Boys at the Beauty Salon??

I took the boys in for a hair cut. Our good friend Sandy Meecham who used to live here came for a visit. She had a pass to a beauty salon with a balance on it. So she passed it on to us because she moved back to the states. We've had it for a few of weeks and just sent friends in to use it. I didn't want to indulge... at least not too soon!


So I took the boys in. Tanner loves haircuts. Both boys are mostly still and enjoy it. Notice the purple streak in the dude's hair that is cutting Tanner's hair? Did I ever tell you I've always wanted to do a blue streak in my hair... think Pepsi blue, like Tanner's shoes.


They even do this cool hairwashing. So the boys got cool scalp massages too. This is Hunter's "after" picture.



Zoomed in shot...



Zoomed out shot. Yes, I got a pedicure for the first time in 5 years, and then 5 years prior to that! It was great! THANKS SO MUCH SANDY! I never knew how grateful I'd be for your kind gift to us.


Tanner was throughly entertained at the thought of paint going on toes. Hunter took care of Tann, and opened the chocolate I brought (just in case). Tanner decided the chocolate not only tasted good, but went great with his green shirt.

30 Minute Challenge

Tim has given me a 30 Minute Challenge for Blogging. So, here's how to post, and veiw all your friend's blogs within 30 min:

Google "google reader".

There, you enter all you friend's blog addresses (right click on their names on your blog, then click copy link), then just enter it into the google reader on the left side of the page.

After that, you just log into google reader, and it will tell you which friends have made updates to their blogs.

Another discovery: (okay this one more blonde than the other)-- did you know you can take the memory card out of your camera, and directly stick it into your printer or computer base? You don't need the cord and all of that anymore. It saved me a huge amount of time!

Lastly, I discovered most people like pictures more than words. So, I'll try to be like Angelica and post a picture with every blog... except this one.

Okay, just one last thing. If you need a password to enter your blog, I have lost your password: this means: Katy, AnnDee, Clair :).

My Little Picassos

Because of the rain, so we busted out the paints, which finally came out of their packaging.

I know you love the aprons. High class over here.


Tann liked to reach the brush tip as high as he could reach, then drag it down.


Hunter's


Tanner's

Time Out

Hunter in time out (for going into the car outside w/0 me there):

H: Mommy, I'll make good choices now
M: Good
H: I won't do it ever ever ever again, I won't even let anyone put chopsticks in the outlets... not even Ashley.

***Note: Ashley has never even had interest in putting chopsticks in the outlet. Must be a boy thing.

China's 1st Food Storage Team

Last night our branch (from church) made history! The first ever food storage. Jen Castle brought over the Aluminum bags and the Sealer from the US... and we had a bonding night of storing flour, beans, and rice! Then we all took them home in our rolling luggages (some came by taxi, some by driver, and luggage was the easiest way to transport the goods).

Here is our Assembly Line:




Some of my Food Stoage Mentors


Our "Flour Girls"


What flour bagging night is complete w/o a mother daughter flour fight? What a fun team they were! This is Tracey Butters, the one who gave the talk at the 20th Anniversary Fireside.

Forts, More Than Meets The Eye

Today the boys made a fort.


Which, of course, was actually a Spaceship. Can you hear the sound effects through the picture?

Tootsie Tanner

Tanner turned two in February, and I swore that's when he'd start talking. However, the little dude has always had bigger fish to fry. He is so busy being a younger brother and being rough and tumble that he hasn't had any interest. Up until this week, that is.

In the past, he'd point at something and in a growly tone shout it's name louder and then louder until he heard you say it back to him. As if he was the one teaching you how to say the word.
Now, he's on to two word phrases. This morning he told Hunter "Hop in Weeds!" when waiting for his brother to join him in the tub. For those of you who don't know, Weedsie is Hunter's nick-name (The evolution being : Sweetie, then Weetie, then Weedie, then Weedsie, and finally weeds).

He still hops when he walks and his little poof on the top of his head still won't lay down even after applying "hard hold" gel. It only makes the poof spiky. He still sucks his thumb but usually only when he's getting snugly on mine or Tim's chest. He still yells "I yough you" (I love you) before nap time while holding out his hand and tucking in his pinkie finger (as if to sign the I love you sign).


