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Published: April 6th 2012
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Nanny has returned to visit us for a 4th time in Shanghai and, as we are nearing the end of her nearly 6 week stay, we thought we would write a little blog to let you all know what craziness she has been up to! We timed the trip really well so she has packed as much as possible in. Firstly, there was the Year 3 Production of The Nightingale starring William as a wonderful Magician. Then, came the D'Oscars (Dulwich Oscars) with Sophie taking a starring role in the opening dance sequence. In the middle of the trip was the Spring Music Concert starring Sophie and William as two fifths of the Chinese drums group, as well as in the Lao Ze Choir, and also Ian in the Adult Choir singing an Andrew Lloyd Webber Medley. Finally, the Year 5 Production of Aladdin starring Sophie as Narrator no. 5! Now, that doesn't sound like a huge role, but it involved lots of lines and singing in a group and even solo at times. The DVDs are out and we have bought a heap, so we can watch again and again! And these are only the school events.
We have
been discussing what we have done and realised that this truly is a city of eating....most of our activites have been meeting friends and eating. Shanghai Tang for dimsum brunch with Fran and Mark; Lost Heaven on the Bund with the James family; Johnny Moo with Kate and Barney; Jumeirah Hotel for Sally's birthday; Mother's Day lunch at GloLondon and another visit to GloLondon with Bing and Ian; Whisk Chocolate Cafe to name but a few....and Easter Sunday will be at the Paulaner for Easter Fun with Alan and Sherry and family. Ian and I have also been lucky enough to have a quick night away in a downtown hotel called Moller Villa. It looks alot like a Swiss Chalet and was absolutely beautiful...sadly the rooms had very thin walls and we were woken to the sound of the man next door sneezing and spitting while on the loo! The worst thing about the Chinese has to be their disgusting habits. At one point, in the front of a taxi, mum had to resist the urge to ask the driver to stop picking his nose with his long little fingernail and his ears with a toothpick!
Mum spent alot
of time in school, whether listening to children in William's class read, or helping my class with their Greek projects, but she became quite a fixture for the last few weeks of term! Another school event Mum was here for but not a part of was the Daddy Daughter Dance. It is a rather American thing, where the Dads take their daughters all dressed up to a lovely hotel and dance and have fun together. Sophie had a gorgeous new dress, and Ian a newly made suit. Talking of clothes, we tried to get a cashmere coat made for mum but failed due to problems with the tailor getting measurements wrong and then refusing to change it! They didn't outright refuse but kept pretending that they had and clearly hadn't! Instead, we are off this weekend to collect 3 new pairs of prescription glasses (including one pair of sunglasses) which have been made for a fraction of the price mum usually pays for just one pair! Fingers crossed they are as ordered and promised.
This past week has been a holiday for us, as the annual Qing Ming Holiday gave the children and I 10 days off school. Ian
had to work last weekend but then had 3 days off....a rather strange Chinese way of trying to give workers more time together. This has meant we have been able to enjoy the much longed for sunshine and Spring weather...the children have been out playing in the compound and yesterday we went for a picnic with several other mums and children. A gorgeous day out was had by all at Gongqing Forest Park. Jin Mao Tower remained the only tower we have not clmbed since our arrival in Shanghai, so we ventured up earlier in the week to Mum's delight...it was fascinating to see the enormouse 'Bottle Opener' and the dwarfed Pearl Tower, along with the makings of the new tower which promises to outdo them all.
We have certainly walked Nanny a few miles, as we tend to while in Shanghai. Not having a car means we take taxis everywhere. She has enjoyed the delights of a foot massage and pedicure...definite must-do's while being in Shanghai. Oh, and of course the excitement of buying 5 pairs of Ugg boots and 2 pairs of Converse at the Fake Market, as well as several hours in the fun factory otherwise
known as Ikea! What an experience that was...and meatballs to fuel us!
Mum has also had the pleasure of meeting many of our friends here once again, who tend to become our family and lifeline while out here. While we were still at school, a very kind friend of mine was kind enough to take mum out shopping for the day, and another took her for afternoon tea at the Peace Hotel!
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