Guangzhou 11/4- 11/5

On our first full day in Guangzhou we went to the Six Banyan Temple, Chen Academy and a government run shop. We had done all of these things last time but the day we were there it was one of the Buddha's birthdays so there were tons of people there. This time it was nice and empty so we were able to enjoy the temple and actually walk around. There were alot of things we missed seeing the last time.

After the temple we went to the Chen Academy which is now a museum where they show pottery, furniture, jade etc.

After our short stop it was time to head to shopping! Oh yhea I was ready. This time I knew what I was looking for. No junk! I bought things the kids could have when they are older. A wedding box for Jaden, a nice box for Warren, a mahjong set, Chinese flute, etc. Of course I had to buy the traditional clothes for both the kids. I was pretty happy with my haul! We ended the day with dinner and a walk by the swimming pool, followed by a bath!

11/5 brought with it the not so fun medical exam! Somehow Rusty got out of Jaden's medical exam and he was also able to worm his way out of Warren's! Warren is not a fan of doctors. The minute they walked in the room he freaked! He is still doing that now that he is home! This time we had to get a TB skin test which we did not have to do with Jaden since she was under two. That was the worst part!

The rest of the day we just kinda hung out at the hotel and relaxed. A lot of the families went on the Pearl River cruise but we had been there and done that and did not need to do it again!

Hello Guangzhou!!! 11/3

Finally we were in Guangzhou! There is just something about that town that just makes the adoptive parent smile! Maybe its the fact that you are so close to the end I don't know. The flight to Guangzhou was pretty painless. Warren did great and so did Jaden. We had the help of the three Chinese men behind us keeping the kids entertained! I don't know if it was much help or not because they kept getting Warren wound up! One we landed in Guangzhou we headed to baggage claim. We got a little worried because we got our luggage but every family was missing at least one piece and the belt was empty but after a while here came the rest of the luggage and the strollers! Yhea!!!

We were met by our guides Jason and Kathy. I will say I was so upset when I found out that we were not going to have the same guides that we did when we adopted Jaden but I have to say now I LOVED Jason and Kathy!!! They were great! I was able to see one of our guides we had back in 2009 Jocelyn! She was happy to get to see Jaden and she was the same happy Jocelyn I remember, only this time she wasn't pregnant! Once we got to Guangzhou it was a 40 minute ride to the hotel. Another thing I was upset about for this trip was that we could not stay at the White Swan hotel because it was being renovated. It is just a right of passage for an adoptive parent to stay at the White Swan. Once we got to the China Hotel all thoughts of the White Swan vanished away! The hotel was super nice and the beds were super SOFT! The rooms were also bigger than the WS! The only downside was that they did not have tater tots and chicken wings on the breakfast bar like the White Swan! Oh well, I dealt with it!

Once we were settled we went down to the Market Fresh Restaurant in the hotel. We were told it was good and cheap. Well they were wrong on both things! It was not good and it was not cheap! The kids had apple juice that cost $9 a piece! Our bill was over $100 US! Needless to say we never ate there again! But I did get a cute picture of Warren and Lucy holding hands!

We ended the night with a short walk to the 7-11! I think China is the only place you will see someone mopping the sidewalk!

We also had an interesting night in our hotel when a call girl decided that Rusty must have ordered a little something special. She kept coming to our room and knocking and trying to come in. Rusty kept telling her no but she wouldn't leave. After the fourth time she knocked I went to the door and told her to leave. She finally took the hint! Something like this has happened both times we have adopted from China! I think it must be Rusty! :-)

Henan 11/2- 11/3

So November 2nd was a free day! We had no plans which was nice. We slept in late, had a quick breakfast and then headed to the playroom on the 5th floor. Warren made his mark by tearing the place up!

When Rusty got in the ball pit I think Lucy became a little concerned about who her Warren was going home with!!!

After a quick nap we headed to the Walmart and pizza hut.

We ended the day back at the hotel packing up because the next day was travel day!

The next day was the day we finally left Henan! We had done everything we needed to do and we were ready to move onto our next stop!

This is how Jaden watched cartoons! I think she thought if she got close enough she might be able to understand what they were saying! Of course before we left we had to get pictures of Warren and Lucy on the staircase!

Finally the time came to head to the airport and say Goodbye to Henan!!!