Wednesday June 17th

This morning we had a free morning and didn't have to do anything official until 1:30. We had a lazy morning then went to the pool for a bit. Came back and had lunch then got ready to go.

This afternoon we went for Liya's visa medical (by the way we are using Liya in the blog but she still wants to go by FunMan so that is what we are still calling her for now)  She passed the medical exam with flying colors however she will need to go see the eye doctor as soon as we get home. We knew she had some eye problems but her one eye is really bad. She already wears a patch two hours a day to strengthen it.   After the medical exam Simon was nice enough to run us by a store where we could get jack some Premier League soccer uniforms. Then onto the passport office. She signed her own name on her passport which is so cool to watch her write her name in Chinese characters. Here we are in front of the passport office.  We tried to take a picture of her signing her passport, but we were scolded for using a camera in a government office.

Liya looks a little grumpy in this picture but it's because she missed her nap today. She actually fell asleep in the van. Speaking of the van we made our trip all afternoon without any puking!! Yay! Today we used the Dramamine and sea sickness wrist bands.

After the passport office we returned home and made our daily, yes daily trip to the supermarket to get the necessities. I thought when I got mike 6 twelve ounce coke zeros yesterday it would last 2 days but they were gone by this afternoon. Mike has been satisfied with the coke zeros here, but it's a weak substitute for diet Mountain Dew which can't be found in China.  The closest we found was regular Mountain Dew.  In Beijing we could get diet coke but here it's only Coke zero (Beth Ritchey you would be in heaven).

 

For dinner we decided to try Simon's favorite Thai restaurant across the street from the hotel. He told us to go between 6:30 and 7 because they also had music during that time. Well we walked in and were greeted by music. Most of the greeters spoke great English. After we sat down and ordered, the music continued and the waitress came over and grabbed Taylor, jack and grandma up to make a Congo line to dance with them( see below). Liya wanted nothing to do with the Congo line and I think she was thoroughly embarrassed.  That or she just wanted to eat her dinner which had already been served. After that they got mike and I up dancing but luckily we have no pictures of that. Only video.

 

All the ladies at the restaurant loved Tay and Jack's hair. They kept rubbing it and running their fingers through jack's hair.

One thing I will share about Liya and I think most Chinese people. They are not afraid to ask embarrassing questions or make statements that we would never say to someone in the US. Liya has already told Simon I have a big nose and then today she patted mike's stomach and made a big circle to show how big it is. She also made a comment and pointed to all the freckles on my chest today while we were at the pool :)

Kids all continue to get along well. Mike and jack keep her entertained with all their silliness. Here she is playing Lego cars with jack!

 

Tomorrow we will drive to the orphanage and spend one night. I hope we have wifi there at the hotel. Otherwise I won't be posting again until Friday. Wish us luck with the car trip!