The Wixo's Shanghai Move & Adventure: Happy Birthday Tony!!!

In case you weren't aware, Tony celebrated his 38th birthday on the 13th of March!

We celebrated the big guy's special day a day early with a pork roast, sweet potatoes (that are white by the way and my Ayi adamently tells me in Chinese not to feed the babies) and some birthday brownies and ice cream complete with candles that the kids found pretty amazing. The next night Tony and I got to go out with Rich and Jeff from Polaris, as well as Jason (the new employee), to The Grill at the Jin Mao tower for some awesome Kobe steak. It was a pretty clear night so we dined with the city lights all around below us as we sat next to the window on the 58th floor. Then we had an after dinner drink in the piano bar where you can look up at the next 36 floors and beyond that in a hallow center.

We also had some good eats the Sunday before as we were invited to the Ritz Carlton, kids included, for brunch. Caden and Ava actually did quite well - no major fits and they got to try some French toast. Brunch is a huge deal in Shanghai at the major hotels and we were able to taste foods from all different cultures at this amazing spread! Besides lobster, cavier, creme brulee, Yorkshire Pudding and the like, I was able to have some authentic French crepes smothered in spirits. Although they were wonderful, I still miss the Wixo pancakes and have vowed to make some this weekend even if my arm falls off because there isn't a mixer to be found here.

Speaking of food, check out the kids - they WANT TO FEED THEMSELVES ALL THE TIME!

Boy, this is a fun stage as they are so picky about food and want to be independent even if that means the food goes in the hair. The Ayi is a saint and I'm so fortunate that someone else helps clean up the mess on the floor three times a day!

Some other exciting news, I (Sabrina) am almost a resident! After arriving at the Visa office and picking up the number 542 only to find out the 15 counters of workers were on number 340 something I patiently awaited my turn to find out that my medical exam checked out and that my paperwork can be processed. The only small problem was that Caden's picture was on Ava's forms and vice versa - note: pink and blue clothing are gender neutral in China.

Other than that, Tony has had to go to Ningbo for business with Rich (thank you for the southern pecan coffee!) and Jeff so he has been gone again, but a short trip this time. They are expected back this evening for Papa John's Pizza which is speedily delivered on the backs of bicycles here in our neighborhood. I went to the American Women's Expat Coffee this week. I was one of 15 new members in a group that now has over 530 members in Shanghai alone. There were about 50+ women at the informal drop in coffee and I got to meet (one who owns a campground in Sturgis) and hear about fellow Wisconsinites (one lives right here in Belle Wood) and Minnesotans. I even got to meet Shanghai Tammy who proudly showed me a picture of herself on her Arlan Ness Victory Motorcyle! I'm looking forward to the small group that they will now assign me to as part of a three week orientation to Shanghai and the club in general.

Oh, remember hearing about how Tony almost hit three people after buying his bike and trying to ride it home - well here he is after a recent trip to buy a printer that didn't involve any close calls that I know of:I also should tell you that we met the couple that have been the source of our garage door going up and down by itself. They are the sweetest people from Texas and unfortunately they have about 10 days left here before they head home for good. Debbie is taking me to the fabric market this Saturday - "Girl, I just sent home 16 cashmere coats and I couldn't tell you how many slacks and blouses that I had made for next to nothing!" She's a hoot, I wish she was going to be around longer.