He still needs to be right next to Hunter. They are a little tag team, two peas in one rowdy pod. Yesterday, for our "canal walk" (okay, more like a river), I let Hunter take his bike (the one Olivia gave him). I wondered if Tanner would be jealous or mad that he couldn't ride the bike, or upset that he didn't have one. But instead, he fed off of Hunter's enthusiasm and ran as fast as he could to stay right next to Hunter's set of wheels. He was giggling even louder than Hunter. Sometimes he would get too close to the bike. Two times he got ran over by the bike (sad!) in a split second. He just got up and kept running, didn't cry or stop giggling. He was so proud of Hunter and was so encouraging.


(Hunter helping Tanner onto a rock).
There will come a time when Toots will have his own bike. There will be a time when Toots will stop sucking his thumb. There will be a time when Toots' poof will be cut short or lay down due to constant combing of teenage years. There will be a time when being called "Tootsie Tanner" will be "so un-cool, Mom!" But for now, just let that poof bounce in the air with his walk. Let him squeal when you tickle his underarm. Let him be my baby for just one more year. Speaking in phrases or not.

The Real Reason You'll Visit Me in China

I promised I'd send some pictures. These are photos from about 3 stores. Three of over 100 back to back lining the walls of this underground market. Pricing? You ask? Think Wal-Mart. Think Wal-Mart Clearance. Notice intentional mispelling when your cursor scans over each picture (that's how you can read the captions)... Who's coming next? LOL!

Tennis

It's been over 10 years since I picked up a racket. There was always too much going on, and I left tennis in the dust. Something most of you don't know (except for Megan, Whitney and maybe Katie J) I played tennis in high school.

A little background: My freshman year I never lost a tennis match, as well as my sophomore year. My Junior year I lost 4, and My senior year 2. I had an absolute blast. I learned how to play by hitting a ball up against our garage. I used my parent's old rackets, wooden, very heavy, and with a very small face. I was embarrassed that I was the only kid on the block with a wooden one in a golf course community. I think my parents wanted to check my commitment level before buying a nicer one. The older rackets actually made me a better player.

That racket made my swing stronger because of it's weight. It made me center the ball on the racket's face better b/c of the smaller face. It was the perfect training tool. Also, because my dad had a very logical rule to not hit the ball up against the wooden panels of the garage door, I had to aim for a two foot brick strip between the garage and above windows when practicing. No, I didn't ever break a window. This taught me to aim.

Later, actually, almost exactly 15 years ago, my dad urged to apply for a tennis teaching position at the parks and recreation center. I got the job and learned all about the details and proper words on how to prepare for the ball, when and where to make contact with it, and follow through. Priceless.

So today, I went out to visit this old friend. I will try to visit more often. I am sore today and so mind boggled at the whole thought of taking it up again. The crazy things you do before you turn thirty. YIKES!

20th Anniversary

On Friday night, Tim and I snuck away and went to the the 20th anniversary celebration of the Shanghai International District (for our little church here in China).

We first heard from Tracey Butters. She has been here for 15 years with her family of 6 kids. She shared stories of holding church between just her and her husband, and how they'd hike up to the top of a mountain to have sacrament meetings there. She talked about taking icy cold showers, while the wind blew above her. She talked about living next to a shepherd that would allow her kids help him transport the sheep from across the streets. But mostly she spoke of being pioneers and being kind and loving to the people of this great land. I think every woman was getting teary eyed at this mother's expression of being a pioneer in our day.

We also watched a video of the history of our church in China. It wasn't so long before we got here that the entire branch was meeting at someone's home. Now we meet in an over-sized home that's more like a church building only with several floors.

A Friend Like That

We were falling asleep the other night and I tell Tim I had spent 3 hours with TamiChristiansen learning how to work computer graphics. Tim, who leans more to the side of not giving compliments so much, surprises me with the following-- about two minutes of (this is what's left of what I remember):

Tim: Her son Aaron is in my class
Suzanne: Is he cool? What's he like
Tim: REALLY good kid. Really good kid. Very polite and attentive in class at church. You can tell his parents are involved with his life. He has been brought up well... (and more)

I so wish I'd written it all down, now that I've forgotten half of it! I hope one day my son's teachers will have this type of random conversations with their spouses... don't we all?

Well, that dedication (to her parenting) spilled over to her dedication to serving others.

Tami taught a group lesson on digital scrapbooking a couple of weeks ago. She listed about 30 sites she'd filtered as the very best for scrabooking. While I don't scrapbook, I wanted to learn how to do things on my blog. She came over and for a very long afternoon, patiently she taught me a few of the ropes. Then, she even came back to teach me how to do the header on my blog (two very long afternoons that she cheerfully gave up for little ol me). In the process, we found this cool digital paper at one of the websites-- shabby princess. We were searching forever for another one (like I said, she's so patient), for all too long.

