I woke up at 6 to shower before the family was up. Like yesterday, KaiLi barely touched her breakfast. I figure, if she was hungry, she would eat. It was a buffet and she was offered a wide variety of food!
Fun with BaBa!
We meet Jack in the lobby at 9:00 to head to the zoo. We came here 3 years ago and it was just like I remembered. It was quite an educational experience. At one of the first exhibits, the lions, we weren't sure why a male and female were separated from the rest. Well, we soon figured out why when they started mating. Oh my! Maybe there will be a new baby lion in 2016!
There were lots of babies at the zoo. A baby monkey, giraffe, zebra, goat, they were so cute! In the children's area, the kids were able to feed the mountain goats and llamas; the kids loved it! Then it was off to the show. It wasn't what I was expecting (like the bird show in Dallas). It was an actually acrobatic show. First was a woman with a Chinese yo yo act. Next was a lady who spun plates on a stick while doing various gymnastic moves. The 3rd act was a man who would crack a really large whip. KaiLi didn't like the sound and would snuggle in with me. I just loved it! In his last trick, his assistant put a flower in her mouth for him to crack the petals off. Well, it didn't go as planned. It was like he realized his aim was off so he pulled back, but not before it hit her in the face. Oh man! She walked back by about twenty minutes later and appeared to be fine... Last was a guy who balanced on bricks and would shift from arm to arm pitting more bricks on and off all while in a head stand. Crazy impressive. But his wardrobe selection was quite interesting. I will leave it at that!
KaiLi's favorite was the large pond with white and black swans, ducks, and koi fish. Well when it was time to go, she wasn't having it. She went into full diva/tantrum mode. Jack tried to pick her up and she kicked and hit at him too. He said, "Whoa, the foster parents really spoiled this one!" I told him that is what I thought to. I told him about her screaming for MaMa, BaBa, and YeYe on the first night and how she seems to know she can cry to get what she wants. But that I even asked Mary to reconfirm the next day, but that she wasn't in a foster family. I told him about my theory that maybe she was with an unregistered family which is why there wasn't a record? He said with the way she interacts with us, other kids, and her temperament that he too would be shocked it she want in foster care. Well, at least I am not completely crazy. But we will never know.
We stayed at the zoo until 11:45 and headed back to the hotel. We sent the Dad's to McDonald's to grab lunch back at the room. KaiLi went down for her nap. We tried to sleep but it is tough when you are constantly asked, "How many more minutes?" by the child who has never napped!
At 3:00 we met again in the lobby to head over to Shamain Island. It was just as beautiful as I remembered with old colonial architecture. Like last time, there were all kinds of photo shoots taking place with bridal parties and models. With rain all week except for today, everyone had headed there this evening! This is the best place to shop for souvenirs! We got a wooden puzzle of the Chinese provinces, Christmas ornaments of the zodiac signs for each of the girls, a long strand with each of the 12 zodiacs that matches our Christmas stockings, a chess set made of boar bone (so they said!), an umbrella, two Chinese dolls, a Chinese shirt for Brandon, a bracelet for MeiLin, stamps with the girls names in Chinese, and some gifts.
We took a quick stroll over to the park, which faces an ocean bay. Such a beautiful site. Leila was so cute, she told the other kids, "Don't fall in the shui!" (Water) KaiLi got out of the stroller and asked BaBa to go walking with her. That was a first!
Then it was off to eat dinner at Lucy's. We sat at the same table as last time, and they still had the oldie but goodie songs playing. This place SO reminds me of my Mom, there is just this feeling there...of home. I hugged both of my baby girls, one on each side, very tightly. I wish she could see them smile, hear them laugh, watch their dance recitals, yell at them for being too loud. I wish...
We headed back to the hotel and got the kids down for the night. Thank you, Lord for blessing me with this beautiful family!
It looks like your trip is going very smoothly - and what a beautiful family you have! The girls are adorable, and it looks like KaiLi is adjusting quickly. What a wonderful story - thanks for keeping us all in the loop!
ReplyDelete