Stomping in place

We spent the last week celebrating Labor Week here.  It’s not just a day, but a whole week of celebrating the labor and industry that makes China go and be.  It was a week of no school and hanging out.  I’m going to let the pics do more of the talking, but I will give some highlights.

First and foremost— I finally updated my shoes.  Not just one pair either.  Three pairs.  Found an outlet mall and great pricing.  I’ve ordered some laces and those should be arriving today (hopefully) so I can really have some fun with them.  I tried to use my old laces, but they aren’t long enough, so I upgraded a few pair of laces.  The nice part is, the old laces still fit a pair, so I can have some fun with one of them.

Kiddo also go a shoe upgrade.  She needed something that wasn’t trainers (sneakers for the US folk) and since she was with me, I picked her up some new kicks.

I had intended to browse for myself, even if it was just to size myself for next month or once the weather gets colder and I need to get some boots or something.  I’m not as big of a fan of Doc Marten’s as I once was, but that’s a blog post in and of itself; however, I’m not against them either.  I’d prefer Solovar, but I can’t get those here and it’s not worth it to buy and ship them in.  Besides, that would take months.  I saw these and Kiddo just lit up and loved them, so we tried them on.  They were a GREAT price, so I thought… why not.  Besides, I didn’t get Docs until I was old enough to buy them for myself and I always wanted a pair.  I live a little bit vicariously through Kiddo.  HA!

During the week off, a lot of the staff traveled.  We stayed home and just relaxed.  It’s been go, go, go since moving, so it was nice to have a week to just not.  A few others from the staff also stayed around LQ, but that was due to them being hobbled.  One just had a surgery.  The other busted up her ankle pretty bad and is on crutches.  So, we had a little soup party, since the weather is autumnal right now.  I made a batch of chicken noodle and it was a hit.  So much so, seconds were requested along with a container for home.  I happily provided both for all.  It was also nice to meet some of J’s co-workers and colleagues.  To share a meal with them.  We did, however, want to give the house a once over and make it tidy.  Kiddo pitched in.  

Kiddo and J had some park adventures while I was making stock and soup.  We are enjoying the seasonal weather.  Kiddo is enjoying the fashion and fluffs of it.

Kiddo also had a playdate with H and went over for dinner.  H and Kiddo are pretty close right now and I’m buds with her mum.  We’re even doing a Costco run together next week.  I’m gonna set her up with the other card we get.  J won’t use it, as I’m the Costco shopper, so I will share with H’s mum and family.  Before the playdate time, Kiddo had an hour of screen time to kill time.  As you can see, she is really good at being 7.  

We also, as a family, did a Costco run.  It was nice to restock some stuff.  I was also nice to get a throw blankie for the sofa.  It’s getting chilly and we keep the house open, for the most part, until it gets really cold, but sometimes you just need a snuggle up.  Kiddo and J had a bit of popcorn (one of my diverticulitis triggers, sadly) and read some Coraline and broke in the new blankie and just enjoyed the cuddle and fluff of it.

Other than that, we are back to school this week (started yesterday) and they will have a Saturday session to make up for the Monday off.  It’s a SMIC thing, don’t ask me.  Saturday is also yearbook photo day.  I can’t wait to see the pics.  Kiddo hates it.  Not only will it be Saturday school, but also a uniform day.  Plus, “all I do is smile.  I smile so much my face hurts.  I HATE picture day!”  She doesn’t have any strong feelings or anything.

Let’s go, Kiddo…. It’s a Saturday school week, but we’ll have some hotpot or tacos that night to make it up to you.  Keep being the coolest darn kid I know and keep being you.  You’re doing a great job of being 7, but also at transitioning to China, SMIC, and life in the second grade.  You have great friends and are really really doing some amazing and extraordinary things.  I love you.  Mumma loves you.  You are the stone that ripples the pond.  Remember that.