Smart, funny, TALENTED, very beautiful, dedicated...just that type of friend that builds you, and leaves you better than she found you. Thanks Tami. I have her blog listed on the Right.

Olympic Magic

I wanted to get this posted while my heart is still pounding. I just witnessed a once in a lifetime experience.
The Olympic Torch came through our area!!! It was literally about 10 minute walk (or 1 minute drive) from my front porch! I let the boys stay up from their nap to witness it along with friends Morgan, her grandma, sister Odessa, and two daughters Adayla and Ryan.
I could barely sleep last night thinking about it-- how exciting for it to be so close! Despite all the controversy, this country deserves it, the people deserve it. While some don't agree with government, I'm glad they kept seperate it from the Olympic spirit that bonds all countries and races.
When we got there, we were expecting a pep ralley. But there was a calm reverence in preparation for the pass of the tourch, you'd almost think it had already passed through. Then all of the sudden the busses pull up with the runners. They started yelling "ZHONG GUO-- JIA YOU!" Literal translation: "Add Gas China!" or "Go China!" These people were so overwhelmed with excitement. See the bottom of this post for the background of the tourch.

INFO ON THE BACKGROUOND OF THE TOURCH:The Olympic flame is a practice continued from the ancient Olympic Games. In Olympia (Greece), a flame was ignited by the sun and then kept burning until the closing of the Olympic Games. The flame first appeared in the modern Olympics at the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam. The flame itself represents a number of things, including purity and the endeavor for perfection. In 1936, the chairman of the organizing committee for the 1936 Olympic Games, Carl Diem, suggested what is now the modern Olympic Torch relay. The Olympic flame is lit at the ancient site of Olympia by women wearing ancient-style robes and using a curved mirror and the sun. The Olympic Torch is then passed from runner to runner from the ancient site of Olympia to the Olympic stadium in the hosting city. The flame is then kept alight until the Games have concluded. The Olympic Torch relay represents a continuation from the ancient Olympic Games to the modern Olympics.

Kid Candids

Here are some Pictures of the kids right after we saw the Olympic Torch. I loved the pictures of the boys hugging. Enjoy!

Olympic Magic!

I wanted to get this posted while my heart is still pounding. I just witnessed a once in a lifetime experience.



The Olympic Torch came through our area!!! It was literally about 10 minute walk (or 1 minute drive) from my front porch! I let the boys stay up from their nap to witness it along with friends Morgan, her grandma, sister Odette, and two daughters Adayla and Ryan.



I could barely sleep last night thinking about it-- how exciting for it to be so close! Despite all the controversy, this country deserves it, the people deserve it. While some don't agree with government, I'm glad they kept seperate it from the Olympic spirit that bonds all countries and races.



When we got there, we were expecting a pep ralley. But there was a calm reverence in preparation for the pass of the tourch, you'd almost think it had already passed through. Then all of the sudden the busses pull up with the runners. They started yelling "ZHONG GUO-- JIA YOU!" Literal translation: "Add Gas China!" or "Go China!" These people were so overwhelmed with excitement. See the bottom of this post for the background of the tourch.



INFO ON THE BACKGROUOND OF THE TOURCH:

The Olympic flame is a practice continued from the ancient Olympic Games. In Olympia (Greece), a flame was ignited by the sun and then kept burning until the closing of the Olympic Games. The flame first appeared in the modern Olympics at the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam. The flame itself represents a number of things, including purity and the endeavor for perfection. In 1936, the chairman of the organizing committee for the 1936 Olympic Games, Carl Diem, suggested what is now the modern Olympic Torch relay. The Olympic flame is lit at the ancient site of Olympia by women wearing ancient-style robes and using a curved mirror and the sun. The Olympic Torch is then passed from runner to runner from the ancient site of Olympia to the Olympic stadium in the hosting city. The flame is then kept alight until the Games have concluded. The Olympic Torch relay represents a continuation from the ancient Olympic Games to the modern Olympics.

Furniture

We needed beds for the boys, the garage sale ones were wearing out. I have yet to see a second hand store in China too. So we had to buckle down and buy. Then interesting thing is that here in China, it's cheaper to have things (draperies, clothes, furniture etc) custom built than buying them in a mall. Especially furniture.

