Guangzhou

We are enjoying our time in Guangzhou. It has changed a little bit since we were here last and it is fun exploring and walking around. There is now a Starbucks here!! Yay!! The coffee tastes just like it does at home. That's kind of nice when you are a little homesick :-).

Last night we took the kids on a river cruise down the Pearl River. We had a wonderful time and the city was lit up like Christmas!! It was really beautiful. The kids really enjoyed it too. We all had a wonderful time until Ren wanted to stick his head out the railing of the boat. I did not feel like jumping in the Pearl river to get him so I had to tell him no. Funny thing is he doesn't like to be told no. Mark (my hero) intervened and held Ren while he had a melt down, emotionally and literally. Unfortunately while Mark was holding him Ren also had a poopy diaper =O. Lets just say they both had to change their clothes. Mark was a very good sport about it and we all had a good laugh on the way home in the Taxi. I'm sure the Taxi driver thought we were crazy!

Ren's Mandarin for a 3.5 year old is incredible. He has long conversations with anyone he can and loves to talk to the Chinese girls. He is such a flirt ;-). He has gone from being able to communicate quite well to hardly at all with us. We tried to learn as much as we could before we came but it is very difficult for us to communicate in Mandarin so we have many tantrums. I can imagine how hard it is for him. We are also using sign language and he has picked up well on this and even makes up his own signs!!! He is a remarkable little boy. If anyone is wondering whether to learn Mandarin before being united with their older children I would say YES!

Today we go for Ren's medical exam and then more shopping.