Nope, I am not crazy. HAPPY NEW YEAR! Nor am I running 5 weeks behind. Thursday, February 7th was the start of the Chinese New Year. We have now entered the Year of the Mouse. We spent New Years Eve with a English friend of ours and his Chinese girlfriend. It was great learning from her about the new year's customs. One of those is eating dumplings right after midnight. The Chinese believe that eating the dumplings, which are in a shape that represents money, will bring financial prosperity in the new year. I think we must have eaten dozens of dumplings. I'll let you know in about a year how that worked out for us. One of the most exciting things about the night was the fireworks. Being that I live in the land of fireworks, I shouldn't have been surprised. But folks, it is indescribable. Since two days prior, fireworks were going off every night. But on the eve, they started around 5 pm and didn't end until after 3 am. And I don't mean just here and there, I mean EVERYWHERE! As we stood out on our friends balcony we could not even hear each other talk over the noise. Everywhere we could see, all over the city, were fireworks. It is almost impossible to explain. It was like nothing Michael and I have ever seen. Nothing! It was amazing!
A couple of weeks ago we celebrated Gabe's fourth birthday by having a great party with friends. Each person got to ice and decorate their own cake. It was tons of fun for everyone! That night when we were putting Gabe to bed he said, "Mom, I am so excited! I can't wait until I turn five and have another happy birthday party!" I think it was a success.
Here are a few pictures from the past month.
Everyone waiting so patiently for their cakes to decorate.
Gabe and Maddox do some decorating.
The birthday boy.
The kiddos.
Fireman Gabe wearing his gift from Dad and Mom.
Two Chinese Snow Shovels. All you need.....a bamboo pole, two leftover pieces of wood flooring and a couple of rusty nails. Why buy when you can make your own?
Clearing the interstate. Yup, those are workers with shovels. Though here, they are using yard/garden shovels instead of wood flooring.
This is a vending machine in one of the many subway stations here in Shanghai. These are well stocked with anything one might need while out and about. Water, chocolate milk, juice, cookies, candy bars, chips, and oh yes......condoms.
A close up, just in case you don't believe me.
