no thrill ride he will turn down.

Garrett loved the chance to hold this crocodile, but we decided to keep it quick with the mama crock close by...

One great thing about Boracay is the dive sites are very close to the resort and there is a dive shop on site.  Fortunately Chris and I were able to get away for a few dives on our own.   The kids were begging us to go so we put them in a class of their own.  They can’t get certified until they turn 12, but we did find out that they LOVED it and plan to join us in our adventures in the future. 

It didn't take the Carey's long to find a little LOCO FRIO!!!!

No doubt…  the beach just brings out the best in everyone… 

The kids got to pick out a gift for themselves and decided on a skim board.  The flat beach was perfect for it and after a few bumps and bruises they managed to really pick it up and enjoy it.  The adults quickly decided they were better off with volleyball and happy hour...

Let the adventures continue as we explore the world on the other side….