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Permalink It’s that time of the year again – time to catch a Leprechaun. Eleri had “blown” up the hot glue gun over Chinese New Year’s staycation. She reminded me she MUST have a glue gun to build a proper Leprechaun trap. I ran to the B&Q in Jinqiao on Wednesday to replace the glue gun so she could “build the proper trap”! On Saturday afternoon, she began her project. I had been saving boxes and other recycle pieces for her. She took one look at her recycle pile and went to work.
Let’s see if I get the details correct…
There is a lounge area for the Leprechaun to rest with his own umbrella (made from paper and a pipe cleaner). She set out a gummy hamburger for him to snack on while he rested. The rock wall has coins hot glued on to encourage him to climb to the top. She attached the rope for safety. At the top, there are more coins waiting for him to step on the roof. Once he steps on the roof, he will fall in as it was only taped on the edges. She put foam in the bottom so when he fell he would not get hurt.
On Sunday, St. Patrick’s Day, Eleri put on her best green for the day. She also found her hat she made last year. It isn’t as fresh looking, but that really didn’t matter.
Eleri’s friend, Maggie, came over for an afternoon play. They built Maggie a trap just like Eleri’s. Then, they built a smaller trap for Maggie’s little sister, Harper.
Eleri did not catch a Leprechaun, again! She is beginning to wonder why she can’t catch one. We reminded her that Leprechauns are very tricky! He ate the hamburger, kicked in a few places on the rock wall trying to get the coins, left a dent in the foam where he fell in and we think he used the safety rope to climb out. There is always next year!
Average Rating: 4.8 out of 5 based on 299 user reviews.
Permalink Grade 7 & 8 students had a fund raiser dance for Heart-to-Heart. The dance was a semi-formal dance with all funds for the Charity, Heart-to-Heart.
In total teen fashion, Avery and Emersyn went to Puxi last Saturday shopping for new dresses. Mr. Nie took them as Faith and I trust him more than any other driver. They started with lunch at Whisk, the chocolate delight cafe. The girls found a dress for Emersyn at H&M. Next, they went to Forever 21. Emersyn reported it was very crowded and they were trying clothes on in the aisle. Avery found a dress at Forever 21 before they had to come home.
On Friday after school, Emersyn had volleyball until 5:30pm. After volleyball, she went to Avery’s house to get ready. It is always more fun with a friend and Faith is much better in the make-up department than me. The girls looked beautiful and all grown up for their dance…but, it was still a middle school dance. Emersyn reported she only danced with her friends.
Average Rating: 4.6 out of 5 based on 234 user reviews.
Permalink Concordia’s Middle School Bands presented “An Evening of Music”. The music was performed by the Middle School Jazz Band, Sixth Grade Band and the Middle School Band which includes Grade 7 & 8. Each band played three songs for an hour concert to enjoy “an evening of music”.
The Middle School Band Played:
Barnum and Bailey’s Favorite
Highlights from “The Wizard of Oz”
Into the Storm
 The Middle School Band
Our favorite saxophone player!
Jim was out of town and missed the concert. The girls and I enjoyed our usual dinner at the Blue Frog at the Kerry Center before the concert.
Eleri being Eleri as the girls changed clothes at the Kerry Center.
Emersyn in her band attire ready to perform.
Average Rating: 4.8 out of 5 based on 280 user reviews.
Permalink Eleri’s 3rd grade class has been studying poetry. Eleri enjoys poetry and is having fun writing her own poems. The 3rd grade had a poetry reading at school. Eleri was very excited to have us come to hear her recite a poem.
Eleri’s invite to her poetry reading had two poems by Eleri.
Eleri recited the following poem:
“Deep in Our Refrigerator” by Jack Prelutsky.
Deep in our refrigerator,
there’s a special place
for food that’s been around awhile…
we keep it, just in case.
“it’s probably too old to eat, ”
my mother likes to say.
“But I don’t think it’s old enough
for me to throw away.”
It stays there for a month or more
to ripen in the cold,
and soon we notice fuzzy clumps
of multicolored mold.
The clumps are larger every day,
we notice this as well,
but mostly what we notice
is a certain special smell.
When finally it all becomes
a nasty mass of slime,
my mother takes it out, and says,
“Apparently, it’s time.”
