Beijing

We made it to China! The flights were long, but ok. There was hardly anyone on either of them. So far we have been to the Forbidden City, a silk factory, Tienanmen Square, and took a richshaw ride through the Hutong. Today we are to see the Great Wall, a jade factory, acrobat show and The Cube and The Bird's Nest.
I am attaching pictures of Katie and I on the riskshaw, our rickshaw driver and part of the Forbidden City.

China Itinerary

1/25-1/26 Detroit>Tokyo>Beijing
1/27 -1/28 Tour Beijing (Great Wall, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, etc..)
1/29 Leave Beijing for Wuhan, Hubei
1/30 Meet Mara!
1/31 Complete adoption registration and notarization
2/1-2/2 Free Days
2/3 Leave for Guangzhou
2/4 Mara's physical
2/5 Free Day (shopping!)
2/6 TB test checked
2/7 Consulate Appointment
2/8 Leave for Hong Kong via train
2/9 Leave Hong Kong for Detroit

Winter Birthdays

We get slammed with winter birthdays. Chandler in December, Mia and Tim in January, and Carter in Febuary. We always make the day special. Wake them up singing happy birthday, make their favorite meal for birthday supper and of course cake and ice cream. Generally we have a family party (just us and grandma) and as the kids get older they have friends over for a party.

New pictures of our little lady

She is holding an album of pictures that we sent to her. I am beyond excited! We will see you in a matter of days, little one.

Tickets

Purchased the plane tickets today. I am not brave enough to do that on my own. Our agency recommended a couple of different travel agents. I used Todd Gallinek again. He was great. Got the tickets for much cheaper than I could of. We are heading out of Detroit>Tokyo>Beijing. On the return Hong Kong>Detroit.

Mara is 2 1/2, so I am trying to think of activities for her to do on that long flight home. I have a Magna Doodle, Mrs. Potato Head, crayons/coloring book, Hot Wheels cars. Thought about the little containers of Play-Doh. I am open to suggestions.

I feel like I should be packing or cleaning. (Mara's bag has been packed for a month).

OMG!

My brain is swirling right now. Very close to booking the flights, should finalize that today/tomorrow. So many little things that need to fall into place in the next 20 days. That's right we are outta here on Jan 25th!

Up until this point the adoption has felt like a steady jog. That all changed on Tuesday, now it feels like an all out sprint. (The kind where someone is chasing you.)

The best 2 letters

TA!