Birthday Madness

I am not going to apologize any more for not blogging as much as I want to. Life in China is all consuming. Since I last wrote, we have been to Singapore and Indonesia. Steve is traveling all over the world. We successfully completed our first pinewood derby (with a pretty good showing, I must say). We survived Anderson's "home" birthday. You see when you are 5 birthdays are the most important day in one's little life. AC is a New Years Eve baby, so he got to party at school before Christmas, then he partied hard in Thailand. Then we had 18 little nuggets over at our home in Shanghai jumping and going wild last weekend. Only to be followed by an even bigger birthday...baby Emmy turned 2 today. The boys are ecstatic. They still view their baby sister as the biggest gift God has ever bestowed on them....And let me tell you, the Queen knows it. You see, she is not a princess, she commands attention, she knows what she wants, she does not except failure. She is the Queen. So, what did we have in store for miss Queen today.

The day started with a new birthday outfit that clearly delineates her new status as a two year old. This was followed by a small birthday celebration at her weekly art class. I brought cookies and we all sang to her. Then it was time for a day out at the barbie store with her best gal pals. Mom, auntie Chalmette and her daughter Ava. Let me tell you this is no ordinary Barbie store. This is the first ever barbie flagship store. Modeled after the American girl store in the US. Of course it is dripping with barbie, fashion, bright lights, play areas, a dress up center and of course a runway. I am a little concerned that the barbie store is not catching on here, because both times I have been there the place is empty. Which means more room for me and Emmy to frolic and play. Seriously, there were probably 20 employees and us. Which makes for a fabulous worry free afternoon for mom. We did a little browsing and playing, but when we found the dress up clothes, there was no stopping these little girls. Even at the fresh young age of two, the queen knows where to go.........the shoe area. So much fun trying on new outfits and shoes, even a wig or two. Then strutting our stuff down the runway. There is even a cafe, so we had our pink drinks (strawberry milkshakes for the little's and pink lemonade for the mommas.) The girls were a little too busy to bother with food, but anyway. A great time was had by all. Another reason why I don't think the store is catching on. Everything was on sale. So with barbies less than a 100 RMB, we could not go wrong.

Tonight we are off to the cub scouts family night dinner then tomorrow the kids are off school....again. I am not sure what we are going to do, but I am sure I will come up with something. This weekend we have basketball. Oh yeah and I forgot about swim lessons on Friday. There is never a dull moment in Shanghai with three kids. You ought to try it, if you are feeling bored!!!!!!!