Fisrt Birthday in China

Today I turned 32. It was a little hard to be away from family and friends, but Dustin, the boys and the drivers (we have two now--driver Tom, who will be our driver from now on, and his trainer driver Vincent--Tom only needs a trainer because he just moved to the City from Shenzen and does not know it well) greeted me with many well wishes.
We headed out early this morning in our attempt to go to IKEA and Carefour for more items and be back by 3pm for the painter. Dustin found a new Starbucks near our house, and had the drivers take me there first thing. I was so happy, mostly because I was exhausted as we have not been able to find coffee to brew at home, and because the Starbucks is within walking distance to our community. (I can get exercise and get my coffee fix).
We arrived at the IKEA to find out that we were too early, so we went over to the Carefour in Gubei (we were planning on going to a different one later). We were able to find such items as our electric toothbrush, and a mattress pad and towels. Dustin and I were so happy to have the mattress pad as the bed is literally like sleeping on a rock--there is absolutely no give at all. Interestingly, the sofas and chairs are the same way--stuffed to the point that there is no cushion or give to it. The drivers explained that this is a sign of wealth--i.e.--you can afford more stuffing, so it is worth more.
After loading the car to its almost maximum level, we headed over to IKEA. We were able to pick up more hangers, wastebaskets, and kitchen items here. We also stopped to get another hot dog for lunch. Danny was given a ceramic flute type instrument from a nice Chinese man (fairly well to do for chinese stardards). When we finished with IKEA we headed home to drop off an exhausted Dustin (he just loves to shop so much) to do work and wait for the painter. The boys, drivers and I continued on to the Carefour near our house. This Carefour is the closest and we are able to take just surface streets to get to it. I was quite pleased with the trip and feel that I will be able to manage in the stores without Dustin's ability to speak limited Chinese. The drivers were extremely nice and helped entertain the boys, locate items in the store and helped me to put produce and meats into bags.
When we arrived home, flowers had been sent to me from one of Dustin's co-workers that I had met when she traveled to the US last July. They are beautiful pink roses and star gazers with other extremely fragrant white flowers (not sure what these are). As the painter was still working, and the floors and other surfaces in the house were covered in dust, the boys and I bundled up and went to the park. On our way out of the building we met a nice women and her daughter. They welcomed us to the building and were very friendly. Danny enjoyed taking the paths that wind their way to the park (and throughout the community). They go up and down and curve all over. Danny also enjoyed playing at the park and we got to see a lot of kids coming home from school with their moms or Ayi (translated Auntie--means maid--extremely common here as their salary is extremely inexpensive and it helps families learn the language better).
By the time we got home the walls were finally looking normal--no hole or nail every two feet or crazy stickers. We went to dinner at the clubhouse or as Danny called it--my birthday party. We rode the elevator down with another one of our neighbors, from Finland. He was heading to the clubhouse to pick up his 9 year old daughter from gymnastics class.
The clubhouse was great to see on a Friday night, as there were families everywhere. Kids were hanging out with their friends and parents were standing around or sitting visiting with each other. It looked like a barbecue at a friends house, nothing like a fancy tennis club. We had a nice meal returning to the house for ice cream cake Dustin picked up for me from Dairy Queen, and presents of delicious smelling bath products. (Dustin told me later that he had the drivers take him all over yesterday in search of a birthday gift--I guess thedrivers were a little confused until he told them he was looking for something for my birthday).
Overall, it was a better birthday than I expected, and filled with love from my wonderful husband, and boys and phone calls and skyping with family.