Happy Birthday Steven!
We are so grateful that we are together, as a family, for this milestone day! When we got Steven's paperwork, we thought there was a pretty good chance we'd be celebrating together (if the paperwork came together on schedule), and after months of hoping, waiting and wishing... it just meant a lot to us to be with him on his birthday.
Unfortunately, Matt's been pretty darn sick all night and most of the day. But, today is a rest day on our calendar so he was able to sleep and recover without trying to drag himself to a "must do" appointment. Today was built into the schedule to allow families to get the results of the TB test that Steven didn't have to take (two years and up take that one).
Giving that she was single parenting today, Melinda skipped the trip to the wholesale pearl market (we weren't planning on buying jewelry anyhow) and walked to Yuexie Park, which is very close to the hotel. It's a huge, green park with a pond and paddle boats, tons of walking trails and a myriad of sculptures and reliefs based on local folklore and history. Truly, it gives New York's Central Park a run for its money.
Steven loved throwing his head back in the carrier and watching the canopy of leaves above rustle and sway. He smiled and laughed through most of the walk. The girls alternately loved exploring, and hated the sweat-inducing weather. Despite weathering many a summer just like this in Virginia, California has turned them into weather snobs.
Later in the evening, when Matt was feeling slightly recovered, we ordered in room service for a birthday dinner. We picked out a cake from a little bakery in the hotel for Steven to enjoy. We didn't have candles, but Steven grinned and smiled through his birthday song. This girls had been singing to him all day, and he loved the attention.
He was WAY more interested in squishing the cake than eating it - but when it's your party, you do what you want.
Happy Birthday little man! We are so blessed to have you in our family, and we love you tons. Next year, lots of tacos and a bigger cake for you to squish. We promise!
We are so grateful that we are together, as a family, for this milestone day! When we got Steven's paperwork, we thought there was a pretty good chance we'd be celebrating together (if the paperwork came together on schedule), and after months of hoping, waiting and wishing... it just meant a lot to us to be with him on his birthday.
Unfortunately, Matt's been pretty darn sick all night and most of the day. But, today is a rest day on our calendar so he was able to sleep and recover without trying to drag himself to a "must do" appointment. Today was built into the schedule to allow families to get the results of the TB test that Steven didn't have to take (two years and up take that one).
Giving that she was single parenting today, Melinda skipped the trip to the wholesale pearl market (we weren't planning on buying jewelry anyhow) and walked to Yuexie Park, which is very close to the hotel. It's a huge, green park with a pond and paddle boats, tons of walking trails and a myriad of sculptures and reliefs based on local folklore and history. Truly, it gives New York's Central Park a run for its money.
Steven loved throwing his head back in the carrier and watching the canopy of leaves above rustle and sway. He smiled and laughed through most of the walk. The girls alternately loved exploring, and hated the sweat-inducing weather. Despite weathering many a summer just like this in Virginia, California has turned them into weather snobs.
Crossing an ornamental bridge
Adelaide's pose of the day...
she thinks really hard about these,
which cracks us up. Cute girl.
One of the many walls depicting historical as
well as mythological characters.
We have no idea what these dudes
were all about, but there were a lot of them.
These green leaves have brilliant purple undersides.
It was cool enough to warrant a rare
Eleanor requested photo.
Tranquility and quiet in a city of millions
Loved this one. It was called the "Fairy Court"
and had something to do with the legend of
how the Cantonese people obtained rice... we think.
Why so many stairs, China? Everywhere
we go. Hundreds of stairs.
The five ram statue is one of the symbols
of the city. We felt we needed a picture,
since we had to climb a few hundred
stairs to make it up here.
Later in the evening, when Matt was feeling slightly recovered, we ordered in room service for a birthday dinner. We picked out a cake from a little bakery in the hotel for Steven to enjoy. We didn't have candles, but Steven grinned and smiled through his birthday song. This girls had been singing to him all day, and he loved the attention.
He was WAY more interested in squishing the cake than eating it - but when it's your party, you do what you want.
Broth for Dad and heartier fair for the rest of the group.
Steven was glad to get Dad back.
The girls picked out a banana caramel
chocolate cake from the bakery downstairs.
Adelaide said what she liked most was the "cheese on top."
We were unable to convince her it was white chocolate.
Squish, splat, smash, smear...
Also, flinging it at mom. Another
awesome thing to do with cake!
Happy Birthday little man! We are so blessed to have you in our family, and we love you tons. Next year, lots of tacos and a bigger cake for you to squish. We promise!
Happy birthday Steven!!!
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