Cannon Climbing!

Sometimes everyone just needs a nap. Today was that kind of day. Not that it was a bad day, but many little folks (our 2 topping the list) are just exhausted. I am torn between “making the most of our time in China” and letting them recover. I also realize that if they don’t get the rest they need, that no one has much fun, especially mommy! So A and A are napping, after a little protest from each of them.

The park we visited was pretty much another park with beautiful scenery and Chinese architecture and old people playing hacky-sack – lots of them! Good for them – they are exercising (dancing, tai-chi, etc) and just being outside enjoying the weather. We dressed the girls alike this morning, but got no real pics of them, because it was a bit chilly outside today and we put their jackets on them. We were all pretty tired at the park, so we all mainly talked and let the kids run and play. They had so much fun just running and chasing and climbing on an ancient cannon! This is almost our whole group (3 families didn’t come this AM): Jorja, Alaina, Ally, Elizabeth, Peter, Catherine, Garrett and Cole (new kiddos in bold). So, when there is nothing else to do, go climb on a cannon with your new friends!

Apparently, we are good to go with the US Consulate – Rebecca went to turn in all of our paperwork this morning while we were at the park and there were no “problems”. That is a big relief for me, since we are still on that “guinea pig” status with our 800! YEAH! That means we can keep her!

So, on to Alaina and her adjustment… as soon as we got to the park, the whining began. She again refused to hold my hand, but we pushed through it (not always pretty) and she had fun. The whiner would reappear from time to time, but I chose the “I don’t hear that” option and it seemed to snap her out of it pretty quickly each time. Whining is the one thing that just about gets me, so I have to nip this before it becomes a “lovely habit”! I knew that she felt fine and that nothing was hurting her, because she would run and jump and play, laughing all the way. When it was time to walk on with the group, she would whine. We didn’t take the stroller for ANY of the kids because there were a lot of stairs to climb. She is also not very fond of sitting on her bottom while on the bus, but she is learning. I’m sure a booster seat in the car will be a delight the first few times!!!

We did a little shopping and got a quick lunch at Lucy’s with Lori and Kaili (from Kunming) and came back for naps! Our red couch picture is tonight – that was a big part of my motivation for the little ones to nap. Sara and Doug went back to one of the markets in town (jade, I think). Lauren and Ally are asleep in the next room and Alaina and I are in our room. After the pics, we are going on a dinner cruise with the group – I am very much looking forward to that, since we didn’t do that last time!

Despite my wishes (I know, what was I thinking?), we had to buy another suitcase. The girls are realizing that this is likely their last time to come to China (maybe they will come again to adopt themselves – that is another post!), so they are trying to get the things that they didn’t get last time! A and A would buy every toy, but are OK to leave with nothing. We got them each a few silk dresses, T’s and purses. Alaina guards her purse, which has some yuan in it, like a hawk! She even has it with her in the bed, I think!