Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Today was a day of laughter for our family. We began our day
with an early breakfast where octopus and eel were on the menu. ICK! We pretty much ate the eggs and bun. Then we had a couple
of hours to just hang out as a family.
At 10am we met in the lobby for a trip to the People’s Park.
Lexi fell asleep on the bus and then snoozed through most of the
tour. Zoe had loads of fun walking around and holding hands with
her friend Olivia. They had bonded the day before in the
playroom. At the park we saw some beautiful scenery and came
across a playground unlike any you would find in the states. All
the play equipment was being utilized by Chinese adults to get
exercise. There were all sorts of interesting things Zoe found
she could try from standing on moving chains with foot holes, to
leg presses, to rowing machines she could not reach because she
was too small, to monkey bars. The children (including the big
ones like the Daddies) had loads of fun experimenting with this
playground and seeing what they could do with the different
pieces of equipment. This was where the laughter began.
After we moved on from the playground, the children were all
thrilled to see an area with some amusement rides. Zoe and Daddy
rode together on a mini car roller coaster of sorts. Not to
worry though, it was fairly slow moving, loud, and lots of fun.
The ride was obviously designed for children so we parents found
ourselves giggling as we watched Rob perched in the tiny car
with Zoe who really wanted to ride with her Daddy. From there we
moved on to a carousel where the children all once again went
for a ride with their Daddies. It was during this ride that Lexi
woke up, so I expertly fixed her a bottle while taking photos of
her Daddy and sister. I think I am getting the hang of being a
mother of two.
After the carousel, we walked past a ride I had never seen
before. It was called “Big Ball Walking on Water.” Rob felt
adventuresome and decided to give it a try. I don’t think I have
ever laughed so much in my life. Rob and Mark, Olivia’s Daddy,
were put inside these giant clear bubbles and rolled onto the
water. It was beyond hysterical to watch them struggle to stand
up and then fall down repeatedly as their giant bubbles splashed
over the water. I laughed so hard that I was crying!
After leaving the park we took a trip to a porcelain shop. On
the way Mary told us a bit about how porcelain is made and about
JingDeZhen, the porcelain capitol of Jiangxi. She said so many
wonderful things about Lexi’s birthplace that Rob finally
interrupted with a puffed up chest and said, “Yep! That’s where
our daughter was born! The porcelain capitol of China … pretty
awesome! Where were YOUR children born?” The response was
laughter from our travel mates who have all come to understand
how silly my husband can be.
In the porcelain shop I discovered I have excellent and
expensive taste. And we had to remind Zoe that there was no
dancing because we didn’t want her to be a “bull in a porcelain
shop.” Zoe picked out a lovely set of three porcelain boxes for
herself, Lexi, and me to keep. They have adorable panda bears on
them.
When we returned to our hotel room, we ate a lunch of peanut
butter and jelly. Lexi munched down on noodles which she
thoroughly enjoyed. After that, Zoe watched a Dora DVD while
Lexi and I lay down for a nap. Rob went to purchase a small
suitcase. When he returned he took Zoe down to the playroom.
They decided to go for a swim so he bought them both swimsuits
which I understand was hysterical. Rob’s suit was in their
largest size, triple X, and was labeled “For Fatso.” I am
laughing even as I write that. :) When he put it on, it was so
small that it looked more like a speedo than a regular suit. I
am going to HAVE to get pictures of him wearing the suit before
we leave!
Mary arranged for a pizza to be delivered to our room. It tasted
like pizza we can get in the US and it was delicious! After
dinner we spent some time together as a fmily again. Lexi
continues to cry whenever Zoe or Rob get too close to her. This
is especially tough on Zoe who wants desperately to hold and
carry her sister. She told me she does not like how I have to
hold Lexi all the time and cannot hold her. Lexi did let Zoe
give her a bottle last night as I held her in my arms so that
was good. And at bedtime, after giving her a snack, Lexi
actually went to sleep in her crib. Zoe was thrilled when I
asked if she would sleep in the bed with me. She is craving
Mommy time and it has been tricky making that happen with a baby
who is so strongly bonded to me that she won’t let anyone else
hold her. I look forward to the day Lexi allows her sister to
show affection and love to her. It’s going to be really special
when that finally happens. |
On the monkey bars.
Big goofy man in "Big Ball Walking on Water."
Mommy and Lexi.
Noodles ... YUM!!!
Our beautiful girls. |
