A much needed break!

Just a quick update to let everyone know that we are heading off to Poland for a week to visit with Sev's family- they have never met Audrey and only saw Grace once when she was 3 months old! After Poland, we will take a short flight to Florence, Italy where we will rendezvous with my family for a week. We plan to eat and drink our way through Tuscany.
Needless to say, if you haven't heard about the "children's virus" sweeping through China, we are anxious to get out of here for awhile. Although not normally life threatening, a version of this virus has already killed 30 kids and the first case in Shanghai was just reported this week. At Grace's school, every child has to show their hands, get a fever check, and a mouth inspection before entering the classroom. The symptoms are similar to hand, foot, and mouth with blisters on hands and inside mouth but this version can develop into meningitis. Anyway, we picked a good time for vacation...

More random stuff from around town

I usually try to have a theme to each entry but I have some interesitng pictures from around town (and of the kids) that I wanted to share. And for those of you who haven't heard, we have signed on for another year in Shanghai which means we will be heading back to the US for good in summer of 2009. What that means to all you faithful readers out there is that you will get another year of my blog (lucky you) and you still have time to come visit us here in China! So far only my parents have made the trek so come on, what are you waiting for? Don't you want to see split pants up close and personal?

Anyway, enjoy the pictures:

Hey, not sure what to do with your Easter basket after the holiday? Just turn it into a hard hat!

A lovely shot of a lugar on our car windshield. Courtesy of a bus driver who didn't look (or care) before he spit. Our driver wanted to go after him but the street was too narrow to turn around- thankfully!

Some interesting menu translations- still not sure what this one is but I am positive it isn't camel.

How about baby's dish of iron plate?

Audrey likes to sit (but not go) on her potty.

Hmm, let me check-yep, still nothing.

Grace on a field trip to the fire station- she got to try on a uniform.

Grace and some classmates trying out the fire hose.