Pack 88 Pinewood Derby

This Saturday was the big day for the scouts Pinewood Derby.  Landon's car took 6th place out of 24 in his age group and missed the finals by only 2/10ths of a second.  Each car raced 4 heats and his won two races and came in second in two races.  Dad worked in the pit crew staging the cars for the races as well as being a "weigh in" inspector on Friday night before the big race. 

Cynthia missed the big race and instead went to have her hair cut and colored which involves several hours and lots of pampering but she really deserves it and now she looks absolutely amazing!  Not that she didn't look amazing before - okay I am digging a hole here so I will just stop.  Her birthday is this Monday and we are planning an evening out on The Bund.  We have reservations at "M on the Bund"  You know that a restaurant with only one letter for a name has got to be very chic!  Should be a good time and we are both looking forward to it.

A new family member

Well, we have added to the number of Smith family members - this time it is a canine brother named DiDi.  DiDi is the Chinese word for "younger brother".  I am not sure how we arrived at this point but I must have had a moment of weakness during which the family took advantage of my reduced mental state to convince me of the need for a dog.  We got DiDi from a rescue here in Shanghai which many expatriates have recommended.  DiDi is a mix between a Pekingese and a Chou which makes him either a Chou-kinese or a Peke-chou.  Regardless he is very cute and very stout.  He has the long hair and ears of a Pekinese but the body, nose and coloring of a Chou.  He also has the thick midsection and solid legs of a Chou.  He is 1-1/2 years old and has been in foster care since he was found one year ago.  He has been with us for a couple days and arrived while I was on a business trip - therefore when I came home he was very leery of "the new guy" and is still warming up to me.  Landon is the "master" and has taken responsibility for DiDi.  Cynthia is the "Mama dog" and has spent the most time with him and he is very comfortable around both of them.  So begins another chapter in our Shanghai chronicles.