It's Christmas Time in the USA....and everywhere BUT China

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas......at least in the rest of the world.  Today is Christmas Eve, December 24th here in China and you wouldn't know it by the looks of things.  Everyone is still working, there aren't 50 people in the office that all asked for this week off work to do traditional holiday activities or to finish the shopping, gift wrapping and baking but just a normal day around these parts.  While the weather outside is a bit frightful, around 40 degrees, and for us Arizonian's that is COLD! it is just winter time here in Changzhou.  You see people bundled up in the layers and jackets, babies and toddlers in at least 3-4 layers walking around town, riding scooters, etc.  But while baby it's cold outside, it still isn't quite Christmas.  

We spent the last weekend in Shanghai hoping to get into the Christmas spirit and show Blake Santa Clause.  We ended up meeting two Santa's one legit the other a Chinese kid dressed up with good intentions of handing out treats to all the little girls and boys at the play house Christmas party we attended; but he wasn't Santa.  Most of you saw the photos on FB or Instagram but I'll post them here too for a good laugh.  Blake wasn't impressed by the Chinese Santa!  Believe it or not, while there are a lot of decorations in Shanghai, there really aren't a lot of Christmas activities even for the expat community.  In addition, there was no where to go and get your photo with Santa like at home, no long lines of fussy kids, no paying $30 for one photo, nothing!  So we ate at some yummy restaurants, actually met another American family and enjoyed our time in the big city.

Grace is doing well, she is growing fast and although she is short for her age she is gaining weight just fine and the doctor was very happy with her at the one month check up.  She is very alert and likes to look around at lights and faces that are close up.  Blake is always looking for the baby and gives her kisses 10 times a day, it is very cute how much he loves his sister!

You better watch out, you better not pout, you better not cry.....but there is no matzo meal in China! :(  I haven't had any luck finding matzo meal so no latkes for this family on Hanukkah.  I will bring some back with us from our trip home so next year we can make some yummy latkes!  

Since Brian has to work all week (Including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day), Santa Clause isn't coming to town... until Saturday.  Since the kids are so young we figured we could get away with it this year and maybe next year without them realizing that its not the "real" Christmas Day.  We have some small gifts for Blake this year, but nothing too big since we are still in an apartment.  I have a feeling the Christmas after we move home might include some large gifts like outdoor play equipment, or bikes, something we don't have a garage or backyard to store here.  But until then we will still have a family Christmas, open gifts, enjoy a yummy breakfast, and then we are having a turkey dinner.  Since the stores in Shanghai and Hong Kong had turkeys for Thanksgiving I bought an extra for Christmas dinner.

Blake and I have been watching some Christmas movies such as Elf, Santa Clause and the Polar Express for some holiday cheer!  He really loves the train in the Polar Express, I can't wait to take him on the train ride in Williams for Christmas when we return home, he will LOVE it! Dashing through the snow.......

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle.....what?  here are some of the random photos i have on my phone from the past month since i last posted.  I have now been getting out a little more with the kids, Blake is out of school for a 3 week winter break so we are trying to get out of the house a few days a week.  A strange new burger/sausage sandwich at McDonald's and a few baby items, not sure what to do with baby olive oil or baby frostbite cream.....hmmmmm.

From our family to yours, we Wish you A Merry Christmas, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, We wish you a Merry Christmas.....and a Happy New Year.

Love,
Brian, Lindsay, Blake and Grace