This a picture of the night stands we are having made for the Master (Restoration Hardware "Camden Collection). They are 3 feet across, which I didn't realize till later.


This the dresser we are having made for the Master (Restoration Hardware "Camden Collection).


This is a picture of a bed we are making for the boys' rooms from, the model is from Pottery Barn Kids. I spotted it in a catalog describing the bedding, but couldn't find the name for it. Come to find out, Pottery Barn has not officially launched this line yet. They don't even have a name for it, but if you did happen to spot it (search for "star bedding" and you will see it there), they "call" it (for now) the "Larkin 4 Poster Bed with Trundel". They already have a Larkin set, so I don't what the official name will be... but do you LOVE this set? Think little King!

So... instead of paying $1770 for a Restoration Hardware Camden collection night stand (made of partial veneer and cheap wood), you can get it here for Wal-mart prices, and of solid Ashwood, with no veneers.

Here are some slides of what the furniture looks like now, they have not sanded or stained it.

Thanks Alison Wilde!

The food got eaten way too fast to be able to take pictures of the beautiful cuisine you delivered. I have been lazy all day and not doing a thing. After last night's fainting incident- chills-fevers-shakes-diziness-I've not be up much. And I kept the boys from school too, just in in case they might be contagious too... what with all the green snot and chest coughing. My poor little dudes. I felt bad for keeping them cooped up all day b/c I was too exhausted to move an inch.

When Alison texted and offered to bring a meal, my first thought was "that's what Holly (ayi) does best, that's what I should be delivering to you!" But I knew the message behind the meal. Alison, our noble Relief Society President was showing that she cared. And it was a sacrifice for her to pull together the following:

1. The cute handle bag that it all came in
2. Each of the portions were in aluminum containers, so I didn't have to worry about returing dishes.
3. Chicken Stir fry... I could tell she used American salad dressing on it-- YUMBO BOB!
4. Rice
5. Crescent rolls... how long had it been?! They tasted so fresh!
6. A Fresh tossed green salad, with all the toppings, so healthy
7. Homemade from scratch chocolate chip cookies, a heaped plate full... I almost thought about re-selling them. Only true friends give plate fulls of chocolate chip cookies.

My heavens, what did this girl do to be deserve these kind of friends?! I feel so cared for and loved! Being sick has never been so nice. I once heard the following:

"How you treat people you don't need in life says what kind of person you truly are".

I don't have much to offer, so thanks for the spontaneous display of what kind of a person you "truly are". My little heart is weeping with gratitude. Thank you thank you thank you.

Is This Fair?!

Whoever said they were allowed to grow up?! This is insane. We just moved out here 4 months ago, and look how big my baby has gotten!!! This is him 4 months ago, just before we moved.

Above: the week before we moved


Above: The week before we moved


Above: Last Month. He's so big!


Above: Last month. This was even after a haircut!

Soooo not fair! Let them be little!!

The Best Decision I Ever Made

Stop! Before you read this...
Please go to my songs play list (at the very bottom of this screen) and click on "I'll look after you". Do this before you read any further :).

Tim forgot about Mother's Day. "I'll celebrate it tomorrow, since tomorrow is Mother's Day in the states." he says. Then his boss left out of town when some top executives came in town, and the other expat (Tim's parallel) just got promoted to India a week prior. So he was the only one to cover all the bases that week... including Saturday and week nights past 7 PM.

Overwhelmed with his full plate, he looks around the room, and says "I got you this furniture for Mother's Day, will that work?" We had furniture delivered on the 7th. We leave it at that.

Saturday night, we head to "Mega Fit" for memberships, I fall asleep there, freezing cold an sweaty. Tim takes me home and gets me to bed. There I stayed all Sunday (except I got up @ 3 AM, and fainted cold on the floor!). Luckily, the entire 2008 American Idol Marathon was on... DAVID ARCHULETA... (vote for him on Tuesday!) So I was entertained while sick.

Holly, our Ayi, is off on Sunday. I kept hearing all the dialogues between Tim and the Boys, and wishing I could be up to help out. After Tim took the boys on a walk to the bridge to release the frog the three of them caught, Tim puts a vase of fresh lilies on my night stand (he bought me Sat. night). Lilies, then cold squares of watermelon, then a steak sandwich & potoato (from Saturday's feast), lastly hot-out-of-the-oven Chocolate Chip Cookies and Nyquil. This so out-does any of my celebrated holidays. He knows just when to jump in and work hard.

