Our last week

Our last week has been busy, and any number of things could have been blog posts in and of themselves. (Maybe they still will be.)

Here's what we've been up to in the last week or so:

Bea's birthday; breakfast in bed; ice cream cake to school; broken stove top; broken shower; and request for a birthday dinner of spaghetti (which had to be a restaurant because of the uncooperative gas rings).

Planning a birthday party for 8 little people five and under. Dealing with workers. And a new ayi. (The workers arrive to fix/evalutate/gawk at broken appliances and tell me what I already know... they are broken and need to be replaced.)

Preparing for grandparents, (Did I mention this was preparing for a party potentially sans stove top, and for guests despite the fact our shower was leaking all over the floor.)

Calling Friday about the furniture that should be delivered Saturday (in time for the party Sunday). Only to learn that it wouldn't arrive until Monday. And when they came Monday they forgot several pieces that they can't deliver until Thursday (which in Chinese culture means Friday... a whole week after I originally called to check up on things!)

Running an "American style" garage sale out of our Chinese garage, dealing with more workers, decorating little lady bug cupcakes, picking up my parents from the airport, having a Bug themed party with eight of the cutest and busiest in the expat five and under set, enjoying watching my parents meet Bei Bei's friends.

Sending everyone to school and work Monday morning, only to bust the girls out at noon for time with their grands, and lunch @ Lisa's Pizza, and a game of Life @ home (our hope to fly kites... the iconic spring past time in Qingdao foiled by the cold temps and rain) ...