We have been quite merry here today on a beautiful sunny Christmas Day..we actually got up before the kids this year, since we had them out so late last night. Above is the outpouring of gifts from all over...so wonderful and exciting for the kids -- who I think had not been sure what to expect..
Sophia was covered in chocolate within about 4 minutes of waking up...
Sophia and her gingerbread puzzle.
Helen with the art set of her dreams. Santa brought her an electronic piano, which after one day is clearly going to be a burden for the ears of the family, as is Sophia's xylophone. At least Thomas's new crop of video games and books keeps him out of my hair for a while!
I found Michael the perfect Chinglish-esque shirt here - it has the name of our alma mater on it --University of Detroit. Wrong colors, and the patches are from Dickinson and Iona College in New Rochelle New York. Had to have it -- just too strange to pass up. Of course he got some other stuff, too :)
Thomas is delighted with the size and shape of this box which her guessed might contain the long awaited Heroscape game.
I was delighted with a tea set for "everyday use" here -- as well as my Tibetan bracelet.
We hosted the Christmas Day dinner for a few friends -- our neighbors who are leaving tomorrow for America :( as well as our friends Roger, who is teaching English in the business school at Xiada this year. It was a decent meal, I think, especially the eggplant Parmesan that Michael made in the new toaster oven.
Roger in his role as honorary grandparent...
The hardest moment today was hanging up the call with my parents this morning...it was Christmas Eve for them and Grandpa read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" to all the grandkids over the Skype (web based calling with video) and it reminded us how much we really do miss everyone -- just too busy to notice usually. But after a walk on the beach our dinner preparations began, the kids were busy with their toys, and we made our own circle of friendship and love here in China in honor of the day. Tomorrow Kate and Deborah are leaving in the morning, and Deborah and I can hardly look at each other without tearing up, so I think it will be a hard parting.
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