Monday, a capital day in Richmond

Ready for the journey home

It's Tuesday morning for us and we all packed except for a few things for the carry ons and Indigo is preparing for her big journey home by taking a nice morning nap. We have a final group lunch and then we check out and go to the U.S. consulate for the oath for the babies' citizenship and from there we go directly to the airport. Our flight doesn't leave until 9pm China Time.
We just had to post a picture of JanLee in the hotel hallway - it's just a little odd how low the ceiling is. It's higher in the rooms.
Well, this is it - our next post will be from home.
Quinn, don't forget - you need to go to bed at bedtime tonight and then get up to get us at the airport and then you can go back to bed after we all get home. We love you and we can't wait to see you. We are sending hugs and kisses and waving to you. We'll be home soon.

One more busy day in China

It's Monday night here and we've had a very busy day - very intentionally - trying to make the time pass quickly and still enjoy that we are here. This morning we needed to stay in our rooms until 10:00 just in case, as the China Team was having our paperwork approved by the U.S. consulate. Everything passed just fine. A bit later two of the China Team members took us and one other full family and part of another to a huge wholesale marketplace. It had just about everything you could image. We were really glad we got to go but we can totally understand why they don't make it a regular full group outing. It's so crowded and crazy. This afternoon we went over to the park across the street. This is not a local park like you may typically image - it's huge -- we maybe covered a quarter of it and we were there for a couple of hours. It's very pretty - lots of bamboo trees and everything is decorated for the Lunar New Year. It was a beautiful day and a great way to spend the afternoon. This evening we had our farewell dinner. It was a lovely meal, with lots of Chinese Rice Wine, and then karoke and dancing - We had a great time. One of the best things about being in such a small travel group is that we really got to know people in the group and we really feel like we got to know the China Team better, because of course they didn't have nearly as many people to look after as last time (36 families) As ready as we are to get home we can easily say that this has been another wonderful trip to China.

As a last note that we haven't been able to fit in anywhere else - we have been having some fun taking note of some of the more humorous English names given to stores and restaurants here in China - most of which we were unable to photograph but I did manage to catch this "Nice Shop" photo while going to the park today. Two of our favorite finds are a store in Chongqing named "Vague Concept" - I'm not sure what they sell but maybe they don't either. Last night JanLee spotted a restaurant that surely gets the best of reviews - "The Village of Gruel".

Quinn, we can't wait to get home and cook with you and your new spoon. We talk about you to everyone in the travel group and everyone has seen your pictures. They all think you're great. We will write another short blog in the morning as we don't leave for the airport until afternoon. Please listen to Grandma and Pa-Pa about the going to bed on Tuesday night and then getting up to come to the airport to get us. Our plane gets in very late and we want you to be awake when we get there - sort of think of if as a long nap at bedtime. We love you! Sending more and more hugs and kisses and we're waving.

Sunday

The day began with the surprise. Quinn took Papa to her kitchen this morning and did some cooking. She did some more with me this evening. We did go to church. I thought the service was excellent today. Michael has participated in a Presbytery event addressing racisim education and will be one of the people who helps lead workshops around the Presbytery. He sounds quite excited about it. Laura announced that the new Jokela will be a girl. She's very excited about that.

After nap today David brought in the easel, and we put it together tonight. There just hasn't been time to do that until now. Quinn was delighted. It comes with chalk for the chalkboard side and a little paper for drawing or painting. She tested both sides. We haven't painted yet.

Quinn was a very vivacious and happy girl today with lots of smiles and giggles. She pointed to the two surprises in the basket and talked about only two more. We both said "And that means only two days until Mommy and Baba get home!" She has an amazing grasp of the concept. We also started talking about Tuesday evening - going to bed for a while and then going to the airport. She thought we were a little crazy I think, but she didn't argue.

Six Banyan Tree Temple

This morning we did a bit more siteseeing. We went to the famous Six Banyan Tree Temple (Buddist). We received a blessing on our family, performed by a Buddist Monk, who was wearing a Nike ski cap. He was very sweet with our group. When we went with Quinn, 2+ years ago, we went on a holy day or festival day and it was very crowed so that you could barely move or breath for all of the incense buring. Today, I guess was a more normal day at the temple, not crowded but certainly not empty or quiet. The Lucky numbers in China are 3, 8 and 9 - so we bow 3 times after our blessing, and when we lit insense we lit 3 sticks and made a wish or prayer and bowed 3 times before placing it in the burning incense cart. After the temple we went to a government run shopping center where they ensure the quality. They do have a lot of very nice things. We bought a little and looked a lot. Indigo enjoyed the outing and then enjoyed a good nap in the room this afternoon. While she slept I started packing - just wanting to make sure I can fit everything in - we may have to buy another small piece of luggage -we'll see. This evening they took us on a River boat dinner cruise. I can't say much for the food - I had a protein bar back in the room later. But the boat ride itself and seeing all the lights was wonderful - chilly - but wonderful.
Indigo, continues to show us more of her personality everyday. She loves to laugh and has a very funny little giggle. She is also coming up with new sounds everyday. She makes a very good piglet sound and this evening started making a very good snake sound. She continues to babble a lot and likes singing - both listening to others and trying it herself. Maybe she and Quinn can have a band some day.

Quinn, we are so excited that you are getting everything ready for Indigo's birthday party. The hats look perfect! Are we going to make a ladybug cake like the one you had? We're also glad you are enjoying your basket of surprises for the countdown until we get home. There can't be too much left in that basket now. And just so you know, we also like to look back over all the pictures everytime we look at the blog. We love you, and miss you and we are so excited to come home to you. We are so very very proud of you - you really are a very big girl and a terrific big sister, Jie Jie. We're sending more hugs and kisses. And waving at you.