She dumps it in the garbage can,
though not without regret,
then fills that space with other food
that’s not so ancient yet.
She spoke a bit soft, but she had nice expressions in her delivery. Jim was able to attend the poetry reading since his office is now close to school. Eleri really wanted Emersyn to come, also. Emersyn did come, but too late to hear Eleri as the children all recited their poems in 15 minutes. Jim went back to work after the classroom reciting.
After the reciting of poetry, all the 3rd grade classes went to the ES Commons to have cookies, milk, tea and coffee. The students had their poems on display for the parents to read.
After the poetry viewing, Eleri and I went back up the classroom to read together. She very much enjoyed the poetry reading afternoon.
Average Rating: 4.8 out of 5 based on 213 user reviews.
Permalink Faith and her girls had watched American Idol, Season 8. Therefore, they were all excited to see Adam Lambert Live in Concert in Shanghai. We borrowed Faith’s disc to watch season 8 – there are hours and hours in ONE season. We had a week to watch American Idol so we skipped to the Final Five. Watching American Idol, we did learn Adam Lambert has an amazing voice. The concert gang was the usual families, The Bishops (Faith, Avery & Riley), The Jenkins (Jennifer & Sophie) and us. Eleri had said no to the concert. Terri took her to Journey over the summer and she did not like the loudness.
Emersyn was looking all “teen” dressed for the concert.
We had an early dinner at Bubba’s Tex Grill because it was close to the concert arena. The service was VERY slow and the food was Ok…I don’t see us running back there any time soon!
 Avery & Emersyn
The concert was held at the Expo Center in the Mercedes-Benz Arena.
Outside the gated arena, ladies were selling glow sticks on the street. We had walked through the first gate when I thought we might want those stick for the concert. We sent the girls back out to get glow sticks. The sticks were 10rmb ($1.60) each. Emersyn chose a blue and a green glow stick.
The gang of girls in front of the Adam Lambert poster.
 Avery, Riley, Sophie & Emersyn
Scott’s secretary ordered the tickets for us. We said medium price range. The tickets cost 780rmb ($125) per ticket – not cheap. But, when we saw our tickets, we were pleased to see row 10 on the floor!
Well, this is China (TIC) – a common phase we all use. The rows were numbered in two sections on the floor and we were the back section…the second to last row on the floor. We would have been able to see better in the side seats, but we just joined the floor crowd to rock out STANDING on our SEATS!
During the concert, many people had the glow sticks – I was really glad we went back out to get them for the girls.
Our view from Row 10, second to last row on the floor!
Avery & Emersyn were having fun together at the concert – something they will always remember.
Inside the arena, the only item for sell was the CD for 70rmb, no t-shirts – nothing! However, on our way out, the street vendors were selling the t-shirts for 40rmb ($6). In America, the t-shirt would have been $40.
The girls also came home with their Adam Lambert poster for 10rmb ($1.60).
 Emersyn & Sophie
The concert lasted about one and half hour – I would have expected longer. We were home and in bed by 10pm on this Sunday night! The girls were all smiles and that is priceless!
Average Rating: 4.8 out of 5 based on 294 user reviews.
Permalink Model United Nations (MUN) is an academic simulation of the United Nations that aims to educate participants about current events, topics in international relations, diplomacy and the United Nations agenda. The participants role-play as representing a country in a simulated session of an (committee) of the United Nations, such as the Security Council or the General Assembly. Participants research a country, take on roles as diplomats, investigate international issues, debate, deliberate, consult and then develop solutions to world problems. In general, the participants that the executive panel considers to be most contributing are given awards, such as ‘Best Delegate award’.
Emersyn has been preparing for Model United Nations (MUN) for the past couple months. She was assigned a country – United Kingdom. Her topic of debate is organ trafficking. She left on Thursday morning excited to participate in Dulwich International MUN Conference in Beijing. As always for Emersyn, none of her friends had joined MUN. She is fine going without a “buddy” and has discovered it opens the door for new friendships. From the repots of her excited tales, that was the case in Beijing as she came home with new friends, mostly 8th graders. They spent late nights hanging together at the hotel working on their resolutions. I had sent Emersyn with cookies to share so she was not “allowed” in the room without her cookies!
