Photobomb!

Erin thought she was taking a nice picture of sleepy Aidan. She didn't realize until a few days later that Emma was in the background.

Zoo Day!

We went to the zoo today and Aidan set a hard pace. He grabbed a map and knew exactly where he wanted to go (we directed him while he pretended to consult the map).

Summer in Shanghai vs. Dubai

Since our shipment won't arrive until October (due to residency visa processing) I have been putting together a list of what we need to pack so we'll have clothes once we get to Shanghai. I looked up what the seasonal weather was like, hoping I only had to pack summer clothes.

From the Shanghai site

Shanghai, you are so cute. Highs around 95 F during your hottest months?

 

We haven't even really hit the summer highs yet, either.

When you're trying to do 50 things at once

This is just today

• You forget it's your week to work on the Handbook
• You forget to leave 100 DHS in the bank account for a particular fee, then have to wait in line forever to deposit the money so the bank can charge you and close your account.
• You forget to turn in school picture money, 2 days in a row
• Briefly freak out because the movers HAVE SHOWN UP 10 DAYS EARLY and you think you have to move now! (Nope, they realized the moving date was the 19th, not the 9th, and they didn't make you pack up early.)
• When you do remember to turn in the picture money and the new field trip permission slip and money, you actually turn in your bank account closing paper work that you were supposed to give to the secretary.
• You go back that afternoon to turn in money, order forms, and permission slips and get your paperwork back.
• Turn in your bank paperwork only to find out that once again you've forgotten to turn in the forwarding address forms.
• Go home, put the kids to bed, have a glass of wine.

Summer flights!

After much arguing with Expedia (will NEVER use them again) we finally have everything figured out. Woohoo!

See the whole break down under Tour Dates. 

The Move and gifts for the kids

Due to taxes and the extended time it holds up a shipment, we will not be shipping any kind of electronics to China. This means anything we want to keep (toys, curling iron, iPod) must be carried with us and packed in our luggage. We can't even ship battery operated toys, we will be taxed on what the customs officials believe the original purchase price of the item was. Granted toys won't incur a hefty tax, but it will hold up our shipment for a few additional weeks. Since we're shipping the bulk of our clothing and household items, we don't want to wait any longer than necessary for our shipment. Therefore our luggage is going to be fairly full on our way back to the States. While we plan to pick up a new suitcase or two, we would ask that you not get any large or bulky gifts for the kids.

Clothing:
Clothes will be fine, no limits since we will have 4 seasons for the first time in 10 years!! Emma is wearing a 3T now, so consider getting 3T or 4T clothes. Aidan wears a 6T in pants and shirts, but 7T shirts will also work. Aidan still has a tiny waist, so elastic waist bands on pants are great, but not a must.

Toys:
Toys are fine, especially since we're getting rid of a lot of them before moving. Something that would be easy to pack and doesn't have a lot of pieces would be great. Emma really likes the Aquadoodle and Crayola Wonder markers and pads. These can generally be found at toy stores, on Amazon, and Crayola Wonder can be found at Target as well. Emma has started getting into dress up play, but if you're considering getting her something like that, second hand or inexpensive items are probably best. She's still pretty rough with her things. Aidan still likes the usual, but is branching out into Play Dough sets, Legos, construction toys, submarines, and action figures. He LOVES Ben 10 and Jake and the Neverland Pirates. Aidan has started to enjoy coloring more, so a coloring book and crayons/markers would also go over well.

Both kids enjoy books, board books are best for Emma - they'll last longer.

Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo with Grandma

Dubai celebrated Jackie's arrival with a sandstorm.

View from the living room

Since it was gross out we decided to go to the Dubai Mall and visit the aquarium.  Everyone else in Dubai had the same idea. It was really, really crowded. The kids had a good time even though they couldn't run free or see all of the exhibits.

Aidan points out interesting things to Puppy

She really wants to explore on her own