Shanghai bound!

Patrick and I signed contracts with Shanghai Community International School, we will be working at their Hongqiao Campus. We are so excited and can't wait to start our family's next adventure.

We don't have our final dates yet, but we know this will be a tight summer. DAA doesn't get out until June 25th, and we expect to fly out some time that night or the next morning. (Normally Patrick would be required to work a few extra days because of his position, but since the school is buying our tickets home he doesn't think he'll be expected to stay longer.) We anticipate having to report to work in Shanghai the last week in July, but might be flown out a week earlier to get the kids settled and hire a nanny. Again, not sure, but that's what they've done with other families in the past.

China considers electronics and furniture luxury items and heavily taxed if shipped in. We will be selling all of our furniture and electronics here and carrying in some of our smaller devices and external hard drives. Our carry on and checked luggage are limited so please do not get the kids any toys that can't be packed in a suitcase.

China has seasons! Yeah!!! The kids have one pair of pants each, boo... Instead of toys, even though those are the fun things to shop for, we would prefer winter and fall clothes. Things are going on sale now and I've been taking advantage of that myself.

Emma

SIZES - good Lord, this kid is tall and built like a bowling ball. She is 2 years and 4 months and wearing 3T clothes! I've been picking up 4T stuff for next fall/winter. Please don't get her any shoes, she has really wide and round feet, she must try everything on before we buy it.

TOYS - She loves huggable stuffed animals or rag dolls. She's been really interested in cooking  or dish toys, so a small tea set might be nice.

Aidan

SIZES - This child is so skinny. I paid extra money for adjustable waist jeans and got them in the skinny style (which I really don't care for) in hopes that they would stay on. I've set the waist as small as it will go and the still slip off. Luckily skinny jeans are tight so they don't slip past his thighs. 6T-7T is a safe bet for shirts but 6T is probably best for pants.

TOYS - Not much has changed, planes and cars are still really popular. He does like Ben 10 a lot and dinosaur or spaceship toys and books also go over well.