The group she was working did not get their resolution passed. Emersyn did come home with an award. She was given the award of “Most Diplomatic Delegate on the Economic and Social Council”. Only three awards were handed out for the entire MUN delegates so she was all smiles showing us her achievement.
Emersyn wore her sweatshirt from MUN on Friday. She is very proud of her sweatshirt because she earned it!
Average Rating: 4.5 out of 5 based on 298 user reviews.
Permalink This week the ES Students have Book Week. Book Week ends with a book character parade on Friday. Eleri decided last month she was going to be the little sister from the book, “Big Sister, Little Sister”. It is a very easy costume and once Eleri makes a decision, she is done. Friday morning, Eleri had to change to different shorts as the grey ones, size 5-6, were a bit tight. A quick dig in the summer bins for a new pair of shorts and she was ready! With her new haircut, it was easy to copy the hairstyle of the little sister.
Eleri is always goofing, but she makes me smile.
At school, all the teachers dress up as a book character. The ES principal, Mr. Semler, started the parade. A guest author, Katie Smith-Milway, was at the school all week.
Our little book character walking across the stage with her class…holding her book upside down!
I went up to the class room to take a photo of the class after the parade, but most of the kids had already taken off their costumes. I took a quick photo of the girls still in their costumes.
 So Yeong, Olivia, Zoe, Eleri, Josie, Katie
Book Week is always fun as the week is filled with special activities.
Book weeks of the past, click on the link to see Eleri’s Book Character Parades.
Book Week – 2nd Grade, November 2011
 Pinkalicious
Book Week – 1st Grade, March 2011
 Fancy Nancy with the Posh Puppy
Book Week – Y1, March 2010
 Super Girl
Book Week – Reception, March 2009
 Snow White
Book Week – Nursery, March 2008
Average Rating: 4.5 out of 5 based on 188 user reviews.
Permalink Valentine’s Day started off with homemade cards – my favorite. Emersyn made her cards with red paper and white-out.
One for Mom.
One for Dad.
One for Eleri.
Eleri made the same kind of card for Mom, Dad and Emerysn. She cleverly used the heart cut outs on the other side.
A box of chocolates is a must on Valentine’s Day. Good chocolates are expensive in Shanghai, but worth the splurge for Valentine’s Day.
The girls in red and pink – looking adorable!
Emersyn did comment she would like Valentine’s Day to more special next year. We were all very relaxed during our stay-cation.
Average Rating: 4.4 out of 5 based on 239 user reviews.
Permalink The house was decorated for Chinese New Year! Tradition is to decorate the outside, so we did. We have our Chinese knot and firecrackers.
Inside we had a few more various items to hang up. The girls love decorating.
I took this photo of Eleri at Green Leisure in Jinqiao on Thursday night.
On Friday, the girls and I went to the IFC Mall. The girls had fun taking photos with the displays.
After photos, we went to to the basement to City Super to get a few items which turn into more than a few. City Super had flour. I have been looking for regular flour for a couple weeks. City Shop has bread flour at 82rmb ($13) a bag. City Super’s flour was cheaper at 48rmb ($7) for regular flour. Now, I had a couple heavy bags to carry with me. We decided we would go to the 4th floor to lunch at Simply Thai, one of Eleri’s favorite places. The lady just told us “no”. It was too crowded. We went down a floor to noodles to get the same response, “no”. Back to the basement for McDonald’s – the line was out the door. The three of us looked at each other and decided to go home for lunch. By the time we got home, it began to snow and the girls had fun playing in the snow. See the post, Let it Snow
We are home for a total of 10 days – in 10 days Eleri can making a mess with her making. I didn’t want to clean the coffee table every night, therefore, I decided she needed a making corner – Eleri’s making corner! This way her making mess stays contained in the corner.
On Saturday, Eleri went down to Sophie’s house all afternoon. Eleri and Sophie stated an imovie in the fall. They spent the day finishing the movie. It was really cute. It is a “Sophie imovie”, directed by Sophie and staring Eleri.
Saturday night was the Chinese traditional family night during CNY. Fireworks/fire crackers began after dark and continued until 1am. In the complex, the sounds echos off the buildings. It is fun to see the fireworks over the river. However, after awhile, we just turn the tv up louder to finish watching our movie.
