Leading up to our departure from the States

In between packing up the apartment (and selling furniture whilst our children slept - see another post) and getting our visas organised for China, we were trying to keep Alex and Sebastien's schedules somewhat normal. While saying goodbye to lots of people.
Alex didn't have preschool over the summer - and Mummy now knows to schedule a full day's activities instead of several half days. Instead Alex attended Swingsetters Monday and Wednesday mornings and Art Smart Kids (with Miss Pam - above) Tuesday and Thursday mornings. I've never seen so much art and craft produced! I'll devote a post to that later. Sebastien loved taking Alex to ASK because we actually went into the building (Swingsetters was a drop off and pick up where the staff buckled Alex into the car) - and he really developed a love of the playarea!
We also went to our weekly Econ BBQ at various places around town - a much needed break from all the sorting, selling, packing and dumping.
Mummy even got nature in on the action as we used a handy Orchard Downs tree as an easel for some full-on handpainting. One chinese grandmother from the next building appeared horrified that Alex was using her Petstravaganza t-shirt as a smock (read smearing her paint-loaded hands all over it).
Alex borrowed an abandoned bike and, although the rear tyre inner-tube was completely flat - such that the wheel would spin in the tyre with no traction, she managed quite well thank you - so here she is with the training wheels. Maybe we'll look at getting her something in China.
It was time to introduce Sebastien to the indoor playarea at the Mall - big sister wanted to show how everything is done. Thankfully we picked a time when the larger kids, that aren't meant to be in the playarea, weren't there.
I introduced Alex to the joys of couponing - something that isn't at all widespread in Australia. Check out the size of that smile - and why not, with free nailpolish (except tax) and a free cookie (that she got to choose the design of) from Cookies by Design, she was pretty happy with her day.
She no longer had "excursions" to Victory Park - just across the road from her preschool.

But we did manage to sneak in a few more visits to the Urbana Free Library.
Best of all were the daily (Mon - Thurs) afternoon swimming lessons at the Urbana Indoor Aquatic Center. Alex started in Goldfish, and after four weeks advanced to Sunfish. By the time we left, she was very comfortable floating on her front and back (with help), making icecream scoop hands, and kicking (though the straight legs will come later). I was quite happy with the teacher/child ratio as for two of the seasons she was in a 2:3 group.
We had a lot of support from friends in the lead up to our departure - many offers of playdates and sleepovers plus some much enjoyed meals. Although Alex said "China is a long way away." and "We're going to China - my friends will miss me - they might cry." I don't think she really knew what moving to China entailed. One friend, Emaline, moved to the other side of the States earlier in the year and Alex still asked whether she could come over for a playdate.

Success with our two "garage" sales - Brett worked like a dog to clean the apartment before we left (thanks doesn't cover it) - and we had everything worked out...except how to get from C-U to Chicago...with 7 pieces of luggage, two car seats, a double stroller and eight pieces of hand luggage...

A good story starts...

...in the middle. OK, now I know that for a good OC person such as myself, this is going to drive me insane, but I am simply too far behind to start "at the beginning". So I will drive myself crazy by posting from today (Sunday 31 August) onwards, as well as "back-posting" to fill in details.

So please bear with me - as otherwise I would not be posting for a long, long time.

Such a lot has happened - today was the orientation morning for Alex (or Gao Ya Li - her chinese name) at her new preschool. We turned up at 8am (having left the apartment at 7.15am to catch the bus) for her "test" - which for her didn't consist of much, just some questions for her about knowing where she lives - "Australia", what her parents' names are "Alyssa and - what's Daddy's name mummy?", whether she can dress herself etc etc.

Here is Alex the day before when we did a practice run to make sure we'd get to the Xiada on time.

We arrived a little early so Alex and Sebastien played in the courtyard playarea.

Alex with the big dolphin (though it's some type of fish) and Sebastien everywhere else...

She was then shown around the classroom by her three teachers (who speak a little english) and then played whilst other children arrived for their tests. The idea was for her to at least have the opportunity to meet half the class and play for a while - perhaps engaging with someone - instead of us leaving immediately.Alex's favourite activity has always been - and appears to continue to be - "housekeeping"
(as it was known in her US preschool).

I managed to get some photos of the room where they sleep - 30 little bamboo mats on two levels. Not sure how much sleeping happens.

Alex did like the stairs - so I'm sure we'll hear about where she ends up "sleeping".

Sebastien worked out where his sister's slippers were (the reason for inside and outside shoes becomes oh-so-clear once one has walked around the streets for a while) and promptly tried to eat them - just like at home!

So Gao Ya Li (henceforth known as Ya Li) will start preschool at Xiada kindergarten at the university with a smattering of chinese - hello, goodbye, please, thankyou and three.

Whilst she was being shown around, we checked it out a little too - since we will not be allowed in the classroom for a little while to help maximize her adjustment in "immersion chinese".

The Xiada has several playgrounds - here is one that I saw from the balcony (hence the bars). I couldn't get the play equipment properly as it was behind the trees, and the swimming pool was down the very back (not sure whether it is in use).

This looks to be a water-play area with lots of channels and dams plus a little bridge.

I did manage to get the concrete slide that ends in a sand-pit - not sure how well it works.In the background you can see the sea - the Xiada is on the top of a bluff and so catches the sea breeze. This grass is typical for the area - some time I will photograph the workers cutting and taking it away at the university!

There are a few more areas but I did not want to venture too far away from the main action.

So tomorrow is the big day. Daddy takes the bus and walks with Alex to the Western Gate of the university and puts her on the Xiada school bus - which leaves at 7.40am. He will collect her from the same place at 5.10pm. A long day indeed - and probably a good thing that they have a 2 hour nap after lunch!

More after tomorrow.

Your voices have been heard

I know, I know - it's practically the end of August and I haven't updated the blog. I have some posts to be uploaded over the weekend - Brett willing (to look after the terrors).

I am also getting some video together of our new home - and will shortly have the address available in Mandarin characters.

Anyway - just wanted you to know that it is coming. Just have to do some kindergarten/preschool orientation for Alex first.

So many posts, so little time!

Well we are leaving C-U in a little over 3 days...and in the midst of packing. I have several (actually, in truth, many) half finished posts. But I guess now you will all have to wait to see whether I can make it work from behind the great firewall of China!

Deep breath!