Here's a picture of how nicely everything fit on the Mother's-Day-Night-Stand. The night stand to fit all the service Tim did for me that day :). Tim, Marrying you was the best decision I ever made, I'm a very well "looked-after" wife and mother.

Food and Friends

Saturday for dinner, we had the Brienholt and Kuehne families over. I knew Ken Brienholt from my mission, and I absolutely dig Allison, his multi-talented wife. Morgan Kuehne was my instant friend here in Shanghai as we both serve in Primary (at church) together, Her husband, Tim, gets along with my Tim well. When we were at their house last, I was actually the one to remind my husband that it was time to go home (true story, I swear). Tim liked shootin' the breeze with Tim. My Tim has always like laid back people.

And both Tims liked Ken, so I think we got an "in" for the ladies to hang out--- LOL. Each family has a 4 year old and a 2 year old, all girls, perfect to balance our rowdy girls. The Kuehnes just had another girl, and the Brienholts are expecting. Points for Allison for being pregnant, without her shipment, in a foreign land.

It's great to add to our very very welcoming friends we have here in Shanghai. The Breinholts were in PuXi all afternoon learning the ropes of ShangHai... and after a week they know it better than we do. But we really wanted to give the Brienholts an American meal, since their shipment doesn't come for another THREE months. Here's some food pictures:


Morgan showed us all up with this STUNNING salad. It was beautiful. We're eating it today too!


What's an American summer time meal without Lemonade, Ranch and Bacon Bits?! Thanks Morgan for your American stash.


It's been too long w/o these babies!!


When I make these, I think of my mom: Judith Grannis, and my bonus mom: Susan Grannis. Both have MASTERED deviled eggs!


Bought this stand at a garage sale. Did you notice the yellow watermelon?


Susan always inspired me to cook. She was rarely late and everything was hot at the same time. Still working on that one... but nice to know it's possible. These are twice baked potatoes.


Philly Cheese steak Sandwiches with Garlic Mayo. Something I haven't seen much of here.

Omlet 101 lesson for Holly

Holly eating the omelet I made for her

Since we now have our shipment, Tim says there are no excuses for me not cooking. True. So, after seeing the chinese version of scrambled eggs (greasy, a bit dry, and brown), I showed Holly, our Ayi how to make an omelet. I learned all the details of omelet making in school, so I wasn't sure if she'd catch on.

Another Omelet Pic.

The next morning, she greeted me with an omelet. Her omelet (which I don't have a picture of) turned out YARDS prettier and tastier than the one I made above. Props to Holly! I'm so impressed!

Project: Transformer Rescue Mission

Hunter looking over the bridge at his Transformer that he dropped in the water.

While spotting fish under the bridge, Hunter dropped his Transformer in the water. I've never heard a more devastated cry. Really, you'd think somebody died. Or worse.


Here is OUR HERO!! This guy got a long pole, pushed the toy to the side of the water, and ran down to get it for us. It was some serious work, he was happy we wanted a picture of him... after all, he'd saved the day-- what would you expect?!

Hunter was so grateful. Ashley, Cailey and Tanner were happy Hunter wasn't crying.

The Aquarium On The Other Side Of The Globe

Us in front of a huge aquarium featuring various stingrays.

Ever wonder what a visit to the Aquarium is like on the other side of the world??

Here is and escalator going down into the Aquarium. Then, odd enough, real Geese floating on top. Toward the front, there is a section for turtles, and a large fake Alligator (under the man with the white shirt, dark jacket). When you go down the escalator, you feel like you are scuba diving with all these cool fish.


Here is Hunter with Jaden and Jacey looking at the Geese through the glass. I think this was Tanner's favorite part. He is obsessed with birds. He was in the stroller for this part and kept yelling "Bird! Bird!" I need to find some Bird observatory in Shanghai to take him to...


This is Hunter's favorite water creature. It is like a huge sting ray, but with a long serrated nose. Do you see Hunter's reflection in the glass? Pretty cool to a sword lovin' 4-year old.


Sandy with Jaden and Jacey Mecham, they stayed with us for 2 1/2 weeks... isn't she beautiful?!

This was my favorite. These "Army Helmet" type crabs are creepy looking. So creepy that I needed to star for an abnormal length of time. I couldn't figure them out. I think the two in the top left were "connected", and the one just above the fish has flipped over, so you can kinda see what's underneath. Each of their eight legs have pincher claws, and they scurry around... very creepy! My hair is standing up just writing about them. oooohwee.