Snow!

This pic is of our building back yard with the kids playground at the back. We hope our upcoming visitors from Qld have their wollies packed!

Shave on the go

We first thought this taxi driver, stopped at a red light, was shaving. But a closer look revealed he was actually plucking facial hair - with a bulldog clip. Ouch! Only in China...

Chinese New Year

It's that time of year again - when China goes crazy for red dragons and fireworks. Lots of people leave the city and go back to home provinces to see family - this means train stations and airports are frantic. The week of Chinese New Year has been called the world's largest migration of human beings.

Australia Day

Taken at an Aussie Day event in Shanghai.

New Chinese invention - genius!

Helping Grandma

Shanghai supermarket

Our local Carrefour. Not usually as "in your face" as this.

Summer watermelon

Boxing Day 2012

Hervey Bay

A perfect day in Hervey Bay. Boxing Day 2012.

Presents

Max and Zara received their "big" presents on Saturday morning. New bikes - with trainer wheels. They were very happy to get them - but not much chance to use them yet with the cold wintery days and parents busy packing for Australia. Next year!

Hiding the evidence

Max's eye is much better - but he likes hiding it under a patch. I think I will have to conveniently forget the patch when we fly to Australia tonight!

Christmas card

A gingerbread house Christmas card came home in Max's school bag last week. Turns out the picture inside is of a cute little boy Santa!

Craftsman

Yesterday we visited a paper craftsman who cuts beautiful pictures from pieces of paper. We bought a couple of pieces for the wall, however while we were there the kids got a free sample! The chicken is cut out from a single piece of paper. Amazing work.

Stylish cycler

Be sure to check out her woolen mittens.

Bleak

A particularly grey, wet and bleak day in Shanghai today. This is a view from one of our bedroom windows.

Eye progress

Spider-Man

Max's teacher face-painted him as Spiderman today to cover up his bruise.

Eye update

Looking better today - but no school just in case. Bruise moving from deep purple to warm yellowish green.

Max vs bedside table

Max had a bad run in with his bedside table last night. He was jumping on the bed. Off to the ER we trot this morning. No stitches, but likely a colorful bruise for the next 3 weeks or so. And he will probably have a little "Shanghai" scar on his eyebrow. Everyone in Australia will get a first-hand look at it shortly.

Small shop

Tiny, tiny, small shop on Anfu Rd Shanghai.

Postie

Letters from Grandma and Grandad arrived yesterday and the kids were very excited to get something in the mail!

Our street on a rainy Saturday

This is the street we live on, as proudly modelled by Max. The footpaths and gutters are always spotless thanks to the faithful band if street sweepers. It's a quiet little street compared with most in Shanghai.

How many sticky fingers does it take...?

Parents were invited to participate in biscuit baking with Max's class yesterday. Apparently the dozens and dozens of xmas themed bikkies we created will be sold at this year's Xmas bazaar on the weekend.

Winter

Cold days are here. The days start about 9 degrees and usually top out at 13 or 14. Meaning that when the others leave home at 7am, it's jackets and boots time. Of course it's going to get a lot colder than this in the weeks to come.