Saturday X-Mas Party

This last Saturday, our compound hosted their annual Christmas party for the residents. Coming from our former residence Shanghai Centre (and associated with the 5 star Ritz-Carlton hotel), we didn't have quite as high hopes as our x-mas spread last year. It's a good thing or we would have been a little disappointed. The SC food was gourmet catered by the Ritz hotel. This year we had mayonaise and mystery meat triangle sandwiches, oreos, and crackers. It was all in good fun, though, and we realize that food at a party isn't really the main thing. At x-mas, it's SANTA! Santa at Ridgewood (our current compound) did come loaded with presents for the kiddos. We really must have lived here long enough because Bob and I weren't the least bit shocked to see a thin Chinese Santa arrive. Morgan still wasn't very impressed and refused to sit on his lap without mom's arm around her. Maybe it was that fake beard or pillow belly that came up a bit too high. Whatever it was, Morgan was in a hurry to get her present and get out of there!

The compound employees did try hard to make a nice party. To start and end the festivities, they sang Christmas songs karaoke style. The residents all joined in, and Morgan even clapped after every song. Morgan liked her gift from Santa - a miniature version of himself playing a saxaphone (a loud, tinny sound only Chinese toys seem able to accomplish), although she was often more intent on chewing it than playing with it since a tooth was coming in. Mom wasn't as impressed with the toy and has not allowed the sound to go back on since! Overall, we had a great time and appreciated our compound's efforts to make our x-mas season festive.