Sunday night we had a lovely dinner at the Jenkins. No photos as we were enjoying our friends, the Jenkins, the Bishops and the Gandys. The kids had fun playing together.
Avery stayed the night Sunday and Monday which made Emersyn all smiles for a double night sleepover. The girls had fun being girls. They made glitter gel from Eleri’s spa kit, made ice lollies, played in the garden with Roxi, had a fashion show and “hung out”.
 Emersyn & Avery
 Fashion Girls
On Tuesday, Faith needed to come to get Avery so it was a perfect day for a long lunch at WFC. We went to Sophie and Eleri’s favorite, Din Tai Feng, for dumplings. We sat and talked until 4pm – a perfect slow day during our stay-cation.
Tuesday late afternoon around 6pm, Emersyn wanted to try to make fire. She needs to be able to make fire with a flint on her Kunming mountain trip. Eagle Scout Jim and Emmy made fire in a flower pot on the deck. Eleri and I gathered the smore makings – if there is a fire, we must have smores – dessert before dinner!
EVERY night is popcorn night with a movie.
Eleri spent two days putting legos together. Mr. Nie has given the girls lego sets in the past as a CNY gift. Eleri was happy to put them all together.
On Wednesday, Emersyn wanted to make fire one more time. This time Jim and Emersyn made fire in the afternoon when it was warmer. Emersyn had no prolbem making fire with a flint, therefore, she will be ready for her adventure trip in March.
Of course, we had the smores ready and waiting for the flames of the fire.
Valentine’s Day was on Thursday during our stay-cation. Having Valentine’s Day during CNY takes away the fun at school for the girls – no valentines to share with friends and no cupcakes at school. The girls did get a box of chocolates to start the day off right.
The girls and I made cookies in the afternoon. We all enjoyed the cookie dough and hot cookies from the oven.
We had a Valentine’s dinner at the coffee table – our dining spot during this stay-cation enjoying a movie.
Friday night was dinner at Faith’s house. I love going to Faith’s for dinner. Faith is from the South and she knows how to cook. We all rolled out of Faith’s house that night with full tummies!
Saturday was a Kerry Center day. Jim had to work Saturday and Sunday. The Chinese always do this funny swapping of weekend working with holiday time. Jim doesn’t generally work the swapped weekends, but we were in town so he made his appearance. We met Jim for lunch at the Blue Frog – the best burgers in town. The girls and I enjoyed a little nail time at the Dragon Fly. Emersyn wanted to have nice nails for MUN next weekend. The only problem is it is now more expensive as Emersyn is full price. Eleri is still half price. After nails and a little shopping, we were meeting the gang for skating. For the first time, the Kerry Center has a small rink set up outside – we thought we should give it a go. It really wasn’t an ice rink, but plastic sheets put together. It cost 40rmb ($6) for 1-hour. While the kids were skating, the parents had a drink in The Brew. No one was drinking too much as we all drank too much at Faith’s last night.
 Emersyn, Eleri, Riley & Avery
 Emersyn, Sean & Avery
The kids said it wasn’t that fun so we won’t be going back.
We enjoyed the last Sunday hanging at home while Jim worked the morning. We didn’t go on a big adventure, but we enjoyed hanging together as a family. Sometimes with our busy schedules, it is nice to just be at home.
Average Rating: 5 out of 5 based on 168 user reviews.
Permalink A light snow began on Thursday, but not cold enough as the day was both rain and snow. On Friday later afternoon, it snowed! Mr. Nie had said if it snows on Chinese New Year, it is very lucky – so it must be a lucky year.
Eleri and Roxi went out on the deck as soon as a bit of snow began to accumulate on the deck. Emersyn was in her room reading – watching, but not enough to pull her away from her book.
However, when more snow had built up, Emersyn was ready to play with Eleri and Roxi
The girls made the deck their “skating rink”.
The Shanghai skyline at dusk with the snow fall.
It is always fun taking a photo from the 29th floor as the snow falls.
Eleri made a snowman with Jim just as we were coming in for dinner. We had our usually pizza dinner from LaCasbah. We ordered just in time as they were closing for the week. it was too dark to get a photo until the next day…with beautiful blue skies!
Eleri was very proud of her little snowman.
Average Rating: 4.6 out of 5 based on 236 user reviews.
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