A Great Day!!!!

Today was such a fun day. We slept a little late which was very nice and then stayed in the room during our consulate appt. I tried to pick up this room a bit, but figured what's the use? There's no place to pick it up to!! I'll have to take a picture of it tomorrow. Most people take a picture of their room before they get in it and mess it all up. Oh no! Not me..you're going to get the real deal!!

This afternoon we rode the tour bus to Shaimen Island to do some shopping. They were only going to give us 2 hours (are you kidding me?!?!?!), so a group of us decided we would take a taxi back later. I am SO glad we did. We had a great time buying some more squeaky shoes and finding some new treasures. I still have a few yuan burning a hole in my pocket but don't know if we'll get back. I love GZ and not just because of the shopping ;) The weather is wonderful. (I've been in flip flops since we got here.) Honestly, I hardly feel like I'm in a foreign country any more. I think one reason is because we've been here for so long. Everything just feels normal...even brushing your teeth with water from the electric kettle. I've actually become quite fond of that electric kettle;) It sure helps when you're making noodles all the time! To be honest, I know I'll be happy to be home, but I wouldn't mind staying here for a while longer. I told Richard that and he looked at me like I'm crazy. He is stir crazy and is ready to get back to the real world!

Tonight a group of us went to Lucy's again. We sat outside and enjoyed the weather. It was great. We have really made some lifelong friendships on this trip. We feel so blessed to be with such great people. I got the grilled cheese which was suggested to me in the comments and it was very good! The funniest had to be when Wesleigh started chowing down on Richard's broccolli. Most dads bond with their daughters over icecream or sweets. Not mine...a big plate of broccolli!! He showed her how to use the fork to get it herself and she went to town. I told him he gets to change that diaper!! Hopefully it happens here in the room because I see a big blowout in my future if not!!

Miss W has done great today! She got in her stroller without crying and rode in it off and on the whole shopping trip! She also let Richard hold her without crying!! He spent a good bit of time with her while we were shopping because I was busy gathering my goods. There's a picture of her looking in the mirror of a jewelry box. She was too cute! It was a great evening. We wrapped it up by riding a taxi home. That is the experience of a lifetime! New York taxis have nothing on these guys!!!! They boys announced that they had never rode in a taxi before...what a way to start out! We did make it, but barely!

There's a picture of Cade and his new buddy Trey (and Trey's new sister). Cade and Trey were very happy to find each other as were we and Trey's parents. They have kept each other occupied and been having a great time. I'm also noticing that todays brother must be Braden. Braden has been Wesleigh's bath buddy every night so I had to get a picture of the two of them.. They are all so good with her, but he's got the most tender heart of them all. Last night when she kept smiling at us from her crib, he couldn't stand it. He said, "She's smiling at us, how can you not want to get her out?" Of course, we got her out and had a good time. She definitely has them all wrapped. What a life! She has 5 people at her service 24/7!!

Tomorrow morning we get to visit a kindergarten! I don't exactly know what we'll be doing, but I'm very excited to see it. I'm sure I'll have lots of pictures to share. The afternoon is our swearing ceremony at the consulate's office. It should be interresting because there's not much time in between for a nap. I've never seen Miss Wesleigh without a nap, so I'm praying she's one of those that will just fall asleep!! lol..yeah, right!! A girl can dream, can't she? I'll be sure and let you know!