Steamy Sunday

Today, EJ's art school had its annual art show opening. The teacher, along with each artist, selects 4-5 of each artist's pieces for inclusion in the show. The teacher honors one of each artist's pieces with a blue ribbon. Here's EJ holding up her blue ribbon-winning piece:



And here it is, up close...two giraffes, done in pen:


A few of her other pieces include her chipmunk etching...

...her cardinal in colored pencil...

...and her pastel:

The show takes place at a restaurant in town. The doors opened at 9:30 for a preview, followed by the awards ceremony in the parking lot, which only lasted about 20 minutes. Unfortunately, it was SO hot out there that one person in the crowd collapsed in the heat. It was brutal. About halfway through the ceremony, K took Sophie to the truck for some air conditioning. After the ceremony, EJ and I joined them and waited for the parking lot to clear out. Then, we went inside for a closer look at the art and lunch.

After we got home, I took some pics of the girls in their new matching dresses:

Sophie couldn't resist running toward the camera:

And I couldn't resist taking a few pics of Sophie while she inhaled her yogurt this morning:

June 4, 2007 - Shopping in Guangzhou and Pearl River Cruise

One year ago today, on June 4th, 2007, we had a mostly free day. K had to stay in the hotel room for a few hours in the morning in the event that there were any questions while our guides were representing us at an appointment with the U.S. Consulate's office, so EJ and I decided to do some power shopping. We had fun walking around the island and discovered a wonderful collection of bronze statues that EJ had fun posing with:

Then, we went for a swim in the beautiful pool at the White Swan:

Sophie was hangin' in the room with dad:


That evening, we went on a Pearl River dinner cruise with most of our travelmates. Here's our guide Rose with some of the big sisters:

It was a beautiful evening, and Guangzhou was all lit up:

We finished off the evening with a little shopping and a visit to the Shamian Island Starbucks:

June 3, 2007 - Buddhist Temple

On Sunday, June 3, 2007 - one year ago today, we visited the Six Banyan Buddhist template, the oldest Buddhist temple in Guangzhou. Inside the gate was this little structure (don't know what it's called). If you could get a coin through the little hole in the top, the Buddha would bring you good luck. Emma lined up, gave it a toss, and it went in. In fact, she got two coins in, so she'll be extra lucky I guess.


This was was engraved with all the names of people who donated money to help rebuild the temple after a fire:

Here's Connie, our fashionable local guide in Guangzhou:

This Buddha was from Thailand:

Inside the largest temple were three golden Buddhas. In this temple, the babies received a traditional Buddhist blessing from the monks:

Outside the temple, EJ lit some incense:

Here's one of the monks:

This female Buddha is one of the few in China.

On the way back to the hotel, we stopped at a craft store. This gentleman carrved us some chops, rubbers stamps, with the girls' names in both English and Chinese.

This waterfall is in the lobby of the White Swan Hotel where we stayed:

June 2, 2007 - Doctor's appointment and pearl market

One year ago today, we had our first full day on Shamian Island in Guangzhou. The island sits in the Pearl River. All the buildings along the river were lit up like Vegas when we got to the hotel the night before. We got into the hotel in early evening, but really weren't hungry. I think we just grabbed some snacks from a little store at the hotel.

In the morning, I accompanied Sophie to her physical while K and EJ decided to explore off the island a bit (they were looking for a McD's!). A physical is required to make sure the babies are healthy before leaving China.




Sophie passed with flying colors and was very happy about that!

After lunch, the ladies and a few of the guys went to the Pearl Market, the largest pearl wholesaler in China. In this photo below, fellow adoptive mom A was placing her order, but notice the displays behind the counter and the BAGS of pearls of all shapes, sizes, and colors piled up on the floor behind her.

These two young ladies strung pearls for me while I watched. I purchased three strands and matching earrings for the girls and myself, as well as a strand for a friend's daughter who was graduating, and a strand for my niece who is getting married next weekend (we gave them to her while we were on vacation a few weeks ago!). I also bought a strand of turquoise and matching earrings from another shop. The market was amazing - six stories high and ALL JEWELRY stores. What fun!

That night, we ate dinner in the Italian Restaurant on the 2nd floor of the White Swan hotel with another family. Their older daughter, F and EJ had a waterfront table and liked watching the boats go by. I have to say that pasta tasted pretty good after 10 days of Chinese food!

June 1, 2007 - Travel to Guangzhou

One year ago today, we left Nanchang and flew to Guangzhou, the city through which all Chinese babies adopted by Americans must pass so that they can become citizens via the American Embassy there. Here we are at the Nanchang airport saying goodbye to our local guide, Shirley. Shirley apparently used to work for the Adoption Affairs office in Nanchang, so she had really good relationships there, as well as an amazing understanding of the adoption process. We really liked her!

Look where they took me today!

Today, Mommy and Daddy took EJ and me to a really cool park called Storyland. EJ says that it's a tradition to go each year, but last year Mommy and Daddy didn't take her...instead, they all came to China to meet me! Anyway, I really, really liked it there and thought I would share some pictures of what I did there.

EJ showed me how to milk a cow. I was surprised when it mooed at me!


Then, I got to drive a tractor through a farm! This was so much fun that I really put up a fuss when it was time to get off.

I also rode horses on the merry-go-round. I laughed all the way through this.

We also rode in a pumpkin coach up to see a princess in a castle, and then Mommy took this picture of her two princesses:



I sat on the princess's throne. She'd better watch out...I want her job!

Then, EJ wanted to ride some water rides that looked like fun, but there's some rule about me not being big enough. So, Mommy took me to kiddy land. There, I sat on this tuffet (what is that anyway?) and this big ugly spider came down to sit beside me. Even though I was very brave, you can see that I made sure I leaned a little out of his way when he came down. I wasn't about to take my eyes off him!

Then, there's this rhyme that ends with "...nine, ten, the big fat hen"?

I also liked this big piano keyboard that made the bells chime:



Peter Pumpkin-Eater and his wife live here:



And then, I even got to meet Mother Goose, who let me pet the goose!



Finally, Sissy and I posed with Humpty Dumpty before we left.

Bye, Humpty! See you next year!

And now, a note from Mommy:

Yeah, I know, I'm like DAYS behind with my one-year-later photos. I was busy packing Thursday night and we left right after work on Friday. I'll try to catch up tomorrow.