Finally - Some Time and Energy to Blog!

Hello from a happy boy in Guangzhou!!!!   We have been so busy, I haven't had time to blog. Especially since we ALL go to bed at 8:00! 

A run down of the last few days:

Tuesday was a full day of paper work.  On Wednesday morning we had the amazing honor of attending a Children's Day program at Liam's orphanage - Guangzhou Social Welfare Institute. 

The program was wonderful with dances by the children and a traditional dance by the teachers.   It turns out that Liam and the twins in our group (the only 3 children in our large group from Guangzhou orphanage) were in the Half the Sky program.  Half the Sky is an excellent charity that builds additions to orphanages and provides teacher and nanny training

 to Chinese orphanages.   

Even though Liam has been in foster care for the past 9 months except for the night before we got him when he was back at the orphanage - all of his teachers and nannies remembered him.  But when one of them would hold him- he would cry and reach for us.  While I hesitated to take him back him back to the orphanage, I think it provided closure for him- an opportunity to say good-bye and see that he would still be leaving with us.  

We were then able to visit his finding place where his birth parents placed him so that he would be found and taken to an orphanage to find his forever parents.  We have film footage of his orphanage and finding place. 

Wednesday afternoon was more paperwork and on Thursday, Daddy took Kyra and Liam to the pool while I went to the jade and pearl market and walked though the local herb market. 

Friday, we went shopping and for Liam's Buddhist blessing (picture below) and Saturday we went to the playground which is also full of older folks on adult exercise machines. Today we are just hanging out.   We have our consulate appointments on Monday and Tuesday. 

Here are some of our favorite photos!

Liam fell asleep on my lap at Lucy's restaurant where we usually have lunch.  It's in a lovely park next to the White Swan where you'll find locals playing a game like hackey sack, but with shuttlecocks, people doing tai chi, ballroom dancing and singing in groups. 
Liam knew right away what to do on a sliding board and loved it!

Liam is phoning home on his cell phone.  He loves buttons.  He opens up his phone, pushes the buttons, puts it to his ear and says "Why!" which is Cantonese for Hello.

Kyra in her new traditional tiger hat at Lucy's restaurant!

Liam has gotten better with his big sister - less aggressiveness - he's beginning to figure out we have enough love and attention for both of them I hope!  But he still hits and pushes and Kyra has been so patient that she has earned sainthood.  Here is Sister Kyra!

Sister Kyra loves pushing her baby brother in his stroller. They're dressed in  matching clothes here!

Little brother Liam had a great time spinning Kyra around in a spinning chair at the playground.    Playing together!   I love it!

Kyra and Liam feeding the koi at the White Swan. 

Our happy family in front of the waterfall in the White Swan lobby.

On Friday, we went to the Six Banyan Tree Temple where Liam had his Buddhist Blessing.  We do this out of respect for his Chinese culture.   Liam was the perfect gentleman sitting quietly and watching through the whole ceremony.  

Our little Buddhist monk!