Good evening from China.
What a day.
Lauryn had a wonderful day today. She is giggling a lot! She is making faces and having a great old time.
We had breakfast and boarded the bus for a very busy day. We have two guides in Beijing. Fay and Vivean. They are wonderful girls. They explained so much about the city today. Beijings traffic is so heavy that there are still restrictions on who can drive when. The weekends, everyone can drive. However, during the week it's restricted. Monday people's license plates starting with one and ending with 8 are allowed to drive, Tuesday 2 and 7.... and so on. Can you imagine?
We started our day in a major traffic jam. No surprise! Then we headed to the Jade factory! WOW! it's just beautiful. I guess there is a time honoured tradition to choose a piece of Jade for your child. Kyle and I chose a laughing Budda for Lauryn. Wow! It was pretty special. We got to do some shopping and got some great stuff.
We then headed to the great wall. This is the only thing that I wanted to see. I was in awe. It's so big. The stairs are so steep and the walk was incredible. Poor Kyle had Lauryn strapped to him. The faster he moved, the more behind I got! Poor guy. I gave him shit for walking so far ahead! LOL! Guess I forget that he has a little weight... dead weight strapped to him!
We were at the great wall for about two hours. On our way back down, this woman came out of no where and started kissing lauryn, then they made us pose for pictures! They all had to take turns with us. It was hysterical! They love Lauryn. Lauryn was only to happy to participate! Cutie!
It was really very cool, and a sight that I will never forget. We took a ton of pics!
Back on the bus and headed to the friendship store for lunch. I am pleased to report that lunch was crazy good. We had vegetables... believe it or not, I have missed broccoli and carrots and just good plain food! It was great. Lauryn cracked us up. She had a piece of broccoli in one had and a french fry in the other. After lunch we headed to the friendship store basement and there was more shopping. LOTS and LOTS. They actually have chinese prices and white prices... go figure!
Boarded the bus again and went to the olympic grounds. Glad to have had the chance to see it. Kyle got off the bus, and Lauryn and I just stayed put. It was very hot and she was comfy and playing with an empty bottle. Kyle came back with a gold medal! His first bardering (sp??) experience and he won! 10 yuan! The vendor wanted 25! LOL!
Finally back at the hotel. Kyle is upstairs with Lauryn and she is happily playing with her stacking cups and Elmo cell phone. Kyle and I are exhausted and both have a cold. She couldn't be happier with all her toys and just playing.
When I was done emailing yesterday I went back to the room and all of Lauryn's toys were all picked up. I thanked Kyle and he said that Lauryn did it. Sure enough she cleaned up all her toys and put them in the garbage can. I guess at the orphanage everyone had a job... they must of had bins to store their toys. To cute.
We gave her a bath yesterday and she sat down in the tub and giggled and splashed and put her face in the water. She is really starting to come into her own. She screamed when it was time to get out. ahhh.
I have been giving her a massage with baby cream after her bath. SHE LOVES IT! She was cooing and saying mama when I did it last night! Enough to make you melt!
Alright. All for now. Love you all, and we will talk to everyone soon.
Hope to get a chance to send more pictures soon.
Tomorrow is paper work finale! Busy morning and then just a hang out day. The group can go to the zoo, but we have decided to just have a hang out day. So looking forward to it!
Love to you from us!
Miss you xo
