Unfortunately, the spring-like weather did not last and we are back to cold and rainy :(
So this past week was "book week" for the primary school. They had a book fair, a reading contest and on Friday the kids were encouraged to dress up as their favourite book character. The kids went on a "character hunt" around the school based on clues. Various teachers were dressed up and signed the kids' sheets as they were found. Abigail really enjoyed it. She dressed up as Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter series. We are very big Potter fans at the Smith house. Here she is with her friend Tabitha (who, very obviously, is dressed as the Cat in the Hat)
Abigail has had a new teacher for the past 2 weeks. Her previous teacher had a baby girl a couple of days ago. I don't think she will be returning before the end of the year so she will finish the year with Ms.Milana, a young American who is new this year like us. She seems very nice. Tabitha was moved to the same class with Abby so the transition wasn't too tough. This is Abby with Ms.Milana - she was dressed as the paper bag princess ( from a Robert Munsch book).
The costumes were really great. It is quite common, as I'm sure you have heard, for visitors to China to have clothing custom made. It is very cheap and fast. You just take a picture, pick out your material and get measured. For many expats it is a necessity since many of us do not fit into Chinese sizes! Anyway, it is also very easy to have costumes made. Everyone goes to "wedding street" which is an area where you can find everything from wigs, crazy props and cheap make up to beautiful bridal gowns, cocktail dresses and evening gowns. Mark and I are going to a James Bond themed birthday party tonight so I went to wedding street with Abigail and some other teachers yesterday after school. I was assuming I could just wear something from my closet but was told otherwise! Anyway, I will post pictures tomorrow so you can see the whole get up.So it looks like I will be taking another maternity leave position to finish out the school year. This time I will be teaching Primary PE! I'm really excited about it. I have over 6 years experience working in children's fitness programs so this will be very comfortable for me. I'm already doing the morning fitness program so am getting to know the kids in the primary school. I won't have Abigail, but I think that is for the best. So I will start in a couple of weeks and finish out the school year with that position.
Better run,.... is it weird that I'm cleaning the apartment for the babysitter??
lots of love from Suzhou!
........have fun at Disney Truros, kiss those boys for us!
